I have waited for several weeks to see if the new shunt surgery will work for Rachel. At first she had the only 3-4 level headache days that she has had in 6 years. Unfortunately, the headaches seem to be gradually returning. At least it is not constantly at an 8-9 level. But we have to go back to the neurosurgeon to see if they can still address this with the programmable shunt still in her head. This is why we left this pump in place because it could still give us options. As you know the lumbar shunt is like a faucet left on continually. To us, it makes sense that the two shunts together may be draining too much CSF and causing a low pressure headache instead of a high pressure one. The headaches seem to be somewhat positional (meaning they get worse when she get up rather than when she is laying down (at least on some days). So we still have some hope. The ventricular shunt (pump in her head) can be reprogrammed without surgery, so that is a blessing. It is difficult to handle this emotionally because, in one sense, you get your hopes up, and then they seem to have the bottom fall out - again. But you have to keep moving toward an answer. The Apostle Paul once said, these light afflictions are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. Well hold on to that for the present. All one ever has is Today - As Elenore Roosevelt once said, Yesterday is history and tomorrow a mystery... But today is a gift.
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:07:39 +0000
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