“It is absolutely amazing that within three weeks of being admitted to ICU, she will be able to walk out of the hospital (with the help of a walker),” Lisa writes in a Dec. 17 update. Doctors say that Kim’s fast recovery has been staggering. One doctor told the family that when he first saw Kim when she admitted to the hospital weeks ago, he believed her chances of survival were only 30 percent.

Many who contract TEN, a more serious version of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), do not survive. SJS and TEN are rare but serious and potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity disorders that affect the skin and mucous membranes, causing the top layers of skin to peel away and the eyes and mouth to become blistered. SJS and TEN can be caused by an adverse reaction to common antibiotics and over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and Children’s Motrin.

Last month just before Kim was diagnosed, Elizabeth Patton, a 17-year-old girl from Brentwood, Tenn., was hospitalized with TEN. Her story ended differently. Just days after Thanksgiving, Elizabeth lost her battle to the disorder, leaving behind a family that vows to warn others about the seriousness of SJS and TEN.

According to Lisa’s updates, Kim was taken out of her drug-induced coma last week, though she remained in the hospital’s burn unit., unable to see guests. She began getting around with the help of a walker and was finally able to visit with her children. In a sense, she willed herself well, turning down morphine and working hard to recuperate, so that she could be home with her family for Christmas.

Call it a Christmas miracle, but it appears Kim’s Christmas wish is coming true.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Canadian TEN victim leaves hospital in time for Christmas

Elizabeth had been diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a severe form of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) in which the top layer of skin detaches from lower layers of skin all over the body. SJS and TEN is caused by severe reaction to certain drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and anticonvulsant medications. The incidence of TEN cases are reported as between 0.4 and 1.2 cases per million each year.

TENS generally affects the mucous membranes and is usually preceded by 1 to 2 weeks of fever. A rash forms and within hours the skin becomes painful and can easily be peeled away from the underlying dermis. The mouth can become blistered and eroded and the eyes can become blistered and ulcerated.

Elizabeth had been sent to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to “ride out” the illness. But as the disease progressed, she was put into a drug-induced coma to help shield her from the excruciating pain. She spent two weeks in the coma before she lost her battle to TEN. Her parents say they do not know what caused the severe epidermal reaction that led to her death, but say they are committed to helping educate other parents of the terrible reaction that killed their daughter.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Tennessee girl, 17, loses battle with TEN