Day 15

Had both good and bad news today: my LP viral PCR came back negative for all infections screened for. This tells us it's not one of the 9 main viruses looked for (but there are hundreds of others that weren't looked for) - but only the ones with treatments available are included in the screen. So now I've reached the end of the road for what the medical team can do for me, so it's up to neuro to get scratching their heads again. On the bright side, this means I no longer need acyclovir so I don't need a Hickman line inserted.

Despite the lack of theatre visits, today has been quite a heavy morphine day. I'm getting intermittent bursts of agony in the 2nd-5th toes and front sole of my right foot - it seems to be linked to touch, however light. The pain feels like I've been walking in snow for ages and my foot has gone numb, but then I've gone home and warmed it up in front of a fire. It's like shingles has taken steroids and come back for another pop.

I had my 1st physio session today, too. We didn't try any steps because my foot has moulded itself in a very odd position (I'm getting a sexy little leg splint to match my chair, frame and stick) but I can do tiny (seriously minuscule) amounts of movement now, which is great news. I've been given some exercises to try to keep the nerve pathways active, and I'm going to try to do as much passive movement of it as possible.

I'm hoping an Addenbrooke's transfer might happen soonish - I'm definitely becoming too institutionalised in here!

Love Emily x