Finally! I have someone who has listened, not just by acknowledging what I’m saying but by actually validating EVERYTHING I’ve been saying. He didn’t tell me I’m complex or try to palm me off on someone else. I felt genuinely listened to and experience so much empathy, which is...
Articles with the Tag ETV Failure
Hydrocephalus: Nothing about this condition is easy…
Anyone who has followed my blog and knows my journey, would have an understanding of where I’m at. But, in the interest of those who aren’t aware, I’ll try to explain. After last week’s vision loss and subsequent headaches, I’ve had time to think (aka, silently freak out!). My...
Hydrocephalus: Life interrupted…
Today, the 2nd of December, marks 11 years since my emergency ETV was performed (the previous 2 day’s surgeries, were unsuccessful). 3 surgeries over 3 days, while 5 and a half months pregnant… Day 1 – VP shunt revision of a Medtronic Programmable Day 2 – VP shunt replacement...
Hydrocephalus: I’m not scared to face all this on my own.
There are days when I wish I couldn’t read people. The unspoken can sometimes be so loud. • A reaction to something said. • The change of tone in your voice. • The way your face changes: mouth, eyes, brows… • A shift in your posture and demeanour. •...
Hydrocephalus: The waiting game and getting in the way of life!
Hydrocephalus doesn’t ask you if or when it can interrupt your life, it simply does. No matter whether you fail your last year of school because you were symptomatic around exam time and your brain took such a beating that nothing would stick. Or you have your baby brother’s...
Hydrocephalus: Unfair question or not?
“What do you want them to do?” A question I’ve been asked by some well-meaning individuals in my life, and in general, when I’ve been at my lowest point of not having my symptoms treated. (They don’t have Hydrocephalus). Truth be told, there’s a physical reaction I have to...
Hydrocephalus: Be kind and take care of yourself first!
I never truly understood this saying. In fact, I suck at taking care of myself. This I know… It’s weird, I almost feel like I’m being selfish when I don’t respond to someone else’s request for help i.e. I can’t say NO. But, knowing myself, I can say with...
Hydrocephalus: When someone throws you a lifeline…use it!
When I stepped into that ring again yesterday, I was “prepared” for the outcome I got…or was I? Funny thing about it, with the softest blow, I feel like I’ve been beaten to a pulp. That’s how little it took. For me to know the possible outcome, thinking I...
Hydrocephalus: What does perspective look like to you?
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you make a big deal of things and, after some time has passed, realise that it wasn’t as bad as you thought? I’ve certainly had my fair share of these moments and still do! Life hands us all lemons along...
Hydrocephalus: Sharing the joys of upcoming brain surgery and a lightbulb moment.
A while back, I wrote a post titled, “When the thought of brain surgery “excites” you“. It would probably seem like a strange thing to write about but the preconceived ideas of a title like this, at first sight, couldn’t be further from the main reason behind it. Walter...