Canadian woman with SJS goes home from hospital
May 4th, 2009 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
Good news for Canadian resident Lisa, the little sister of Dundas Star News managing editor Mark Cripps. The woman was diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) two-plus weeks ago after taking antibiotics that had been prescribed to her following minor surgery. She suffered a rare but life-threatening severe adverse reaction to the antibiotics, SJS, which resulted in rashes all over her body that blistered over and caused her skin to peel off in sheets. After a two-week stay in the hospital, where she was treated as if she had suffered serious burns, the woman was able to go home.
Cripps has been sharing updates on his sister’s condition in his newspaper column. This latest update continues to show the family’s optimism for her full recovery. Her doctors say it could take six months for her body to heal completely.
“Skin continues to peel away from her body and the new layer is extremely sensitive,” Cripps writes. “She will work with a dermatologist on best procedures to expedite recovery. The precautions she takes with her new skin will be similar to how a mother cares for her newborn, especially with heat and the sun.”
Cripps gives credit to the hospital staff for taking good care of his sister. “I know a lot of people think the health care system is in crisis. All I can say is my sister received an amazing level of care, from initial prognosis of the SJS in Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie to the specialized burn unit at Sunnybrook Hospital,” he writes.
Lisa deserves much credit too. Her strong will and positive spirit surely helped bring on a speedy recovery.
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