When someone asks me how I am in general, but especially, after a Hydro “episode”, I often respond with these 2 little words. It’s instinctive. The truth of the matter is, I don’t know that for sure. How do I truly know that I am fine..!? Fact is, I...
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus: This is NO way to live…
I’ve had a few people say this to me. People at the end of their rope, dealing with pain and discomfort from living with Hydrocephalus, and some, living with more conditions/diseases on top of it all. I fully empathise and, in most cases, share their sentiment. More especially, today...
Hydrocephalus: When You’re At A Crossroad In Terms Of YOUR Care…
I sometimes think this is such an unfair condition to have. One could argue and ask, compared to what? This would be a “relatively” fair enough question. But, I do feel, (as someone diagnosed with it, someone who knows the full extent of the pain and consequences of the...
Hydrocephalus: Human being on the table…
Last week I binge watched Lenox Hill, a documentary, currently playing on Netflix. Not everyone has the stomach for watching brain surgery or women giving birth. So, if you’re squeamish, don’t watch it. Me on the other hand, I find it interesting…brain surgery, that is. For some reason, I...
Hydrocephalus: Anxiety and Memory Issues
I know this is probably an old topic but, for me, it never grows old simply because it affects me on a daily basis. I possibly haven’t labelled it as such before, but I do feel anxious when someone challenges me on the validity of my memory issues. There’s...
Hydrocephalus: Know. Understand. Appreciate…
I have Hydrocephalus and I’ve had brain surgery to treat it. 5 thus far, in fact. I’ve had a VP Shunt, which has been removed and for the last 10 and a half years, an ETV. But…, this doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of the condition. Too many people across the world...
Hydrocephalus: The Cannabidiol (medicinal cannabis) effect…
If anyone had ever said to me that I’d be using cannabis in any form, in my future, I think I would have asked them what they’re smoking. I’ve always been one to toe the line and always try to do the right thing…I still do, mostly. But what...
Hydrocephalus: Resilience grows on you…
I seem to learn more about myself and this condition every time… A week ago, I was in unimaginable pain and for the first time, I made the decision NOT to seek medical help. Thankfully my headache has gone since then, that in itself is a huge relief. I’m...
Hydrocephalus: How bad does it have to get?
Waking up with a headache a few days ago is nothing new. One that doesn’t go away, also nothing new. In fact, nothing about that day was different to any other time. I took some Codeine early in the day because I sensed this one would not let up....
Hydrocephalus: My Hydro diagnosis becomes a teenager…
13 years ago, today, my world changed. A “simple” visit to a Neurologist to find out what was causing my daily headaches, and subsequent CT scan, dropped a new word into my vocabulary. She was the first one to believe that there wasn’t anything sinister going on, that I...