KEY POINTS:
The mother of one of the 43 patients who faces the risk of being infected with deadly brain disease CJD last night said it would be "a terrible way to die".
Monique Lambermon had the grim task of breaking the news to her 21-year-old daughter that, following her recent surgery for a brain tumour, there was now a risk, albeit remote, that she had contracted Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
Danielle Lambermon, 21, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour, had an operation last month at Auckland City hospital.
On Sunday, she found out she may have been infected with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
She told TV3 News she went into shock when her mother broke the news to her.
"You wouldn't have thought anything like that would have happened," she said.
"You won't find out for another 10 to 30 years if you do have it, so it's sort of a bit of a waiting game - but if you don't have it you sort of worry about nothing."
Her mother added: "They say the risk is very, very low, but it's a risk.
"It's a terrible, terrible disease and it's a terrible, terrible way to die," she said.
The family said they had nothing but praise for the surgeons.
"I do know they are trying to do everything to the best of their ability ... they are trying their best and that's all you can do," said Danielle.
She said it would be good if she could be put in touch with the other patients for support and hoped the medical authorities would help the set up a support group.
