If it’s not one thing…

… it’s another. The antibiotics Jo is taking to fight infection in the wound from her cranioplasty seem to have a beneficial effect on that area, with no visible signs of the infection in the form of discharge any more.
Unfortunately they seem to have had a negative effect on her kidneys, which have only been functioning at 30% efficiency for some years prior to the craniectomoy in 2008.
She now has severe stomach pains, pains in her back around the kidney area and general pain all over her body. She also has really bad gout in her right leg. All this is consistent with hyperuricemia, which is caused by an excess of uric acid in her blood. The kidneys filter uric acid to the blood so it looks as though their function has been impaired by the antibiotics.

Still progressing

Jo had a good physiotherapy session today, walking from the front door to the kitchen with the assistance of the zimmer frame and the two physiotherapists. She did not require assistance to lift and place her left foot at all. The only support she required was encouragement and cajoling to help her navigate corners, which is when Jo becomes anxious and her muscles tense up.

Once in the kitchen Jo performed several sidesteps. She is gaining power making sideways movements with the left foot but did require more assistance with this.

Fighting infection

We went to Addenbrookes today to see Jo’s neurosurgeon. The wound from her cranioplasty has not healed and is weeping. The neurosurgeon confirmed it was an infection and prescribed a six-week course of strong antibiotics. Let us hope that clears the infection as the alternative is to take the plate out.

Physiotherapy starts again

The first physiotherapy session since the 9th of December last year. Jo has a bad cold so only managed a few steps but did perform two stand and step transfers to and from her chair. She stepped backward for these, the first time I have seen her do this and an encouraging sign. The physiotherapists thought Jo showed definite improvement and talked about her doing transfers like this with the carers in the near future.