BRAVE Megan Parker must feel like she's spent half her short life on operating room tables.

The youngster was born with a rare spine disorder, which left her back bent and twisted.

She underwent her first operation when she was just six months old. Since then, Megan has been under the surgeon's knife more than 40 times - despite having only just celebrated her 13th birthday.

Metal rods were put into her back to straighten the spine, and she has worn a plastic cast for most of her life to protect her fragile body.

Last year, the Gazette revealed how parents Bob and Tina were told their daughter had less than a 50-50 chance of survival after her lung collapsed, following an operation when she was only ten.

But now, Megan is finally on the road to recovery after a potentially life-changing operation.

Earlier this month, surgeons carried out bone grafts and pinned new titanium rods in place, during a complex six-hour operation to twist the teenager's body back into shape.

She spent four days in intensive care at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, where Princess Eugenie once underwent back surgery.

Mum Tina said: "They rotated Megan's spine and rib cage because she was twisted.

"When she woke up she said her body felt all hard at the front. I said: It's supposed to - those are your ribs!'"

Megan was gutted when surgeons said she needed another operation to remove a slight hump.

"She just cried," said Tina, of Rowhedge Road, Colchester. "She said: "I'll live with it - I don't care.' "She says there are other people worse off than her."

Now, the St Helena schoolgirl hopes to throw away her cast for ever and start leading a normal life like her friends.

The plucky youngster had already fulfilled one of her dreams before the operation, following in younger brother Zack's footsteps. She went to watch him karting on his birthday and had to have a go herself.

Megan hopes to go back to school in September. She currently has lessons at home using a webcam, so she can still see her schoolchums.

She is looking forward to playing with her pals and swimming on holiday.

Megan's parents are planning a special shopping trip when she recovers. The surgery was so effective she came out of the operating theatre more than an inch taller than when she went in.

"None of her clothes fit any more - and she deserves a treat," said Tina.