It’s been 9 years since I last had brain surgery, excluding the ICP monitoring I had a few months back. I feel fortunate, for lack of a better word, compared to others who endure more harrowing times. The moments in-between where I questioned and wondered if what I was...
Articles with the Tag Acceptance
Hydrocephalus: When your family relies on you for…(just about) everything
I have no doubt there are many of us, who are relied upon by our families, to be the one who holds it all together. I especially know this is highly likely if you weren’t born with Hydrocephalus (though not limited to) but, diagnosed later in life, like me. ...
Hydrocephalus: What is the right frame of mind?
This question pertains just as much to someone who has recently been diagnosed with Hydrocephalus as it does to someone facing brain surgery, which is never easy. For me personally, it doesn’t matter that people say one procedure is “not as bad” as the next, it doesn’t stop me...
The “protocol” ED is missing when it comes to Hydrocephalus
Just an update, since my last post, with me ending up at the ED, despite my internal protests and reservations that nothing would be done…(I always give a situation the benefit of the doubt). But alas… There were a few things that stood out for me this weekend: Calling to...
Hydrocephalus: The memories we retain (or forget) aren’t by choice…
With memory issues being a challenge on any given day, a side effect of Hydrocephalus and the subsequent brain surgeries, it’s a pity we don’t get to choose which ones we retain or forget. (Don’t get me wrong, ageing definitely plays a part in it too but remember, this...
Who’s with me..?
Something has got to be said for surviving a milestone with this condition. However, it’s not just about surviving another week, month or year without surgery because that in itself is a priceless gift (any Hydro Warrior would understand and acknowledge it). I for one, have literally survived… Without...
Inside a Neurosurgeons head…
I didn’t actually mean that literally 🙂 I just finished reading “Do no harm” by Henry Marsh a little while back. A book, written from the perspective and view of a Neurosurgeon providing some insight to its reader, on what its like to be on the other side. Something attracted...
Stronger now than I was going in…
I find this line applicable to so many areas of my life. Experience truly does come with time (and age). No matter how much someone forewarns you or tells you about the possible outcomes for any given situation, we all learn from experience. It’ll be a positive or (in...
Critical illness and disease : The effect of words
Words have the potential to do so much with very little to no effort. I suppose for me it started with the words Hydrocephalus and Brain surgery. My latest diagnoses of Hyperthyroidism comes with the “possibility” of, Heart failure and Cancer. These words somehow have been the cause of much anxiety,...
Hydrocephalus : What other choice do you have?
I’ve been “lucky” to not have daily headaches or symptoms related to Hydrocephalus. I have the odd episodes where I’m just knocked down physically and take a few days to recover. This can be anything from dizzy spells, nausea (sometimes vomiting). There have also been times where I’ve had...