"My name is Alexis. I am 12 years old. I love to eat good food and hang out with my friends. One day, I started feeling sick and this got worse over the week. I had headaches, felt quite hot, was dizzy, and slept more than usual. I didn’t know what was wrong, so I ended up going to the hospital. I had to do lots of different scans and tests which showed me I had something called tuberculosis and that the scans of my brain showed it wasn’t working as it should, and they saw my brain had an infarct. Being in the hospital was quite scary, and the infarct in my brain made it harder to write and walk like I used to. I started learning about what happened to me and what this thing called ‘TB’ was. They told me it wasn’t my fault that I had gotten ‘TB’. During my time at Pinckney Ward, lots of people helped me get better. I had been in the hospital for almost a month. I started to get to know my amazing team that helped to explain what I needed to do to get better. They helped me through difficult times like when I had to do blood tests, as they always knew I could do it! Then after a month of being in the hospital, I was told I could go home!!! I was so excited as I wanted to get back to school and see all my friends. I was not happy when they told me I had to come back into the hospital and that the insulin in my body wasn’t working as well as it should, and insulin is important for energy! So, I got to meet so many new members of my team and had some more blood tests. To help with blood tests I met a new member of my team, Holly!! She helped explain all the big feelings- like worry, upset, and anger. She also told me how anxiety works.
"I started going to Tadworth (The Children’s Trust) for my rehabilitation after my discharge from the hospital (St George’s Hospital) They helped me get better. I enjoyed my hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy sessions. I loved the environment. It was peaceful and calm. My team at Tadworth is welcoming and helpful. They helped me to get better with my handwriting, my speech, strength, do little things for myself which I love to do, and my mobility. I am forever grateful.
"I have done so well! I have made lots of good progress and slowly I have been able to start doing some of the things I enjoy like going to school and participating in some activities. It is still important for me to take a rest. There might be things I can't do so I need to make sure that I look after my body. I know that I have overcome so much, so if I keep working with my amazing team supporting me then I will continue to get better."
Francisca, Alexis' mum, says: "Alexis was 11 years old fit and well with a wide range of activities and interests when she started to develop pain in her hip and legs which caused her to walk on her sideways. She was seen by the GP and an Xray was done around her pelvis, the result came back normal according to the GP. A few weeks later, Alexis complained of headaches after a school trip to O2 to sing in a choir. Again, Alexis was seen by her GP and a blood test was requested which she got appointment for on 1st of March 2024.
"1st March never came. Alexis was in so much pain beforehand. We went to the hospital on the 11th of February but there was no diagnosis confirmed, and we were sent home and advised to keep her hydrated.
"On Tuesday 13th of February, Alexis complained of head and neck pain, so I took her back to the hospital to inform them that Alexis was not getting better. Upon the initial examination, we were told to keep Alexis hydrated and were given paracetamol and a syringe to be given to Alexis and water to drink. The plan was to send Alexis home. A consultant at the hospital examined Alexis again and suggested an MRI. I really wanted Alexis to get well and have peace in her body, so I agreed.
"The MRI results, according to the doctor, said there was fluid on Alexis' brain that wasn't normal, and she will need to be admitted. Wednesday 14th of February, CT scan and lumbar puncture were done.
"On Thursday 15th of February, Alexis was transferred to St George’s Hospital with disseminated TB with tuberculomas in her brain, chest, and liver. On 16th February, Alexis had a seizure following acute neurological change noted including right-sided weakness and asymmetrical pupils.
"On 23rd February MRI showed acute left thalamic infarct on the background of features consistent with intracranial TB. Alexis had right right-sided weakness and coordination difficulties, fatigue, slowed speech and word-finding difficulties, and higher-level cognitive difficulties. These acquired difficulties are impacting on her function and independence in self-care, school and leisure. Also impacting on her mood and self esteem.
"After Alexis' discharge on 28th March, She was referred to Tadworth (The Children’s Trust) for rehabilitation upon an assessment. Alexis started her rehabilitation on 2nd May 2024. It has been a fruitful journey with the help of the dedicated team who are welcoming and helpful. Alexis has improved on her difficulties due to her brain injury by the excellent care received from Tadworth. We are forever grateful to Ruth, Michelle, Savannah, and everyone who has helped in Alexis' recovery."
