My mother had an operation (bladder) 4 weeks ago, and has had extreme difficulty breathing since. X ray images reveal bilateral elevated diaphragm. When she was in her 20's, a car accident left her with several cervical bones fused together- C3 to 6 I think. Is it possible that during intubation for the op last month they may have damaged the phrenic nerve? I understand that the Phrenic nerve exits the spinal column at C5? Under anaesthetic, she would have been unable to tell them they were hurting her neck.