Hydrocephalus, taken from the Greek language " Hydro " meaning water and "cephalus" meaning head. A condition that prevents the cerebral spinal fluid ( more commonly known as CSF from flowly correctly from the ventricals and cavaties from the brain. An access of fluid. The fluid build up causes the pressure to build and the skull to push outward, creating an alien affect.
Hydrocephalus was first discovered by Hippocrates, but couldn't actually be worked on until the 20th century when shunts and EV's were first developed and changed Hydrocephalus suffers lives forever.
There are four types of hydro, Non communicating, Communicating, Congenital, and Acquired; all of which have about the same symptoms. I'll get to that later. To help off set the discomfort of the CSF from building up is to surgically put a ventricular catheter into the cerebral ventricles to avert the malfunctioning arachnoidal granulations and to drain and reabsorb the CSF into other parts of the body. The shunt that I have is a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, more commonly known as a VP shunt, but there are also VA ( Ventriculo- Atrial ) shunts which is located near the right atrium, the pleural cavity (ventriculo-pleural shunt), and the gall bladder. A shunt system can also be placed near the spine, and is called an LP shunt. Some of my friends have had a endoscopic third ventriculostomy or an EVT, which is a surgical procedure where the surgeon cuts open the floor of the third ventricle to allow CSF to flow to the bisal cisterns. However EVT's are not going to work for every Hydrocephalus patient.
Since I have a foreign body in my person there is a chance of infection and I might need a revision, which means replacing the tubing the runs from my head, down my neck ( the left side ) and into my stomach. Another reason for shunt malfunction could be that the shunt is outgrown or it might disconnect, again letting the build up of CSF grow. It's very obvious when my shunt is malfunctioning because I have alot of severe nausea, accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, irritability, migraines, and vertigo. Other side effects are seizures, light and sound sensitivity, coma, weakness in the arms or legs, or both.
The reason I have hydrocephalus is because I was born at 28 weeks gestation and I have a class four bleed in my head at the time of birth, however a friend of mine has spinda bifida and that is most generally linked with Hydrocephalus. Menegentis can also cause hydrocephalus as can developmental changes and also genetic. Dandy Walker, Cysts, childhood tumors, Choroid Pluxus Papilloma are just some of the reasons for hydrocephalus. There is no natural cure as of yet, just a great neurosurgeon and the shunts.
My quality of life has increased greatly since the implant of the shunt, though I've never known anything different. I can drive, go to college and do pretty much anything I want to, the only thing I can't do is go into space. Though Hydrocephalus is a lifelong thing there are some things I need to worry about, I need to worry if I've had a headache longer then 1 day, where the headache is, if it's anywhere near my shunt or if the skin around my tube becomes red and puffy. Then I take a trip down to Albany Medical Center.
As much as this sounds harrowing I am proud to say I've survived four brain surgeries and live a happy "normal" life, with the addition of my VP shunt. I wouldn't be here or nearly as successful as I am if it weren't for my teachers grade school through college, or my parents, my friends or my awesome neurosurgeon Dr. Waldman. I also want to thank my friends, fellow Hydro-babies for helping me and inspiring me to tell the world about our awesome but sometimes debilitating condition. Yay Hydro friends.
Author notes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocephalus
http://www.hydroassoc.org/education_support/faq
http://neurosurgery.seattlechildrens.org/assets/images/hydrocephalus_csf_large.jpg
http://www.noahslifewithhydrocephalus.com/mediac/400_0/media/VP_and_VA_shunt.jpg
http://www.lovenishan.com/vpshunt03.jpg
http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/ventriculoperitoneal-shunt-dictionhttp://simon.allanach.dk/causes.htmary.htm
http://neurosurgery.seattlechildrens.org/assets/images/vp_shunt_belly_large.jpg
This can be put into the group forum.
I used the whole outline.
A contest entry
- Writing Workshop On Disabilities Fall, 2008 by kareneisenlord.
3500 points, ended November 15, 2008, 10 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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this is really frightening btw but very inspiring...I didn't know such things exsisted
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Rosita...siriously?
Ur so brave!!!
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ha ha ha seriously. I've been shunted since I was one. But it's no biggie really :-)
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uh yeah it is...but I'm glad ur ok luv!
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This is a very powerful and informative story you've shared. Such an inspiration.
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this is a very strong and brave personal write and very clearly written with diligence to detail that makes it satisfying to the reader
excellent stuff
thanks for sharing
littlefishone
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Very Brave and Admirable of You!
I really admire you for your bravato in sharing this very personal story about yourself. I learned a lot from reading this! I didn't know that Hippocrates was the first one to identifyl Hydrocephelus.
In my early intervention and occupational therapy work I have worked with babies and children with hydrocephalus. Most of them were premies and it was congenital. I also didn't know that Spina Bifuda is prone to Hydrocephaly. I worked with one boy with Spina Bifuda, but he didn't have hydrocephaly.
Wow, your article was so informative! Just packed full of interesting stuff about Hydrocephaly. I loved the personal touch that you gave to it, telling about yourself and how it has affected your life.
I am glad to hear that you are able to keep it under control with the shunt. I remember that some of my babies would get infected, so we were always watching for the signs of that, and for malfunction of the shunt, like you mentionied above.
I am thrilled to hear that you have such a good network of support.
'Hydro Friends' - how cute! Go Hydro Babes!!!
Thank you for your wonderful entry. I am delighted!!
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Well thank you Karen! I thought you might appreciate this and know a little about Hydrocephalus because of your background. :-) but I haven't had a revision in almost ten years, knock on wood!! and I'm hoping to keep it that way!!!! thank you for keeping the contest open!!!
Hydro baby Rosita :-D -
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I am so glad to hear that! And you are more than welcome my dear!
Karen XOXO
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YAY FOR LIFE-SAVING TREATMENT TO SAVE MY ROSITA BONITA!
Love and hugs,
Momma Bella
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I LOVE YOU!!! yay for shunts!
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Wow, I know this was hard to say, and you aid it the way you probaly hoped for, the way it felt.
I'm very very happy for you,
Best of luck&love!
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Wow you have been through so much, you are such an inspiration to us all! Such an amazing write full of information and your own story. I know it was hard to share. Keep up the amazing writing and good luck in the contest! love and hugs Theresa
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Aww thank you darling Theresa. :-) xoxoxoxox
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This is quite a write, it really puts one in the picture. How you have suffered. Yet you have blazed through this, no regrets and a happy disposition. Well Done!
Love Light and Peace
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Thank you Nansie! If it wasn't for my amazing and gifted neurosurgeon I don't know where I would be right now, If i would be functioning at the level I am functioning at right now! Though I have been through a lot there are many other people who are not quite as fortunate as me!!
thanks again!!
Rosita
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