I have hydro, hydro doesn't have me.

2012-01-30T08:21:00.000-05:00

German doctors among first to treat ischemic stroke patients with new blood clot retrieval device

Published on May 12, 2011

Doctors in Germany are among the first to treat ischemic stroke patients outside the United States with the REVIVE™ SE, a new self-expanding blood clot retrieval and removal device designed to remove blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain in patients having a stroke.
Codman & Shurtleff, Inc., a global neuroscience and neurovascular company, received Conformite Europeenne (CE) mark authorization for the REVIVE™ SE in February 2011. CE mark approval means that the product has been deemed safe for use in occlusions or blockages in blood vessels or grafts and can now be marketed for this indication in all Member States of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area and Switzerland. The device is not approved for distribution in the United States.

"This device is an important new option because it may provide advantages over currently available treatments," said Martin Bendszus, MD, Department of Neuroradiology, University of Heidelberg in Germany, who has successfully treated more than 25 patients with the REVIVE™ SE. "Patients treated with neurothrombectomy devices such as REVIVE™ SE may achieve rapid recanalization, enhanced efficacy in treating larger vessel occlusions and thus have an improved clinical outcome."
The REVIVE™ SE provides physicians with a new option for treating ischemic stroke, which occurs when not enough blood gets to the brain and causes symptoms including sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs, confusion, vision loss, dizziness or severe headache. The device is a self-expanding nitinol basket that provides a temporary bypass across the occlusion in the brain. It can also be used for the non-surgical removal of emboli and thrombi, and be used with aspiration.

"Every stroke is different, and we are now exploring the use of imaging to determine which patients may benefit most from treatment with REVIVE™ SE," said Dr. Bendszus, who is an investigator for RIVER I (Reperfuse Ischemic Vessels with Endovascular Recanalization), a recently initiated, single-arm study in Germany that will include patient screening with MRI before treatment with REVIVE™ SE.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ischemic strokes account for about 90 percent of the 15 million strokes that occur worldwide each year. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when an artery in the brain bursts. Europe averages approximately 650,000 stroke deaths each year. Stroke is the leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer and WHO calls neurological disorders, which affect about 1.7 billion people, one of the greatest threats to public health.

The REVIVE™ SE is inserted with a microcatheter across the occlusion or beyond its distal edge, at which point it is deployed and expands into the vessel. It can be redeployed multiple times based on the severity of the clot. The device features a closed distal end to help prevent portions of the clot from moving further upstream within the vessel. The basket engages the clot for effective removal, is reconstrainable to ease retrieval, and is designed for optimal centering within the vessel lumen during deployment and retrieval.

"The REVIVE™ SE represents Codman's first product entry into ischemic stroke, due in large part to our recent acquisition of Micrus Endovascular," said Karen Prange, General Manager and Vice President, Codman Neurovascular. "This is the beginning of a long term commitment to bring forward more innovations that advance the treatment of stroke and improve patient care, outcomes and access to treatment."

SOURCE Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.

I found this article and wanted to share it with everyone. My neurosurgeon does most of his training and research in Germany so I don't wonder if this is something in his notes...

My anti-syphon device is from Germany because it has been found to be more dependable than the American syphon device. I had it place in August just over a year now...

My lil' nose will never be the same...

2012-01-28T06:15:00.000-05:00

This is what I had to look forward to yesterday morning... The nurse came in and put this down I though I would "P" my pants!

I told Dr M about how I had been hurting in the back of my throat and in the past week even smothering. So he pulls out this!

First he stuck a little pistil thing in my nose and said I would be numb in about 10 minutes and he would come back and look.

I made the mistake of making the comment on my facebook "Oh Crap! Rooto-Rooter!" forgetting that most often this means something else...lol The first response was... colonoscopy?

I commented back being my goofy self..."I was wondering why an ENT was asking me to take my clothes off...lol"

When he looked in my throat he asked me if I use to smoke... I thought!!!O-M-G! What!!!

Apparently the radiation has messed my throat up from when I was 8 years old. I mentioned it to him. He started shaking his head "yes" that the radiation had caused the look of my throat.

When he ran this contraption down my throat he saw a raw spot in a gland near the back of my tongue. I'm hoping that I have just not been on strong enough antibiotics to heal the spot but if it does not it will need a biopsy.

While going through all this I got a great message from a blog follower she is going through some similar issues. But told me read my blog it was great to hear. I love hearing about helping...

Ear, Nose and Throat doctor

2012-01-27T14:13:00.000-05:00

I had to take an early morning appointment with the surgeon that took my tonsils out this morning to see what was going on with my throat.

I started out "4" weeks ago with a sinus infection and on my third round of antibiotics to help get over that.

I have been over the sinus infection for a long time but I have had this pain in the back of mt throat....

The past week it really got bad where I was smothering in my sleep.The pain was getting so bad I could not sleep!When I would go to sleep then I would panic with the smothering.

Dr. M looked in my throat there is a spot there... If the medicine I am on now does not heal the spot he wants to try one more round of antibiotics.

I try not to make early morning appointments because it is so hard for me to get going of the morning...I did not sleep good worring about getting up... Then just having to move before I have pain medicine in my system I feel like I have the flu right now.

Had an exciting ER visit

2012-01-26T10:32:00.000-05:00

Bad thing the things I saw I can't talk about because of HIPA laws... OK true I could talk about it but I'm not! I was put in the same room with a trauma! All that was between us was a curtain...

I need therapy now!!

A week a go Monday I finished the second round of antibiotics. My sinus issues is gone. I am better but I am hurting...

I can't sleep cause when I fall asleep my throat closes and I choke.

I don't have a sore throat... But my neck/ throat area hurts. So since I coughed so the question is... have I tore something around the distal of my shunt tube? Is it scar tissue? I have also worried about it being a growth...

I have an appointment tomorrow with a ear nose and throat to look and see. After having radiation in 1983 I was always told I needed to watch for things like this.

After not sleeping for the past 5 days it was such a relief to get some rest last night.

I'm so fatigued that my tremors are making me feel gittery even though they are not visible I can feel them.

Gabriel steps down from congress

2012-01-25T17:33:00.000-05:00

http://home.myhughesnet.com/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CD9SG29SG0%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, walking with a limp and guided by a friend, offered her resignation to Speaker John Boehner on the House floor Wednesday morning.

Tension Headache

2012-01-22T07:42:00.003-05:00

A tension headache is a condition involving pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, usually associated with muscle tightness in these areas.

Alternative Names

Muscle contraction headache; Headache - benign; Headache - tension

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Tension headaches are one of the most common forms of headaches. They may occur at any age, but are most common in adults and adolescents.
If a headache occurs two or more times a week for several months or longer, the condition is considered chronic.
Tension headaches can occur when the patient also has a migraine.
Tension headaches occur when neck and scalp muscles become tense, or contract. The muscle contractions can be a response to stress, depression, a head injury, or anxiety.
Any activity that causes the head to be held in one position for a long time without moving can cause a headache. Such activities include typing or other computer work, fine work with the hands, and using a microscope. Sleeping in a cold room or sleeping with the neck in an abnormal position may also trigger a tension headache.
Other causes of tension headaches include:

Alcohol use
Caffeine (too much or withdrawal)
Colds and the flu
Eye strain
Excessive smoking
Fatigue
Nasal congestion
Overexertion
Sinus infection

Tension headaches are not associated with structural changes in the brain.

Review Info

Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., 06/19/2008

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The History of Hydrocephalus Treatment

2012-01-20T09:55:00.000-05:00

The History of Hydrocephalus Treatment

Modern hydrocephalus treatment started in 1949, when the surgeons Frank Nulsen and Eugene Spitz had showed that shunts, which lead the cerebrospinal fluid to the blood veins, were effective in reducing the pressure in the ventricles.

In 1955 Charles Case (Casey) Holter was born with Arnold-Chiari malformation and a myelomeningocele. The after surgery, the inter-cranial pressure continued to raise despite ventricular taps temporarily relieving the pressure.

Shunt operation were attempted, using ventriculoperitoneal shunts constructed with polythene tubing, but they failed.

While visiting his son in hospital John Holter, Casey Holter's father, noticed a how the valve in an inter-venous line allowed a needle to be inserted and withdrawn, without any leakage of fluid. He suggested, to Dr. Spitz, that the usage of this type of one-way valve could prevent blockage of the shunt.

Using criteria specified by Spitz, Holter quickly began to design an model of a shunt valve using his experience as a hydraulics technician. Holter's design was simple and impressed the doctors, but further development was required. A material which could be easily sterilized, and wouldn't be rejected by the body was still needed.

Silicone which had been successfully used in other surgical procedures was found to have the characteristics required, so after switching from polyethylene to silicone catheters there was a significant decrease in shunt failure.

Further development was made to create a valve which could reliably maintain pressure, and also to design valves with different pressure characteristics.

Holter continued manufacturing the shunts by hand, and supplied over 500 per year.

The Spitz-Holter valve was patented, and a company was formed to manufacture the valves. The basic design from their valve can still used in today's hydrocephalus treatment.

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus Information

What is hydrocephalus ?

Causes of hydrocephalus

Diagnosing hydrocephalus

Treating hydrocephalus

Surgical Procedures

Shunt Malfunctions

Effects of hydrocephalus

Links

Sources

Contact

To my personal pages

Hydrocephalus Information
on Facebook

I'm kinda disappapointed in Paula Deen

2012-01-18T11:14:00.000-05:00

The queen of Southern cooking has formally announced she has type 2 diabetes. However, it’s clear she's not letting the diagnosis get her down. She told USA Today she is not only partnering with pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, she’s also launching a new program called “Diabetes in a New Light,” which will offer lifestyle tips and -- of course -- recipes.
Deen appeared on NBC's "Today" with Al Roker and announced she was diagnosed three years ago, and says the news is “not a death sentence.” When Roker asked why she kept the diagnosis a secret, she said she had “nothing to give” her audience at the time.
She also admits that, yes, her infamously indulgent diet is “part of the puzzle,” but points out her media presence isn’t meant to be for everyday instruction. “It’s entertainment,” she said. “I’m your cook, not your doctor.”

The affable epicurean has come under fire for her high-fat, high-everything ways, most notoriously from fellow star chef Anthony Bourdain, who once called her “the worst, most dangerous person to America.” However, he said he “takes no pleasure” in her recent announcement.

But for those who practice moderation and love a kind face, Paula Deen’s a cultural staple! And for that reason, we’ve composed an ode:

Paula Deen the butter queen

May trade out fatty foods for lean

Many of us disabilities or not have been trying to get our diets healthier for many years now. For the past few weeks Paula has been on many different shows showing different ways to do her menus... But Why???

Then it started to hit the news that Paula Deen "Might" have diabetes... She confirmed it on the Today show. But also told she had known for 3 years while she still published 3 cookbooks.

Ah!!!

I'm disappointed! in Paula!

She has had all this time to tell her fans... Yes I am one... I do slim down her recipes though...

Not only our adults are getting heavier but our kids are gaining weight and becoming diabetic...

So ...
As I have been talking to my friend Chell. She probably has the right idea This is her way of starting a new show or a new book... She has Partnered with a drug company so there is a profit to be made here...
I just wish it was this easy for someone like me disabled blogging... Just trying to help others... But live a bit easier too...

2012-01-17T08:10:00.000-05:00

I just finished my second round of antibiotics. I'M STILL SICK!!!

I'm really getting depressed and got cabin fever. I've been locked up in my house for nearly 3 weeks now.

This started out as allergies. Then turned into a horrible sinus infection.

But I also have this horrible cough. The cough jars my head making my headache much worse. I wonder if this may be one of the reasons I get so extremely fatigued when I get sick.

I have only been drinking one protein shake I'm going to start making myself drink 2 a day since they have really helped me in the past with my energy.

Plus when I was drinking 2 shakes a day this is what helped start my weight loss. So far I have lost nearly 35 pounds.

There are so many different kinds of protein if you don't like one type try another because it will taste totally different.

Just because I say I'm drinking protein shakes most people think I'm doing like everyone use to with Slim Fast. Drinking the 2 drinks and one meal. This is not what I'm doing.

I've felt so tired from being sick I can't get motivated to blog. I'm blogging from my phone now. I remember doing this for four months while waiting on surgery.

I definitely don't feel as bad as I did then but it I remember blogging here. I don't want to make it a habit.

I have not been to the gym or swimming because I did not feel like it for one reason. Another reason I did not want to spread my germs to my friends at the "Y. "

2012-01-14T12:48:00.002-05:00

While watching GMA this morning it was reported that Paula Dean could possibly be type 2 diabetic.

Paula is famous for her great southern cooking. But I wonder if this has finally proven that we have to eat things in moderation.

I hope that Paula can get her diet on a better track at least most of the time.

Weather causing your headache?

2012-01-12T08:29:00.000-05:00

An upper-level low-pressure system which caused heavy rain in Asheville and tornadoes to the east on Wednesday could bring up to two inches of snow to some areas of Western North Carolina

Tornadoes in western North Carolina are rare, but especially so in winter. According to The Weather Channel, there has never been a tornado in Rutherford Co. or Burke Co. in the month of January. In fact, there have been only seven total tornadoes reported in Rutherford Co. between 1950-2011, and all of them have occurred between May-October. In Burke Co., there were only six tornadoes reported between 1950-2011, all of them from April-September.

A tornado touched down in eastern Rutherford County this afternoon causing widespread damage and injuring several people.

The tornado hit an area near Ellenboro on Piney Mountain Church Rd. and Dycus Rd. Several homes were blown off their foundations, and many people were trapped in the rubble. We're told at least 10 people were injured, two seriously.

I thought the heavy rain was bothering my headache yesterday until I started hearing about the severe weather that had been happening.

Pressure systems from rain often bother my headache but it was much worse yesterday. Even though I was not in the heart of the storm I am in the same state. I am in Western North Carolina. and the storm traveled the Piedmont area.

I had such bad headaches yesterday that my skin on my forehead and crown of my head is actually sore today.

Pressure systems effect people with hydrocephalus by causing more pressure on your head by basically shaking up the atmosphere. Which in turn causes your spinal fluid around your brain to shake up or your brain to pull harder toward the earth even like during a full moon.

It confuses your shunt and your brain. you make more spinal fluid or not enough. You body is a mess!

Sick and tired of being Sick and tired

2012-01-11T08:12:00.000-05:00

I have not had a typical cold, flu or infection like this in so very long. I want to say I am very tankful too.

When I use to keep my cousin her mom didn't understand how important it was that if she was sick I could not keep her. This has been a great example.

I have really been worried that what has started out as a sinus infection could turn into something worse.

I'm on my second round of antibiotics and still sound like a "frog."

I have had to stop drinking my protein shakes because they make me cough worse.

I'm sure that is not helping my fatigue issue.

I definitely think I have a lower immunity than someone that has not had as many surgeries. I would love to hear others opinions

I am a germ freak for good reason

2012-01-07T07:08:00.000-05:00

Next time you see me opening a public door with the tail of my shirt or caring my Clorox wipes around the gym with me.

Don't roll your eyes... again... If you have been following my facebook page for for the past 12 days you will see I am now on my second round of antibiotics.

For several days I thought I was having allergies... Then out of no where I thought I was hit with a mack truck! I blamed it on going with my dad to an auction.

Then the tension headache, my teeth hurt, and all the signs of a horrible sinus infection.

Only problem I can't get over it. I have always had a harder time with the general cold and flu's than others. I think is is because of my hydrocephalus.

I have issues with fatigue and fighting off an illness just makes my fatigue that much worse.

Since I have had more surgeries it also seems it is harder for me to fight off illness.

Next time I think I will ask for a shot of penicillin with my antibiotics.

Apple ipad2

2012-01-05T06:12:00.000-05:00

I got this from a friends page. I keep hearing about the magnets in the Apple Ipad2. I don't understand the ifs and ands and buts... I did want to pass the information along.

Dear Members: Today we received the official information from Medtronic Neurosurgery on the use of the Apple iPad 2 and persons with programmable shunts. The email is from Jeffrey Henders, VP of Quality and Regulatory Affairs at Medtronic. Below is a portion of the email.

"Dear Mr. Illions,
On December 9, 2011 we received a question from you regarding the use of an Apple iPad 2 for individuals ...with an implanted Strata Valve.

A sample iPad 2 was evaluated for magnetic strength. The left front edge of the iPad 2 was found to have a magnetic strength of 306 Gauss and the rear speaker measured 456 Gauss. The Strata family of valves is designed to be adjusted with a permanent magnet of at least 90 Gauss, directly against the valve. This indicates that the iPad 2 has the potential to affect the Strata Valve setting if the areas having the above measured fields are placed directly adjacent to the implant location of the Strata Valve. Inadvertent adjustments by external magnets are a known complication with adjustable valves. Therefore, the same precautions that are applied to all magnets should also be applied to the iPad 2."
Please contact us at www.phfkids.org if you have any additional questions! See More

http://www.phfkids.or

Things you need to keep

2012-01-04T09:41:00.000-05:00

I have a suggestion about your medical history... I've had 19 surgeries... 1st thing the want them listed... I have all my surgeries on an outline on my computer listing by doctor/surgery/date/ then any special notes...Then in that little area where they ask for surgeries I put see attached... I do the same for medicines...

Relaxing Time

2012-01-04T06:27:00.000-05:00

The Author of this post is Rory Reilly

I like to watch late night TV using our direct tv oceanside. It has become a guilty pleasure of mine. My wife and kids will head up for bed. Usually, I should be going to bed soon after them, but every now and again I stay up and just watch random late night TV shows. It is a really good way for me to just relax and have some time to breath. Sometimes coming home does not help me to relax. The kids always go crazy, my wife always has something to worry about too and sometimes the only thing I can do to take a break, is watch some TV. It really does not matter what it is. I just like the fact that I can sit there in the dark, with the volume down low, watch and just not think about a single thing. I always tease my wife and say that watching TV after everyone has gone to bed is my version of yoga. She uses yoga as a way to relax and get the stress for the day out. I do not get to do yoga, so I watch some TV instead. I think it is a pretty good tradeoff.

**This is a guest post the opinions expressed in this post are the opinions of the author not mine, Monica Ball

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-02T06:28:00.004-05:00

Hope everyone had a very safe and " Happy New Year!"

New Year's Eve has always been depressing to me. I had one

more reason to add to my list of thousand why I dislike "New Year's Eve"

I thought I had a cold at first. I had a scratchy throat. Thursday I had been

around about 10 people coughing and talking over my shoulder.

Oh! and I can't forget the guy that I had to get right up in his face to

realize a 40 year old man I just met was saying " Tickle, Tickle...

So I in no way doubt that I could be sick... Even though I had washed my

hands and used purel. But then I started hurting and aching all over!

I Was certain I was sick. I had the scratchy, sore throat and cough to go

along with it too. I was running a temperature. With the aching and chills I

was sure it was the flu but I have had a flu shot. I know you can still take the flu

but never have.

Then... ewww!!! the infection... I have a nasty sinus infection! I slept

most of the day yesterday.

I had not had a cold in years... I was even more upset over having the flu!

This sore throat woke me at 3am though(frown)

I should have listened to Lenny yesterday and let him take me to the doctor.

I don't think normal illness effect me the same as other people. It takes me a lot

longer to recover.

I can't believe this!!!

2011-12-31T17:39:00.002-05:00

I think I have a cold for the first time in years!!! I avoid my friends with kids with this colds because when I get sick it really drags me down.

I always take a flu shot!

Some how it got me! I got the crud! My throat is scratchy and sore.... I'm coughing! Yuck!

Luckily my best friend is also my personal nurse if needed...

I'm kinda mad I got the crud... I am so careful.

2011-12-31T17:30:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas from the Stow family

2011-12-26T07:21:00.006-05:00

I'm trying to get back to work at my blog. So first thing I go to Bryan Stow's blog to see if he had a good Christmas. They have decorated his room and decorated a tree with ornaments and the works.

Bryan had another infection which caused some problems. You can read the details in the link above.

The Stow family remembered Matt the friend that died from a peanut allergy soon after Bryan's accident. His birthday must have been during the holidays.

As we all got a day or two of holiday break from our jobs... Bryan can't take a holiday from his condition. Its for life!

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-25T11:15:00.004-05:00

As we rush from house to house to grab up present don't forget to remember the important things about today.

Number one today we need to say "Happy Birthday Jesus."

Second we need to remember our family and neighbors that don't have anyone at this time of year.

As you see in the picture this is pepper. He is 13 and my name sake for my blog. He is diabetic and has several other aches and pains that comes with old age. Besides being grumpy...LOL

But I am very thankful to still have him to enjoy one more Christmas! Just as I remember the last Christmas we got to spent with my Mamaw. I have a picture of use all together.

One thing I would really like to have is a picture of my parents and me. My dad was wanting one the other night.

Attempted kidnapping at the Asheville Mall

2011-12-23T06:59:00.005-05:00

I hear story after story of children being abducted in Florida, Texas ans California. In Hickory, North Carolina we even heard the terrible story of Zahra Baker. But I have felt pretty safe in this area with our children. I do sex offender checks often and find many and keep there faces in my mind just in case.

One of my close friends refuses to watch the news. I may watch the news too much but I want to be aware of what is going on around me and be prepared. Thank God!!! This dad was on his toes!!!

I heard this story last night about Barney Wooten trying to take this man's daughter. Dad held the man until police could take him into custody. Wooten was found to have candy and Vaseline on him.

This makes me physically sick to hear these stories.

Asheville Police say they arrested a man who tried to kidnap a 4 year old girl at the Asheville Mall yesterday. Barney Eugene Wooten is charged with Indecent Liberties with a Child and Abduction of Children. The child's father says Wooten sat down next to his daughter, grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. The man ran away when the father approached him. Mall Security told Police they had received other reports about a man following young children. Officers recovered a tube of Vaseline and several pieces of hard candy from Wooten during the arrest. Wooten is in the Buncombe County Detention Facility. He is currently being held on a $100,000dollar secure bond.

The Asheville Mall issued this statement: "One of our top priorities at Asheville Mall is to provide our shoppers, retail partners and employees with a comfortable, convenient and enjoyable shopping environment.There are security measures in place at Asheville Mall. We are not at liberty to discuss policy specifics as that may compromise the situation.The situation was reported to mall security, who identified the suspect and worked with Asheville Police Department to quickly make an arrest."Attempted Kidnapping at the Mall Thursday, December 22 2011, 06:39 PM EST

http://www.wlos.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wmya_vid_6247.shtml
You can see picture and video here:

Depressed at Christmas

2011-12-22T09:35:00.003-05:00

This year has been crazy... Not a bad year as far as with being sick. It has just been really busy trying to get my health back.

My mom had surgery this year. I have been concentrating on her rehabilitation. We have been going to the gym 3 times a week and water aerobics.

We been drinking the protein shakes with trying to eat healthier. Protein helps to keep you from being hungry, gives you energy and gives your body what it needs to work off those extra pounds though out the day.

We have been so busy this year that things have just got away from me. It's December 22 and until yesterday I did not have one present under my tree.

My dad and I went shopping and he came in and looked at my empty tree and told me to grab everything and we would wrap some presents real quick.

We had fun wrapping and looking at my mom's presents.

I don't know if its because it's because its not been very cold this year... or maybe that I have had a hard time finding what I wanted for people...AH!!! Then being over charged!!!

My friend Keyt was telling me how she hates Christmas. I love Christmas. This is my favorite time of the year. I love being able to give presents.

But as I was telling Keyt I don't know why I don't hate Chrstmas too. My family has all left me while I have been down...

They were always here while they thought my parents were rolling in money and they saw my parents business as doing very well. We would have big Christmas parties at our house for the kids.

I think the things that really hurt me about my family the most and made me realize that they were just coming around when they needed or wanted something. I never got a phone call or a text... not even an email in 10 years that I have been sick having surgeries from my hydrocephalus.

I now hear my other relative talk like I am suppose to feel sorry for her kids... When the kids are in better shap than I am...

I invited one member for Christmas and she blew up that she did not have money for presents! I said "What" I'll find you presents if you think its all about presents!"

She was just using that for an excuse...

Another family member told she could not afford to buy Christmas for anyone because she was going through this terrible divorce... but with in months she was able to buy laptops and all other kind of expensive things she was always trying to hide.

I am thankful to have my parents without them I wouldn't have any family I could rely on...

Deanna was telling me it was hard for her to get the Christmas feeling too... We have always known what each other was thinking... Hopefully my Christmas gift will help a little... at least it will get her mind to working again...

She told me something the other night that let me know I had done the exact right thing for her Christmas!! I can't wait!!!

I know my post was hard to understand but I needed to vent and honestly I know I have not been around in a few days...

Saved from Sinility

2011-12-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Saved from Senility

(CBS) ..For many people, it's the worst possible news. They're diagnosed with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, and they're told to put their affairs in order and prepare for years of suffering, and eventually, death.

Millions of Americans have to live with that diagnosis -- and all the heartache that goes with it. But what if the diagnosis is wrong? What if they're suffering from something that's treatable? Correspondent Vicki Mabrey reports.

"I was totally convinced I was dying. I was totally convinced I'd be gone in a month or a so," says Bob Fowler, who wrote his own obituary five years ago, at the age of 69.

"It was hard to write it. I was totally convinced because I'd been to doctor after doctor after doctor with absolutely no positive results. No diagnosis of what was wrong with me at all. It was a very traumatic time for us.

" For nearly a decade, Fowler had struggled with debilitating symptoms – trouble with balance, memory, and incontinence. Doctors suspected Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, but weren't sure. His condition worsened so terribly that he ended up in a wheelchair and had to stop working. Eventually, his wife Bonita began making plans to put him in a nursing home.

Fowler says he also developed a severe case of dementia: "One morning, I wandered out to the sidewalk to get our morning paper. And Bonita was at the door and she yelled at me. She said, 'Why don't you have anything on?' I said, 'Well, I've got a towel.' I had a towel around my neck and nothing else on. Now, I've always been a shy, kind of private person. And yet, it just didn't seem to matter."

He says he's probably been to 15 doctors over the past nine years. And in all of those years, none of his doctors suggested he have an MRI or CT scan, and he never got a definitive diagnosis of what was wrong with him.

In Phoenix, retired dentist Milt Newman suffered for 15 years from the same symptoms as Fowler. In Newman's case, a CT scan was performed, yet none of his doctors could pinpoint what was causing his decline.

"My concentration was nil. There wasn't any. Reading a book was difficult because I couldn't remember what happened 10 pages back," says Newman. "And later on, conversation was difficult because I'd forget what people would say."

He says it started when he was 55. His wife, Phyllis, says she remembers watching her once vibrant husband simply slip away: "It was like his brain was sinking into his body. That's the only way I could say."

Eventually, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. "I was floored by that because to me that was a death sentence," says Newman. "I said to myself,'Well, let me get prepared.'"

What Newman wasn't prepared for, however, was the news that it was all a mistake – and that there was hope.

Last year, after 15 years of suffering, Newman met Dr. Harold Rekate, a neurosurgeon at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. He realized that what Newman had wasn't Alzheimer's but a condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus or NPH. NPH is caused by excess fluid putting pressure on the brain.

"There's 10 times too much fluid in here than there is in a normal person," says Rekate. "It's pushing the brain outward and stretching the nerve fibers so they can't function properly."

The result can be the very symptoms that plagued both Newman and Fowler – problems with gait, or walking, with thinking and bladder control.

To Dr. Rekate, those symptoms – especially a shuffling walk – are a giveaway. But doctors rarely realize that the cause might be NPH and a surprising number of cases go undiagnosed, and untreated.

Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia afflict more than 7 million people in the United States, but medical professionals estimate that between 5 and 10 percent of them -- at least 375,000 people -- might actually have NPH. And most physicians are missing it. Why?

"It's hard to make the diagnosis. You have to sit down and you have to listen and you have to examine the patient. And you have to do it in a thorough way. And then you have to order an expensive test," says Rekate. "An MRI scan will cost somewhere around $2,000-3,000. It's not that the insurance carriers want you to do that."

So what do those who are misdiagnosed need to do? "You don't have to go gently into that good night," says Rekate. "You need to fight. And we need to give you the tools to fight."

The first tool is knowledge, because once the condition is discovered, the treatment is a 45-minute procedure in which neurosurgeons surgically insert a tube called a shunt into the brain. That tube drains the excess fluid from the brain and moves it to the belly where it can be absorbed.

The shunt may need to be adjusted because removing too much or too little fluid can be dangerous. That adjustment used to require further surgery, but now it is done painlessly with a magnet in the doctor's office.

After the surgery, Newman said he "felt like the old Milton."

Fowler said he had a similar transformation in 1999, when he was finally told that he had NPH: "I never anticipated feeling that good again in my life. And all of a sudden I felt fantastic. I'm 74 years old now and I'm doing things that I would have dreamed of doing any time during my 60s."

Today, five years after his surgery, Fowler is back at work and back at play. But he's also a man with a mission to spread the word about NPH.

He's starred in a public-service announcement, re-enacting what his symptoms were like then, and showing how he is now. The ad was produced by one of the shunt manufacturers.

"We've had hundreds of calls from patients who saw those commercials and said, 'That sounds like me. It sounds like my mother, my father, someone that I know,'" says Dr. Gail Rosseau, a neurosurgeon at the Chicago Institute Of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch.

Rosseau is working to raise awareness in both doctors and patients about the three classic signs of the condition.

"Patients and their families should know that if someone is aging and their gait is worsening, their mental thought processes are becoming less clear, and they have urinary incontinence, they need a scan," says Rosseau. "They need to insist on a scan and they need to see a specialist who knows about normal-pressure hydrocephalus."

But even that, she says, might not lead to a dramatic recovery.

"We can improve the symptoms of normal-pressure hydrocephalus, but we can't make you look younger," says Rosseau. "We can't slow down the other things that make you feel old that have happened during that same period: arthritis, perhaps heart disease, the other medical problems that we all seem to accumulate as we get older. This only helps one of them, but when we're right about it, it can help a lot."

No one understands that more than Fowler, who says he feels like he's been given a second chance, and he wants to share it with others.

"I can spot 'em quickly. I've even walked up to people and had the audacity to walk up to a person and say, 'Have you had an MRI or a CT scan in the last few years?' And they say, 'No why, what business is it of yours,'" says Fowler. "

And I say, 'Because I know your gait and I know your walk. I want you to go from here and have a CT scan or an MRI. Do yourself a favor.'"

Nomorerack

2011-12-18T07:33:00.000-05:00

I just got an amazing opptunity to Check out an amazing web site. It's Nomorerack.com.

I am really excited to be able to pass on this great information to my friends.

Every day at 12 noon EST, the daily deals are updated and they last for 24 hours. The best deals do sell out. You can return an item if you are not satisfied within 30 days of purchase for a full refund if the merchandise is returned in new, fully saleable condition.

Have you heard about the insanity of Nomorerack? It's name brand products sold for one day only at totally insane prices. 60-90% off the regular retail prices. Deals are available for 24 hours, or until they sell out. They often sell out, very quickly. Nomorerack send out an email shortly before the new deals go live, so you can see what will be coming up, and can prepare to click and buy before other shoppers snap up the items you want. Shipping is a very reasonable $2 per item.You have popular name brands like Sony, Gucci, and Apple.When you sign up you receive a $10 gift card.

Of course, after reading about this site I was skeptical of such great deals. I did a search of nomorerackreviews. I found mostly positive reviews about normorerack. But I did find a few negative reviews. Apparently nomorerack had been going around the been hacked for a while and reported as nomorerackscamThis issus has sice been fixed .

Nomorerack can offer suck great deals because they are always on the look out for overstock and closeout items. So when they sell out of an item it is likely they wont get it again. So don't miss out on the saving. Be sure you checkout nomorerack.com today.

**This is a paid review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely
mine, Monica Ball.

What is a "Weather Doppler Headache?"

2011-12-17T09:25:00.000-05:00

As I made an early morning wake up call to Supermom... Superdad aka hubby to Supermom broke in to our conversation to ask " What is a "Weather Doppler Headache?" Guess I should have told him that is not the CP name for it. But it was a great chance to explain to another non hydrocephalus related person about how the weather and even changes in the moon effect us hydrocephalus people.

I explained that as weather changes with the barometric pressure it effects the fluid in our brain. The CFS will increase trying to protect the brain from the increase of pressure from the weather making our head hurt and body ache from the changes.

Just like the old wives tale that people are crazy during a full moon. It is an effect that during a full moon gravity is stronger and pulls the brain down and people without hydrocephalus often feel bad and are just plan ill and hard to deal with. But for us with hydrocephalus it does the same but we have more pain from the change because our fluid around the brain and spine is very sensitive to the changes.

I should have also told him how my balance gets worse and have coordination issues. But I will save that for another time. I think it is a point for my hydrocephalus peeps each time we get to talk to a non hydrocephalus related person about this (our) condition.

What is a programmable shunt?

2011-12-15T07:09:00.010-05:00

After joining a new site on facebookI had some new friends ask if anyone had ever heard of a shunt that programmed with a magnet? My first response was... HUH??? Then I read some of the comments! This is a group for spina bifida and hydrocephalus Women.

Several had never heard of programmable shunts. One made a comment it sounded like Star Trek. I Now see that I need to get my act together and get back to my job at blogging.

This is information on codmen hikim which has been having a lot of complications with their shunts lately and I don't recomend for any one. It was the one I had to live with for 14 moths that was faulty. But This explains how they work pretty well.

I don't have a problem with Codmen I just want them to fix this constant problem with this shunt.

There are several other programmables also you can find on my blog one is the Medtrinic.

Magnetically programmable shunt valve: MRI at 3-Tesla
Frank G. Shellocka,b,4, Stephen F. Wilsonc, Chrospinal fluid. istophe P. Maugec
aKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
bInstitute for Magnetic Resonance Safety, Education, and Research, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
cResearch and Development, Codman, a Johnson & Johnson Company, Raynham, MA 02767, USA
Received 25 September 2006; revised 6 December 2006; accepted 7 December 2006
Abstract

A magnetically programmable cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt valve (Codman Hakim Programmable Valve, Codman, a Johnson &
Johnson Company, Raynham, MA) was assessed for magnetic field interactions, heating, artifacts and functional changes at 3-Tesla. The
programmable valve showed minor magnetic field interactions and heating (+0.48C). Artifacts were relatively large in relation to the size and
shape of this implant and, as such, may create a problem if the area of interest is in proximity to this implant. While multiple exposures and
various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditions at 3-Tesla changed the settings of some valves (i.e., reprogramming was needed), the
function of the programmable valve was not permanently affected. Therefore, this magnetically programmable CSF shunt valve is acceptable
for a patient undergoing MRI at 3-Tesla or less when specific safety guidelines are followed, including resetting the valve, as needed.

D 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Safety; MRI; Implants; Specific absorption rate; Artifacts; Hydrocephalus; CSF; Programmable valve
1. Introduction
A hydrocephalus shunt valve is an implantable device
that provides constant intraventricular pressure and drainage
of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the management of
hydrocephalus and other conditions of impaired CSF flow
and absorption. Programmable shunt valves allow
surgeons to noninvasively optimize the opening pressure of
a shunt system before and after implantation, permitting the
implementation of specialized treatment regimes.
Programmable valves are typically adjusted using an
externally applied programmer tool to magnetically couple
to the adjustable components of these devices.
Accordingly, exposure to powerful magnetic fields can
cause inadvertent changes in valve settings or permanently
damage CSF shunt valves. With regard to magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), various other issues exist for
programmable valves, including the possibility of movement
of the implant, extreme heating and the impact of
substantial artifacts.

The increasing clinical use of 3-T scanners necessitates the
evaluation of implanted devices at this higher field strength.

Therefore, the objective of this investigation
was to assess magnetic field interactions, heating, artifacts
and functional changes for a commonly used [1] programmable
valve (Codman Hakim Programmable Valve, Codman,
a Johnson & Johnson Company, Raynham, MA) in
relation to the use of a 3-T MR system.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Programmable valve
The programmable valve (Codman Hakim Programmable
Valve, Codman, a Johnson & Johnson Company) is an
implantable device that provides constant intraventricular
pressure and drainage of CSF for the management of
hydrocephalus and other conditions in which CSF flow and
absorption are impaired. Intraventricular pressure
is controlled by a bball and coneQ valve that is under
the control of a calibrated flat spring and can be noninvasively
adjusted with the use of an external programmer
with a magnetic mechanism. Hard magnets fixed within the
base of a moveable cam react to the presence of the
magnetic field by rotating the cam to achieve equilibrium.
The adjustable valve accommodates 18 valve settings from
30 to 200 mm H2O in 10-mm H2O increments. Metallic
0730-725X/$ – see front matter D 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.mri.2006.12.004
4 Corresponding author. Institute for Magnetic Resonance Safety,
Education, and Research, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA. Tel.: +1 310
670 7095; fax: +1 310 417 8639.
E-mail address: frank.shellock@gte.net (F.G. Shellock).
Magnetic Resonance Imaging 25 (2007) 1116– 1121
materials for the programmable CSF valve include 316L
stainless steel, Vacoperm (Ni–Fe), Vacomax (Sm–Co) and
unalloyed titanium.
2.2. MR system
A 3-T (Excite, Software G3.0-052B, General Electric
Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) active-shielded, horizontal
field scanner was utilized for all tests conducted on
the programmable valve.
2.3. Magnetic field interactions
Magnetic field interactions were determined for the
programmable valve in association with the 3-T MR system.
2.3.1. Translational attraction
Translational attraction was assessed for the programmable
valve using the deflection angle technique [12,17–19].
The programmable valve was attached to a test fixture to
measure the deflection angle. The test fixture has a
protractor mounted to the top of the structure and included
a bubble level to ensure proper orientation in the scanner.
Measurements were obtained at the position in the 3-T MR
system that produced the greatest magnetically induced
deflection angle. This point was determined
using gauss line plots, magnetic field measurements and
visual inspection to identify the location of the highest
spatial gradient. The highest spatial gradient for the 3-T MR
system occurs at a position that is 74 cm from the isocenter
of the scanner [12,19]. The magnetic spatial gradient at this
position is 720 G/cm. The deflection angle from the vertical
direction to the nearest 18 was measured three times, and an
average value was calculated.
. Torque
Magnetic-field-induced torque was assessed qualitatively
for the programmable valve using previously described
methodology. This procedure utilized a flat plastic
material with a millimeter grid. The programmable valve
was placed on this test platform in an orientation that was
458 relative to the direction of the static magnetic field of the
3-T MR system. The test apparatus with the programmable
valve was then positioned in the center of the scanner, where
the effect of torque is the greatest (based on the known
characteristics for the 3-T MR system), and observed for
alignment or rotation . The programmable valve was
then moved 458 relative to its previous position and again
observed for alignment or rotation. This procedure was
repeated to encompass a 3608 rotation of positions for the
programmable valve in the scanner. A qualitative scale was
applied to the results to characterize torque: 0, no
torque; +1, mild or low torque, the implant slightly changed
orientation but did not align to the magnetic field; +2,
moderate torque, the implant aligned gradually to the
magnetic field; +3, strong torque, the implant showed rapid
and forceful alignment to the magnetic field; +4, very strong
torque, the implant showed very rapid and very forceful
alignment to the magnetic field. Of note is that one of
the investigators (F.G.S.) has more than 20 years of
experience applying this qualitative scale to the characterization
of torque.
2.4. MRI-related heating
An in vitro experiment was performed at 3-Tesla/
128-MHz to determine MRI-related heating for the programmable
valve according to a previously described
protocol [12,17,19–21]. The programmable valve was
placed to approximate its intended in vivo use position in
a plastic head/torso phantom (head portion: width, 16.5 cm;
length, 29.2 cm; height, 16.5 cm; torso portion: width,
43.2 cm; length, 61.0 cm; height, 16.5 cm). The phantom
was filled with a gelling agent in an aqueous solution (i.e.,
0.8 g/L NaCl plus 5.85 g/L polyacrylic acid in distilled
water) [12,17,19–21].
Temperatures were recorded using a fluoroptic thermometry
system (Model 3100, Luxtron, Santa Clara, CA) with
fluoroptic thermometry probes (Model SFF, 0.5 mm in
diameter) positioned on the programmable valve to record
temperatures associated with the greatest heating during
MRI, as follows [12]: Probe 1, sensor portion of the probe
placed in direct contact with one end of the programmable
valve; Probe 2, sensor portion of the probe placed in direct
contact with the other end of the programmable valve; Probe
3, sensor portion of the probe placed in direct contact with
the middle portion of the programmable valve. The
positions of the fluoroptic thermometry probes were verified
immediately before and after the heating experiment. The
accuracy of the fluoroptic thermometry equipment used to
record temperatures in this study is F0.18C.
MRI was performed at 3-Tesla/128-MHz on the gelled,
saline-filled phantom with the programmable valve using a
transmit radio frequency (RF) body coil to produce a
relatively high level of RF energy, as follows: fast spin-echo
pulse sequence; axial plane; multislice; repetition time,
425 ms; echo time, 14 ms; echo train length, 4; flip angle,
908; bandwidth, 16 kHz; field of view, 40 cm; imaging
matrix, 256 256; section thickness, 10 mm; number of

I finally slept!!!

2011-12-10T12:17:00.000-05:00

OK!! so what!! I had to take enough medicine to kill a horse! I have been on this crazy up and down schedule of hardly sleeping more than 3 hours at a any one time. I will fall asleep at 7 in the evening then be up for hours. I might go back to sleep... I might not... Usually I have to take something to get another 3 to 4 hours of sleep which I hate because because it just starts a cycle of needing something to sleep.

After only getting 3 hours sleep the night before last night I felt horrible last night. I had gone to the gym and exercised. I have not blogged in days. I have just been running on spent energy.

I feel guilty not blogging but with not having any sleep I have been really pushing myself to just remember what I am suppose to be doing everyday.

I kept up my exercising and water aerobics. I could tell during the aerobics class I was really getting tired. The trainer would be requesting we be doing jumping and waving our arms. I would let my arms float in the water and pretend I was doing arm moves and high knees.

I would come home and fall asleep every evening as soon as I got home because I was so tired from not getting much sleep. I usually wake up at 4am spend time with my other friends with hydrocephalus on facebook not sleeping either.

So this is another evil side effect of hydrocephalus. It could also be just life in general. I have a dear friend going through a very stressful time right now.

I just got an up date yesterday on Jane. Her cancer has spread. She now has the Chief of the service for her kind of tumor who will do the surgery.He took it over from the original surgeon.

Tumor has grown. They will take 3 to 4 ribs, and part of her diaphragm (what holds lungs in place) and replace it with a mesh something. The tumor has grown into the lower ribs. The surgery will take 6 hours. It was suppose to be the 9th of December but has been rescheduled for December 13th.

So please be praying for Jane. For anyone just reading about Jane she is having surgery in NY. She has a Sarcoma over her liver.

Rev. Billy Graham continues to recover

2011-12-05T08:52:00.000-05:00

Late last week Rev. Billy Graham was hospitalized for the second time this year for phenomena. Rev Billy Graham is said to be resting well and felling better. He is reported to be telling stories of his past.

I noticed this morning someone was searching to find out who Rev Billy Graham's doctor was for his Parkinson. I was thrilled to see that they were forwarded to my blog. So they would be could read for their self that he has normal pressure hydrocephalus.

For several years the Reverend was misdiagnosed with Parkinson. Just as many other elderly patients have been misdiagnosed and still are.

After having a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. Rev Billy Graham quality of life greatly improved.

The shunt helped the tremors that Rev Billy Graham was having . He no longer shuffles as bad when he walks. His balance has also improved.

Since having his first shunt put in. The Reverend has had a second revision to a programmable shunt done her in Asheville. Rev Billy Graham had the same surgeon do his last shunt that I have had do several of my surgeries.

Owing My Small Business

2011-12-04T21:07:00.001-05:00

Guest post from: Constance Rodgers

Being the owner of a small business has been tough in this type of economy but we’ve been getting by. Small Business Saturday after Thanksgiving really helped although it wasn’t quite as much as I had hoped for – I’m really banking on these next couple of weeks before Christmas coming together to help us meet our yearly goals. Anyway, I’ve spent a lot of time getting the business updated so it’s more efficient in terms of small business xo and bank card processing and even dealing with my vendors – that’s really helped me in the long run when it comes to tallying my overhead at the end of the year. But anyway, I love being a small business owner but it’s tough – you don’t have time for personal relationships and much of a social lifeat all but I wouldn’t trade it for the world…I can’t imagine sitting at a desk all day long and that’s what I’d be doing if I wasn’t doing this – this is what I’m meant to be!

**This is a paid advertisement. The opinions made in this article are not mine,Monica Ball.

Prayer request for Jane

2011-12-04T08:03:00.000-05:00

I was running late yesterday morning!I had this beautiful red and black pant suit I was going to wear... I had not worn it in several years. I had not taken the time to try it on earlier either. Since loosing weight most of my clothes have been fitting great.

Well!!! I should have tried this on days ago! I was having to make a quick consume change. I grabbed some jeans, dress boots and a red shirt.

I have not told you this is a very important day... I'm meeting Jane, a friend from my water aerobics class for brunch.

You see this is not our usually lunch. We often meet once a month just to hang out and catch up on life. But this is for Jane. She is leaving today for New York for surgery.

A little over six weeks ago a mass the size of your fist was found over her liver...It is a tumor.

For a very long time Jane has been having a very hard time with the water at the pool. She said it would take her until late at night ti get warm from swimming.

The tumor she has is a sarcoma. Sarcoma is very rare. I'm not sure if anyone else is familiar with it.

If you read this please say a prayer for my friend. She will be having Surgery December 9th, 2011.

Jane I do hope you have a safe trip...

Not a great way to get a blog topic

2011-12-02T07:18:00.000-05:00

I have been stumped for days with nothing really hydro related to post about. I should not have complained in post because it happened. I got my blog topic.

Yesterday I was doing my usual feeding Pepper and Ginger. Which is a process. I have to get Pepper's medicine crushed add fiber cereal to wet food so he wont spit it out. Then give him his shot for diabetes.

But pepper will not eat until I feed Ginger her wet food and fake like I am giving him cat food too. But today went wrong.

I usually just feed Ginger a good spoon full of wet food. But She needed a new can opened. The can was a pull top lid. I have had some appetizers I gave to other people because my left hand can't grip to open the can.

So I was opening the can the same as I have for Ginger for over 7 years and Pepper for over 13 years. The can slips from my hand and the lid cuts my left hand and it starts poring the blood.

Of course Pepper helps me by cleaning the cat food out of the floor....

Not sure if I have blogged about this in awhile. When I had my brain tumor and the pressure build up. One of the complication I had was I lost function nearly paralyzed on my left side. I had to learn to walk again at 8 years old.

Today when I get tired my left foot will still drag at time. I have been ask before if I was hurt.

When I dropped the can yesterday I caught it with the inside of my arm. Nothing like having chicken cat food all down the front of your shirt.

I'm in a Christmas Fog

2011-12-01T07:32:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if anyone has noticed but I have blogged about Shopping my last few post. I have not post in sever days now because that is all I can think about is Christmas shopping.

So I give up! instead of going without content on my blog. I'm blogging about what is consuming my mind.

I think I was meant to be a Christmas baby. My birthday is Christmas eve. Everyone always has to say don't you hate having your birthday the day before Christmas?

I always loved it! I thought it was the best thing in the world that everyone got presents on my birthday!! When I was little. My parents explained better to me.

It was when I was very little I started wanting my own Christmas tree in my room. It was about 4 inches high. I still have the lights and small ornaments.

I even had to have my own presents to go under my tree. My mom would let me spend a few dollars on each present. I remember one of them was pins to go on sweaters or coats.

My mamaw was buried with her poodle pin still on her dress from when I gave it to her as a child. I can remember I got my aunt frog pins because she had a thing for frogs.

Several years I made pot holders with the weaving sets. I made sure to see what color every one's kitchen. I didn't want to be giving odd colored pot holder to people.

I love Christmas! I love giving presents! I love shopping for people! I have a problem. I don't have enough money for all I want to get for everyone. I also enjoy getting Secret Santa and sending to people that are doing special things and not getting ,credit from anyone for the
good deed they have been doing.

Always look at the positive

2011-11-26T14:31:00.000-05:00

Yesterday for the first time since I have been a little girl I went shopping on a "Black Friday." Before I ever became sick in 2002 I worked in retail for Lowes for nearly 10 years and Sears before that.

All my "Black Friday" experiences have left me remembering all the grumpy people fussing about how they hated the holidays and hated having to buy presents! All Christmas was any more was a money racket!

I still get a sick feeling in my stomach remembering how much I got "Bitched" at ever year. It turned most of my coworkers against the holidays but I learned to kill them with kindness. Sometimes it worked.

Sometimes I was just over it! "Yes! you are right why not just stop buying presents!" But then I would be told well we can't do that! But Why??

I think it really bothered customers that I told I loved the holidays. I would get a response of it was just about buying presents. I loved getting to tell that I loved to give to the "Angel Tree." I also woulds ask about if they did anything like that. You could tell the ones that were telling the truth. They would repeat their self and stumble over their words.

Its true I love Christmas. I love giving presents. Not to get anything back. Just because I see something that makes me think of that person. I think I need get it for them. I wish I could afford to do more and get more for so many more people at Christmas.

I really enjoyed shopping yesterday. We did not get out and hit the break of dawn sales like some of the people. But we got out and found some sales still.

I think my friend I use to work with I now swim with at the pool said it best. "Monica aren't you glad we we don't have to deal with all that "Black Friday" craziness anymore"

We are both disabled now but had to both work together and deal with the same things. So we are trying to look at the bright side...lol

I feel warm fuzzy feeling

2011-11-25T06:01:00.000-05:00

http://support4bryanstow.com/bit
First thing this morning I went to Bryan Stow's blog and saw this amazing picture. It seems since Bryan's accident it has brought his family closer together. I think this is so special.

I admire his family and being here for Bryan like they have. I have to be honest I'm a bit jealous of how Bryan's family has really been there for him. I like think when I have family sick my family would come come together and become closer from something like this.

But reality of life. My family does not work this way. I am so so very thankful for the best mom and dad in the world! With out them I would have no one...I do have the most amazing friends in the world!!!

They are exactly what a family are suppose to be like. If it was not for my mom and dad I would not have any family.

My Granny will do anything in the world for me but she has never had a drivers license.
l
I did have my Mamaw up until 2010. But honestly no matter how much I thought I have done and been good to my family over the years they live their own life.

No one realizes hydrocephalus is a life long condition!

I have wonderful friends that have come to love me more than my family ever has.

I'm so happy for Bryan Stow To see him and his family together I know this is am amazing Thanksgiving

I was really excited to see Gabby and Mark Kelly serving Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. I know my post is all over the place today. Gabby only used her right hand but you could see she has come a long way in her recovery.

For Gabby having to stand and for long periods of time was like a therapy session in itself.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/gabrielle-giffords-serves-thanksgiving-dinner-military-retirees-tucson-base-article-1.982411

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:21:00.000-05:00

There have been several holidays my parents and I have put on hold because of me being sick with my hydrocephalus. But I am so thankful this Thanksgiving I an feeling like enjoying the holiday.

All the years of my life growing up my Thanksgiving and Christmas has always been spent with my parents and my mamaw. Now its just the 3 of us since mamaw died.

Recently in the past few years granny, my momma's mom has started eating with us since it is just too hard for her to cook on her on.

We have traditions we like to do to help some close friends and neighbors that have helped us over the years and been here for us. When we fix our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner we fix a meal and take to several different neighbors that don't have family or are in need of help.

Two of the neighbors have passed away this year so we don't have as many to take dinners to... It's a good feeling to know you can take a dinner to someone that is unable to get out and go to relatives for the holiday.

They always go through their houses to find me a gift in trade when all I really wanted is to get to give them this gift... I love being able to give... This is why I love Christmas. I love giving...

I really do have so much to be thankful for. Even if I only have my momma,daddy and granny to spend the holidays with. I have so much to look back on from this past year.

I'm thankful for making it over a year and I think I have a shunt system that is going to work for a while.

I am thankful that Deanna moved back home because she is just like my family. She must have known I really needed her because I don't have much family left.

I am so thankful for all my friends the past 5 years I have found at the YWCA. They all love me and mother me and worry about me and my mom. More than any of my own family ever has.

It just proves family does not have to be blood kin to you. If we don't show up to work out someone will call to check on us.

When my mom had surgery the ladies worried their selves to death.

I am thankful for my life even if its not perfect.

I can't forget... Which I almost did... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! GRANNY!!!

Happy Birthday Granny!!!

2011-11-23T10:29:00.000-05:00

Took Granny out for her birthday yesterday. She will be 83 Thanksgiving day.

I am thankful to still have my Granny. I lost my Mamaw in 2002.

I love Pigeon Forge

2011-11-22T10:32:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I got to test my shunt going through the Tennessee Mountains and and curves that usually really give my headache a really bad time. I got to enjoy a day of shopping and Winter Fest Pigeon Forge.

My parents and me had not been to Pigeon Forge in over a year. A lot has happen since we have been there last. This trip was a lot better than last. My mom was miserable the last the last trip. She was unable to walk in hardly any of the stores.

My mom and I both have been doing the protein diet and exercising in the gym plus I'm doing water aerobics and my mom does some water exercise also.

I am so proud and happy that she is loosing and actually not hurting as bad. I was so excited when we were able to shop together yesterday.

She still had some pain at the end of the day but my back had started to hurt too. I was ready to go home at the same time she was.

Getting ready for Christmas

2011-11-20T06:44:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of my Christmas tree from several years ago... I love the holidays. I love my Christmas tree. If you know me you know it's more than just a Christmas tree. Its years of memories.

Every ornament on my tree has a story. I have ornaments to represent important members of my family. When I had my cousin to help put up my tree several years I have an ornament with her name the year she helped.

I have deer ornaments to represent my daddy's love of deer. my papaw use to bird hunt so I have pheasants to represent him. Blue birds and yellow bird for my Mamaw. Red birds for my mom.

I of course love purple and carousel horses. Actually any kind of horses. I know red and green are more Christmas colors. But it would not be me if it was not purple. I have to be different.

I also have ornaments of my first dog, Cricket, on of my very first. He was nearly 15 when he died. I never thought I would love another dog as much as I loved Cricket.

I love putting up my tree but have not been able to for several years because of being sick and not feeling good or having surgery near Christmas.

The big tree is always hard to get put up too... So I have substitute trees... They are sad compared to my big tree. I have not even taken a picture of the mirror them. Just because...

This year its been one year since my last surgery. I'm putting the "BIG TREE" up this year! yesterday my dad took that HORRIBLE! carpet off my wall behind the other tree and replaced it with really cool mirrored tile!

I have wanted that carpet down since I bought my house. So now its gone. I think will look great with the lights twinkling in the mirror.

Gardening

2011-11-19T06:35:00.000-05:00

As many of my close friends on here know I live beside my parents. With that I get to share many meals with them.

Something My dad still does is grow a garden. I start a lot of seeds as you all saw in my inside greenhouse.

Every year the garden gets a good bit smaller. Momma and daddy still can and freeze certain things they just don't like buying or you can't get the same same thing or quality in the grocery store.

They can greasy cut short beans, mustard and collard greens. Then my daddy loves to put up relish which is just like salsa with a sweet taste.

We still have an area for tomatoes and peppers. Then we will always still have to raise beans, some squash, just enough to eat.

We had been talking about this for a while but I figured it would be a while before we went through with the project.Then I saw my dad com home with the trees...

27 Trees! Yes! We had one apples tree... We now have 27! Daddy was so excited over all the trees he set them all in 2 days... I think his wrist is broke. j/k

I found this picture of a apple tree in bloom. I forgot how much I love the bloom of apple trees. They are beautiful. We have 17 different kinds of apples. My dad even made a grid to know where every tree was. I'm working on what they need for the winter.

In spring we are getting a beehive to help pollinate. I hope to learn to make candles from the honey comb. So anyone with any kind of advice. I'm willing to learn...

Getting Back to Gabby

2011-11-16T05:55:00.000-05:00

If you were like me you missed the interview with Gabby. Thanks to my online friends and great supports groups I got to see it. Here is the link:http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fabc.go.com%2Fwatch%2F2020%2FSH559026%2FVD55153303%2Fgabby-giffords--mark-kelly-courage-and-hope&h=3AQFLK-kGAQHeGCNb-0BN4rcBoN5vzmVPWEl8ORlfHsjWJg

I really liked the fact that we got to see Gabby's recovery step by step. It brought back memories of my own recovery from my brain tumor.

Things have advanced so much in these different therapies as I watch them use song to get her to help her memory.

I wonder if anyone else notices her voice is like it was when she was a child. Small and timid. She does not sound strong and confident like she once did.

Many of my friends were very disappointed that hydrocephalus was not brought up in the interview. But this interview I think was more about the book and her recovery. I would like to read the book.

I think when she "gets back to gabby" she will look more into hydrocephalus and hydrocephalus research.

2011-11-14T10:47:00.000-05:00

Repost from December 29,2009

Sometimes I wonder why life keeps throwing things at me to stress me out. I have never ask why even when I was little and in the hospital. I did ask my mom why I was not on the news like Nancy Regan for having surgery for my brain tumor ( at 8 years old I did not realize all the other children in the world going through the same as me. I felt like I was all alone in my journey)

With my head hurting everyday and body aches endlessly going on the world still hands me lemons. While being out of power for 8 days I stayed with my parents. Pepper loves Momma and Daddy. But I guess like candy we can all have too much of a good thing. On day 3 of staying with my parents Pepper was up all night and acted as if he had had a stroke the next day. But medicine thankfully helped him out. Mostly he slept but I rather have him sleep than stress and worry trying to go home and not understand why we could not go.

Then Christmas going out to use the bathroom Pepper sprained his hip. I took him to see Dr. Scott yesterday because I am still having to carry him everywhere, he can't go up steps, walking on 3 legs and is not wanting to drink or eat much.

Dr. Scott reassured me it was a sprain and gave us some pain meds to help him through the healing. We all thought only people could get hurt on the ice.

I got super stressed and ill with the power people they came Christmas eve and got every ones power on around me but my house. I called and was promised someone would fix it first thing the next morning. Christmas Day!! Well no one came. Day after Christmas finally a guy came to see it was a fuse that needed to be replaced. In 2 minutes I had my power.

I had been taking up for the workers of the power company until I called 2 days before Christmas and they told me a total lie that they were working on Teague road.

During the storm my Granny's dog died. She had had her dog for over 15 years.

This morning I found out my niece had to re home her puppy because her mom is going through a divorce and having to take on all the house hold bills and they are both grieving over him not being there. My heart is aching for them both. Although it was the best decision for the puppy it is still hard to deal with knowing he is gone.

I'm at a loss I want to help but I don't know how.

I saw someone had been looking at Ginger's picture. Which gave me the warm fuzzy feeling. Then I read the post close to her picture. I really love snow!

My facebook friends tease me about snow dances. Wow! did I eve think that one post would bring back a flood of emotions...

Who knew?

2011-11-13T06:14:00.001-05:00

In 2002 I went through a 14 month nightmare. I had my nearly 20 year old shunt replaced for the very first time.

Much I don't remember because of a faulty shunt. I had to be rushed every few days to few weeks to the ER four hours away. I was constantly told that it was nothing was wrong with my shunt!When I found another doctor to take out the shunt. He found numerous problem with the shunt I had. Before you ask no I did not sue... I worry another doctor will never help again. Plus I know nothing was done to me out of malice. I think...

If the Dr. F would have just stopped long enough to do the RIGHT tests! He would have seen in minutes just Dr. M did.

I have learned that you need an isotope study. Also called a nuclear scan.

Dr. M scheduled this test and I remember being really ill because I had been through the ringer with the firth Dr. F.

You are on a table with a tap in your shunt and dye put into the shunt the scan takes up to 2 and half hours to watch all the fluid go through your shunt. You can watch as your valve will release the fluid all the way from your shunt down to your abdomen.

But to get your shunt to open and flow like normal the scan is recorded while you are in different positions from flat to 45 degrees and on your side. Which on a rock hard table laying there is not easy.

After month of wondering if this was how I was going to die... This doctor saw there were problems with this shunt.

All the other doctor wanted to preach to me was "It's not the shunt!!!"

After having the isotope I remember telling my parents I had no idea there was a test to tell if the shunt was working.

2011-11-12T07:52:00.000-05:00

I want.... No... I need to share this story with my hydro friends and other friends that read my blog. I have a very good friend that I met through blogging and she also has health issues.

This is one of the reasons we connected so well. Besides having just herself having issues health she has children with health issues.

Tragedy recently struck when here husband had an accident. You would think Melissa could not possibly add anything else to the list of possible things happening when talking to her. But things got worse...

As you know in my own personal blog post Pepper is my name sake for my blog because of the things he has done to help me while I have been sick. He was never trained as a medical aid but he bonded with me and has been here for over 13 years now.

I want you to read my friend Melissa's story. I have hurt with her all week putting myself in her shoes.

I could try to tell what happened but I'm just going to let you go to her blog and read what happened. Its much better this way.

http://pathsfromkeegssoul.blogspot.com/2011/11/rip-dixie.html

I need a hug:(

2011-11-10T14:30:00.000-05:00

I like to keep ignoring what headache I'm having to deal with each day and keep making stupid excuses why things change. For the past week I have been so fatigued and feeling bad. I started out with a back pain...

Then I was blessed Monday with a crick in my neck.

My headaches have also been bothering me a bit more and suddenly... for the first time since I had this new shunt put in a year ago I can hear it draining when I stand up. So I hear this like click,click,click,click....

I'm really hoping this is not my shunt acting up...

Gloves are no guarantee your doctors hands are clean

2011-11-09T06:48:00.000-05:00

This is not what I want to be reading as flu season approaches. i read this article last night telling how germs can go through the Latex gloves and they could be covered in germs.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/gloves-are-no-guarantee-your-doctors-hands-are-clean/?ref=health

When my mom was recently in the hospital I observed signs saying you had the right to ask the staff to wash their hands at any time. My mom and another man had surgery with the day.They did very well. They are both older in their 50's.

A younger woman, my age, ended up not doing as well. She developed a staph infection.

It always bothers me when doctors come in and start shaking hands. I know it's being nice and all but it really stresses the issues even more about about are they getting their hands clean enough.

Duggar's are pregnant with number 20

2011-11-08T14:49:00.004-05:00

The Duggars of the TLC's reality show about them 19 kids and counting announced on the Today show this morning that they were expecting baby number 20. Baby 19 was born just 17 months ago 3 months premature.

The labor was dangerous and Josey was born with health problems. It really bothers me that after they have so many children already they still think they need more.

Many times when talking about the children they are assigned their number not called by name. So are we really seeing the true purpose they are to the family. In stead we hear what step in the family they are at in either 1 to 19 or 20.

Michelle said they did not mind if they had a disabled child. With her being 45. After having 19 children there is a possibility of disability in this next child.

Why would they not look into adopting a disabled child?

Guest post from president of WNC Brain Tumor Support group George Plym

2011-11-07T05:52:00.000-05:00

Most people that would be reading this blog already has some knowledge about Hydrocephalus. But just in case they are newbies, here is the short version of what it is:

Hydrocephalus: a condition of excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. Hydrocephalus may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull. The IICP could cause cognitive impairment and eventually if progressive, stupor and coma. Hydrocephalus is usually due to blockage of CSF outflow in the ventricles or in the subarachnoid space over the brain. It may occur after a brain infection (meningitis), brain hemorrhage or from a tumor compressing the ventricular system. Treatment is often by placing of a shunt. (ABTA)

How do you explain the condition to somebody else who has no idea how debilitating this condition can be? My example goes like this:

It is kinda like when you have a bad case of indigestion. Gas starts to build up in the stomach, causing pain. The pressure continues to build up in the distressed stomach, finally relieved with a belch or a “farinaceous abdomen radiate tension” (f.a.r.t. for short =-0). But when the pressure is in skull, there is no "release valve" if there is a blockage of the CSF in the brain. Many times, this is the case when a brain tumor has closed up the ventricles. Surgery in most cases is the common treatment. When the tumor is resected, the ventricles are again clear allowing the CFS to flow at normal pressures. It will take some time for the swelling to go down . In that time, the doctor may prescribe steroids. Because of the side effects, steroids should be used only in a short period of time.

There are cases where the patient will still have the symptoms even after surgery. In my case, all of the necrotic matter had accumulated into the ventricles. A spinal tap was used to relieve some of the pressure. But it would only lessen the pressure temporarily. After four spinal taps, a spinal drain was inserted. That allowed most of the "junk" to drain. As the fluid changed from an apple cider appearance to a clear liquid, the drain was removed and a lower lumbar shunt was installed. It was the best I had felt in years! It didn't hurt bending over or going up steps. Again I could pick up my grandchildren without pain! At least not a tremendous headache for a while…

But the ordeal was not over. Now I had major pain in my stomach. Every breath I took there was pain. Too often, shunts need to be revised. Instead of going through a revision, I opt to have the doctor just go ahead and remove the shunt completely. It did its job as in lowered my CSF from outstanding pain to tolerable pain! Like many of you, I have good days and bad days. Appreciate the good ones!

George is world known as a long-term brain tumor survivor, being diagnosed in 1967 with an astrocytoma. He went on to have 11 more brain tumors in over 44 years, along with two other cancers. He now has another tumor, although it is a different type. He now has a meningioma caused by radiation. He is the founder president of WNC Brain Tumor Support in Asheville, North Carolina and is also a member of the Wake Forest University Comprehensive Cancer Center Regional Advisory Board Winston-Salem, North Carolina. You can view his website which is:

Personal website: www.braintumorsurvivor.webs.com Organization: www.wncbraintumor.net

INCREASED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE (IICP)

Some patients with brain tumors develop increased intracranial pressure. IICP occurs for several reasons:

· An increase in the mass within the rigid bones of the skull because of tumor growth

· Blockage of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

· Swelling of the tissue around the tumor due to the accumulation of fluid (edema)

When a tumor blocks the normal flow of CSF within the brain, hydrocephalus occurs. Hydrocephalus causes increased pressure within the skull, and the increased pressure damages the delicate structures of the brain.

Symptoms of IICP are:

· Headache usually just after waking and lessening as the day goes on

· Vomiting usually just after waking, with or without nausea

· Mental changes, often sluggishness or drowsiness

· Uncoordinated, clumsy movements

· Seizures

Obstructive and Communicating Hydrocephalus

2011-11-05T10:44:00.000-04:00

What is Obstructive Hydrocephalus

This is an increase of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. It is caused by a blockage of CSF flow within the parts of the brain. This prevents CSF from getting to areas where it will be reabsorbed. Tumors, cysts, or birth defects ... Read More »

Source: http://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/B_EXTRANET_HEALTH_INFORMATION...

What is medical definition of obstructive hydrocephalus ?

-sef´ah-lus communicating hydrocephalus that in which there is free access of fluid between the ventricles of the brain and the spinal canal. noncommunicating hydrocephalus obstructive h. normal-pressure hydrocephalus , normal-pressure oc... Read More »

Source: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/obstructive+hydro...

Hydrocephalus - Wikipedia on Ask.com

Communicating hydrocephalus, also known as non-obstructive hydrocephalus, is caused by impaired cerebrospinal fluid resorption in the absence of any ...

wiki.ask.com/Hydrocephalus

Obstructive Hydrocephalus | Life123

Obstructive Hydrocephalus Answers to Common Questions What is Obstructive Hydrocephalus? This is an increase... is medical definition of obstructive hydrocephalus ? -sef´ah-lus communicating hydrocephalus that in which there is free access

www.life123.com/question/Obstructive-Hydrocephalus

Communicating Hydrocephalus | Life123

the ventricles of the brain and the spinal canal. noncommunicating hydrocephalus obstructive h. normal-pressure hydr... http://medical-dictionary.t... Communicating Hydrocephalus Answers to Common Questions What is communicating hydrocephalus? n. A form

www.life123.com/question/Communicating-Hydrocephalus

What Is Communicating Hydrocephalus | Life123

the ventricles of the brain and the spinal canal. noncommunicating hydrocephalus obstructive h. normal-pressure hydr... http://medical-dict... What Is Communicating Hydrocephalus Answers to Common Questions What is communicating hydrocephalus? n. A form

www.life123.com/question/What-Is-Communicating-Hydrocep...

Obstructive Hydrocephalus - Nervous System Diseases

Obstructive hydrocephalus is a form of hydrocephalus which is caused by some visible blockage in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Learn more about it here.

www.nervous-system-diseases.com/obstructive-hydrocephal...

The Johns Hopkins Headache Center | Obstructive Hydrocephalus

Obstructive Hydrocephalus is a potentially dangerous condition where the normal drainage of spinal fluid out of the brain's ventricles is blocked and the resulting ...

www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/specialt...

Common Drugs and Medications to Treat Obstructive Hydrocephalus

WebMD provides a list of common medications used to treat ObstructiveHydrocephalus.

www.webmd.com/drugs/condition-1052-Obstructive Hydrocep...

LOOK!!! what Bryan can do!

2011-11-04T10:42:00.000-04:00

Bryan Stow's Family is celebrating! This picture of his name is What his sister's posted on their blog. They said the picture spoke for itself... Truly it does!

http://support4bryanstow.com/News-Updates

Before Halloween there was an update reporting that while sometimes his memory was off for his injury his memory was incredible. They spread out about 3 hours of physical therapy and occupational therapy through out the day.

Bryan complains often of his pain being a 10 out of 10. I know the pain tires him very easily. It's so hard to push yourself when you have so much pain.

Adult hydrocephalus second-opinion Progrgram

2011-11-03T10:10:00.002-04:00

In researching about normal pressure hydrocephalus I found a place in Maryland that does second opinions for people over 18 with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus. You can find more information here http://www.lifebridgehealth.org/Main/RemoteSecondopinionProgramforAdultHydrocephalus.aspx?cpsys_redirect=404

If you have had a doctor that has already diagnosed you with hydrocephalus you can ask for another opinion through this second opinion program.

As I am reading this more though It's not covered by insurance... I was doing a blog post on this thinking it was a really good thing. I'm not so sure I am a fan of it now. We can ask for a doctor to do a second opinion. Plus... our insurance will usually cover it.

I'm not sure how I feel about this any more.

Types of Hydrocephalus

2011-11-02T10:08:00.000-04:00

When you look up the types of hydrocephalus we find 2 types congenital and acquired. You will find a basic definition. But a definition this does not explain how it occurred in each patient. This is why I like hearing other people’s stories. We can all learn something from each story because we are all different.

Congenital hydrocephalus is the buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at birth. Acquired hydrocephalus caused by injuries or conditions that develop after birth such as homage, meningitis, head injury, tumors and cysts.

Hydrocephalus can arise before birth or any time afterward. It may be due to many causes including a birth defect, hemorrhage into the brain, infection, meningitis, tumor, or head injury. Most forms of hydrocephalus are the result of obstructed CSF flow in the ventricular system. With birth defects, physical obstruction of CSF flow in the ventricular system is usually the cause of the hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a common companion of spina bifida (meningomyelocele).

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) can also occur due to a gradual blockage of the CSF drainage pathways in the brain. Although the ventricles enlarge, the pressure of the CSF remains within normal range. NPH is characterized by memory loss (dementia), gait disorder, urinary incontinence and a general slowing of activity.

In old age or persons with Alzheimer's disease, the entire brain may shrink and the CSF fills up the space created by the shrinkage. This is not due to hydrocephalus.

The diagnostic signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus depend upon the age of the person.

But when we get to comparing notes we find that there are may be 2 general types of hydrocephalus but when we each start telling our story they can all be very different. This is part of what makes this condition so difficult. Not a single one of us is the same. A lot of the times we even look like we don’t even have a condition all.

Possible life saving device created for children with hydrocephalus

2011-10-31T10:15:00.000-04:00

Ten years ago, working on a night shift as a resident in a Madison emergency room, Josh Medow found himself treating a child with hydrocephalus, a disease in which fluid accumulates in the brain. The child had a headache and the anxious parents feared the worst — that a shunt designed to drain the fluid had failed and potentially lethal pressure was building up in the boy's brain.
Medow realized there was no way to check whether pressure was indeed increasing, short of intrusive and painful procedures. The child ended up in the operating room.

Read

Today, Medow, 38, and an attending neurosurgeon at UW Hospital, is on the verge of patenting a device he invented that allows doctors and even parents to easily keep track of cranial pressure in a child with hydrocephalus.

About 700,000 people have hydrocephalus, a disease in which the body is missing the ability to re-absorb the cerebral spinal fluid that bathes the brain. That fluid is normally made and drained three times a day, Medow said.
But in those with the disease, it builds up and creates dangerous pressure that can lead to brain damage, stroke and blindness. Normally, a shunt keeps the fluid drained, but studies show half of all shunts fail within two years. Sometimes, for example, they get clogged; fluid builds up and pressure increases.

Medow couldn't stop thinking about the problem. There had to be a better way, he thought, to know whether a shunt has failed than doing surgery on the shunt itself, an operation that can cost as much as $15,000 and cause considerable pain.
That night, when he got home, he made the initial drawings for a device that could eventually be made small enough to be implanted to monitor pressure and allow parents and doctors to know whether a shunt had failed without doing invasive surgery.

Medow realized there was no way to check whether pressure was indeed increasing, short of intrusive and painful procedures. The child ended up in the operating room

The long journey from that night in the emergency room to the invention of the tiny silicon implant that now sits on his desk is partly a tale of how medical devices come to be. But it is also a story of invention, full of twists and turns, moments of insight (that light bulb going on over the head), night-long sessions in Medow's basement where he initially cobbled together a prototype, and a trip or two to Radio Shack.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/health_med_fit/article_ba627bc2-fe9b-11e0-802d-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1cMiIrXeB

http://www.hydroassoc.org/ha-updates/university-of-wisconsin-doctor-creates-pressure-monitor/

Guest Post by blogger: David Haas

2011-10-29T07:29:00.001-04:00

PepperKnowsBest welcomes guest blogger, David Haas. David is the author of Cancer is my Bitch,Pink's Vickory and Company, Haas Blag,and Janel's Pancreatic Cancer Angel's.

Cancer and the Benefits of Exercise

A good exercise routine, along with a healthy diet, is beneficial to a person’s health. Studies have shown that it can help reduce the risks of many diseases, including cancer. Research has also shown that exercise can be beneficial for individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Exercise has been shown to reduce fatigue and improve overall fitness and health in cancer patients. It has been shown to increase the quality of life for individuals after diagnosis, in the middle of cancer treatments or those in remission. It helps the body stay stronger during and after therapies that tend to weaken the body.

Exercise is a good stress reliever and can improve a cancer patient’s overall mood. It can help an individual fight depression and anxiety that can be associated with a cancer diagnoses.

A physician should be consulted before any exercise plan is implemented. The type of cancer treatment, the stage the cancer has reached and the patient’s fitness level before a cancer diagnoses all play a role in the amount of exercise that will be suggested.

Different cancer types often have different fitness plans. For example, breast cancer treatments often cause weight gain and muscle loss around the shoulder areas, therefore, the focus may be on high-intensity cardiovascular exercises to help with weight control and weights that target strengthening shoulder muscles and surrounding areas.

Gastrointestinal cancer patients often lose weight and muscle mass, which makes building lean muscle a priority. Lung cancer or mesothelioma can cause lung limitations. A lung cancer and mesothelioma treatment plan may include moderate to low-impact exercises. Cancer patients often undergo surgeries or receive treatments that alter appearances. Exercise that helps to improve an individual’s body image after cancer treatments often improves quality of life.

Even after an exercise plan is implemented, a cancer patient should listen to their body. There will be good days and days that may be hard. Stretching or doing short intervals of exercise during the day can make it easier. Some yoga techniques or breathing exercises can help relieve stress without added exertion on days that are tough.

A fitness plan should be re-evaluated based on the changes in treatment and the healing or progression of the cancer. Research has not shown that exercise is a cancer cure, however, it is beneficial to the body’s overall health. Exercise and a healthy diet can help the body fight off other chronic diseases and improve overall wellbeing.

By: David Haas

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Guest Blogger -David Haas

Autumn headaches

2011-10-27T10:57:00.002-04:00

It is becoming a beautiful fall season here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. But with the beautiful colors comes allergies for many people without out hydrocephalus. But when you already have a hydrocephalus headache. Your itchy eyes and the added sinus pressure tightens up like a vice.

My headaches gets worse. I do the normal thing like most everyone and take an allergy medication. For me this has been making things worse.

At least the headaches.I'm sure this has something to do with my hydrocephalus.

I have blog before that I am unable to take adult allergy medication because it makes me nervous. I am nervous to the point my teeth will chatter and I will even shake like I'm cold.

I have been taking a children's allergy pill. It did not seem to be making me as nervous. But now the headaches are getting worse with the allergy medicine.

I'm not sure if everyone with hydrocephalus has the same problem when trying to take an allergy medication.

So What was is it?

2011-10-26T12:30:00.000-04:00

The most common question when it comes to hydrocephalus. What type of shunt do you have? What shunt do you think most people with hydrocephalus have the most problems with. Usually the debate is about how many of us "Like me" will never try another programmable shunt again.
I don't want to post shunt manufacturer name on my site. I was contacted by a new friend last night and told about a complaint being made about a programmable shunt. I about fell out of bed! It was the VERY SAME! Shunt I had...

The reason I am not naming the shunt company is I don't want them to think I am in anyway involved in a lawsuit toward this company. It is just very important that it is brought to the attention of this company.

Tina is contacting the manufacturer about her malfunctions that were found. If you are interested in contacting Tina Grose Edwards you can click here to find her on her facebook page.

My previous shunt had at least 3 different malfunctions found by Dr. M . Those were just the ones that he found in surgery. Dr. M said he would send my shunt back to the manufacturer to be analyzed and improved for future research.

This made me feel some better until just now , talking to Tina I ask when she had her shunt surgery. The concept of the programmable sounded good at the time. I had a different neurosurgeon at the time.He explained the different programs were so I would not have to have multiple surgeries if the setting was wrong on the shunt. It made good sense.

He said with my old shunt it was a medium flow and difficult to tell what setting I would be comfortable with...Oh! My goodness was that ever an understatement. My headaches were blinding. I still have hard feeling toward that doctor. He was going to let me die.

You have to remember I had never heard of hydrocephalus. So I only knew I had a shunt. I never knew I had a condition. I had a brain tumor.

Every 2 to 3 weeks I was rushed back to the ER to change the setting of the shunt. I would not just have a severe headache and need to change the setting. I would have tremors to the point I could not stand. Or half the time I was loosing my sight.

I had to find another doctor to find that there was something wrong with the shunt. We knew nothing about this condition but all this doctor could do is repeat "There's nothing wrong with the shunt!"

Bryan Stow had another infection

2011-10-25T08:24:00.000-04:00

I was reading Bryan Stow's update a few days ago. The update told he had a fever showing he probably had an infection once again.

I know the fatigue from this infection really pulled his system down even though they took Bryan to the rehabs trauma unit. Physical Therapists still did therapy with him. I know it's important to keep his muscles mobile but give the man a break. If he has an infection this would mean he would be extra fatigued and tired!

I was in the hospital for 30 days when I was 8 years old, after my brain tumor surgery and shunt surgery. I also had outpatient physical therapy.

I had to learn how to walk. I could not even remember how to put my foot down on the grown from heal to toe. My muscles atrophied. At 8 years old I did not understand this at all. It was a very confusing time to have to start crawling through my house at 8 years old once again.

http://support4bryanstow.com/News-Updates/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1039/Moving-forward-never-looking-back--101911

Gabrielle Giffords is in Asheville

2011-10-24T07:01:00.000-04:00

Gabby arrived in Asheville on Sunday for two weeks of intensive therapy sessions as she continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the head. She is expected to be working with the same therapists she has worked with for months in Houston.

There are no reports where Gabrielle will be receiving therapy. After blogging on Gabby's condition for so long and educationing others about hydrocephalus and her condition. I am so happy that Asheville has a rehabilitation system to help her.

The Arizona Congresswoman is reported to be staying in the area until November 4. No other details were given. Mission Hospital in Asheville was contacted but they did not have any information about the congresswoman's arrival or therapy. Just my opinion but with HIPPA laws, the hospital could have information but unable to release any information.

With Gabriel's injuries and handicaps. I think she will be going to one of our more advanced therapy centers. CarePartners Thereputic Hospital could give her the most extensive and advanced therapy. they have a therapeutic pool they keep at 90 degrees. CarePartners also has many differnt accomidations for patientents with numerous handicapps.

I looked into there program when I was at my worst. They have a wonderful tramatic brain injury program. I was unable to do the program because it was a half day program. I was too weak at the time. I found out later that I was bed ridden because of a faulty shunt.

Gabriel Gifford was shot when she was speaking at a public event Giffords is recovering from a brain injury suffered on Jan. 8 in Tucson. Six people were killed and 13 were wounded, including Giffords, when a gunman went on a shooting rampage during a political event.

To releave pressure on her brain a Skull flap had to be removed to prevent extenxive swelling. This surgery saved Gabriel's life.

Months later when when a synthic skull flap was replaced Gabriel also had a shunt placed at the same time. The shunt will help to balance the spinal fluid around her brain since I'm sure after the tramma of being through a gun shot her head does not know how to feel anymore.

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20111024/NEWS/310240028/Rep-Giffords-rehabs-Asheville?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

I just want to say "Welcome to Asheville"

Hydrocephalus around the World

2011-10-22T10:09:00.000-04:00

I found this story in one of my hydrocephalus groups. This one reminded me about my own doctor.

In 2003 Dr. McLanahan replaced a very faulty shunt for me shunt for me. I think I have blogged before that he saved my life. The shunt I had had at least 3 different malfunctions.

He was the first neurosurgeon after seeing 3 other to do an isotope study to test the flow of the shunt.

I can't remember exactly how long after my surgery it was they went to the other country to do there missionary work but it seemed it was a year or 2 after my surgery in 2003. I will look to see if I can find information on the great things Dr. McLanhan and the other doctors, nurses and PAs that went to the third world country that did not have extensive neurological treatment.

They did all kinds of surgeries while they were there.

They prefromed surgeries on brain tumors and hydrocephalus. They saw injuries and cancer while they there. I'm sure people were lined up waiting needing treatment.

I really admire Dr. McLanhan for the work that he does. I feel confident every time he doe surgery on me because he has done extensive studding of hydrocephalus in Germany. The anti-syphon device I have now came from Germany. Dr. M says they hold up better and he has better results from the device.

Here is a link I recently found found about Dr. McLanahan...

http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2046513809313466678&postID=1339913844747793062
This is the main web site to Carolina Medical Center

http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/carolinas-medical-center-6360280

Be sure to read the story about the Unganda Babies at the bottom... I was un able to close the open space....

Series 2011 | Episode 13 | Uganda's Miracle Babies

Cast and Crew Information

Cast

Journalist or Reporter: Jenny Kleeman

Crew

Producer: Suemay Oram

Watch this episode now on 4oDJenny Kleeman and Suemay Oram travel to Uganda to investigate hydrocephalus: a preventable yet misunderstood condition that affects a quarter of a million babies a year in Sub-Saharan Africa.
They visit Africa's only paediatric neurosurgery hospital and meet the mothers in a race against time to save their babies' lives.
Hydrocephalus - or 'water on the brain' - occurs when fluid builds up inside the skull, putting huge pressure on tissues inside, causing brain damage and death. Hydrocephalus has many causes, but in Uganda most cases develop when babies contract infections after being born in unsterile conditions.
It is more common than deafness or Down's syndrome worldwide, and easily treated in the developed world. But in Africa, few hydrocephalus babies get medical attention. Without treatment, 90% will die before their second birthday.
The team begins their journey at the CURE hospital in Mbale, eastern Uganda, where mothers are praying for their babies' lives while they wait for brain surgery. The hospital treats 4000 children a year, with 20 new hydrocephalus cases arriving every day.
Kleeman meets Dr Nekaka, who is examining Sarah, a two-month-old who needs urgent surgery. A scan shows that hydrocephalus has already left her brain damaged, but with early treatment, Sarah's brain might grow back and recover.
On the packed ward, Kleeman meets Loy, and her nine-month-old son Kazimiri, who is in the advanced stages of hydrocephalus. It took Loy six months to borrow and save the money to pay for their transport here, and she had to watch Kazimiri deteriorate while she tried to scrape together their fare.
Kleeman and Oram are invited into the theatre as the surgeon, John Mugamba, operates on Sarah and then Kazimiri. Dr Mugamba is one of only five neurosurgeons in Uganda. He tells Kleeman that most cases are entirely preventable, but poor neonatal care, poverty and a lack of surgeons mean many die needlessly.
Sarah's surgery is straightforward: her parents brought her in early so her treatment was simple. But Kazimiri's condition is so poor that the surgery has to be abandoned. Dr Mugamba tells Loy he will wait a week before trying again.
Hydrocephalus is particularly common in the least developed parts of the country. In Gulu, the team meet Winnifred, whose daughter shows advanced symptoms. Like Kazimiri and Sarah, Oroma was born a normal baby, but her head began to swell after an infection.
Winnifred tells Kleeman her husband left her after Oroma started changing. She says that local people insult her and say that she's bought a curse on the village.
The team returns to the hospital just as Kazimiri comes out of his second surgery. Dr Mugamba has managed to save his life, but only by inserting a drainage tube into his head.
Loy won't know the extent of any permanent brain damage until Kazimiri is older. The tube will need to be replaced with further surgery as he grows. Getting him to hospital once has already bankrupted her family, but Loy had decided to fight for his life, whatever the cost.
While Kazimiri is still in hospital, the team hears that Sarah is recovering well from her surgery. They travel to see her at home in her village and find that her condition has already improved only five days after treatment.
She's lucky to have had the operation early. Sarah's father, Oluport, tells Kleeman: 'She will be somebody who can go to school, maybe work, by herself. Even when she woke up today, I saw that she was a bit better, and I felt very good.'
Watch now on 4oD

Clips from Episode 13

Uganda's Miracle…

All Clips (1)

On TV

First Shown

Date	Time	Channel
Friday 21 October 2011		Channel 4

Last Shown

Date	Time	Channel
Friday 21 October 2011

Complications of hydrocephalus

2011-10-21T11:37:00.000-04:00

You are here: Home » Education & Support » Learning About Hydrocephalus » Life-Threatening Complications of Hydrocephalus

Life-Threatening Complications of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is almost always treated successfully with surgical placement of a shunt or an ETV; but rarely does either treatment last a lifetime without complications. A critical aspect of managing hydrocephalus is being well informed and staying vigilant about potential life-threatening complications. Most problems associated with shunting or ETV occur weeks or even years after the surgery. When things are going well, it is easy to forget about hydrocephalus and having a shunt or an ETV. We encourage you to stay alert and informed. Feel free to call or email the Hydrocephalus Association for more information about any of the complications listed here.
Knowing what symptoms to watch for will help you become more at ease. Although the early symptoms of shunt malfunction or infection in children—fever, vomiting and irritability—are similar to many childhood illnesses, you will learn to determine the symptoms associated with shunt failure in a particular individual. Adults tend to exhibit the symptoms they experienced before treatment when there is a problem. If you have any doubt about symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact a doctor. If you suspect there is a problem with the shunt, you are wise to have it checked by the neurosurgeon rather than ignore it. It is better to have a false alarm checked than to leave it unattended. Remember, although shunt complications can be very serious and become life threatening, they can almost always be treated successfully when they are discovered early.
An estimated 50% of shunts fail within two years and 20-50% of ETVs close up within five years. Either treatment can fail at any time. Infections are less common, but still not infrequent. Be informed and vigilant. Be prepared to act quickly. Mere hours can mean the difference between a resolvable complication and brain damage or even death, especially in children.

Shunt malfunction is usually a problem with a partial or complete blockage of the shunt. The fluid backs up from the site of the obstruction and, if the blockage is not corrected, almost always results in recurrent symptoms of hydrocephalus. Shunt obstruction can occur in any part of the shunt. Most commonly in children, the ventricular catheter (the one in the brain) becomes obstructed by tissue from the choroid plexus or ventricles. In adults it is more often the distal catheter (the one that drains the fluid to another part of the body) that becomes blocked. The catheters or the valve may become blocked with blood cells or bacteria. Shunts are very durable, but the components of the shunt can become disengaged or fractured as a result of wear or as a child grows, and occasionally they move from where they originally werei placed. More rarely, a valve will fail because of mechanical malfunction.
Shunt infection usually is caused by a person’s own bacterial organisms; it is not acquired from exposure to other children or adults who are ill. The most common organism to produce infection is Staphylococcus Epidermidis, which is normally found on the surface of the person’s skin and in the sweat glands and hair follicles deep within the skin. Infections of this type are most likely to occur one to three months after surgery but may occur up to six months after the placement of a shunt. People with ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunts are at risk of developing a shunt infection secondary to abdominal infection, whereas people with ventriculo-atrial (VA) shunts may develop generalized infection, which can quickly become serious. In either case, the shunt infection must be treated immediately to avoid life-threatening illness or possible brain damage.
Other Shunt Complications may include the shunt system draining fluid at the wrong rate. Overdrainage of the ventricles can cause the ventricle to decrease in size to the point where the brain and its meninges pull away from the skull or the ventricles become like slits. If blood from broken vessels in the meninges becomes trapped between the brain and skull, resulting in a subdural hematoma, further surgery is required. This is most common in older adults with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Slit-like ventricles, sometimes called slit-ventricle syndrome (SVS), are most commonly a problem in young adults who have been shunted since childhood. Underdrainage of the ventricles can fail to relieve the symptoms of hydrocephalus. To restore a balanced flow of CSF it may be necessary to place a new shunt containing a more appropriate pressure valve. For those who have externally adjustable or programmable valves, the balance of flow can often be restored by re-setting the opening pressure.

4th person arrester in Philly dungon case

2011-10-20T12:26:00.000-04:00

$1M Bail for Daughter of 'Ringleader' in Mentally Disabled Kidnapping Scam

The 32-year-old daughter of alleged ringleader Linda Ann Weston is the fourth person arrested in the case of the kidnapping and imprisonment of mentally disabled people

By Teresa Masterson

| Thursday, Oct 20, 2011 | Updated 8:14 AM EDT

View Comments (14)

NBCPhiladelphia.com - Tim Furlong

Police arrested a fourth person in the disturbing case of a house of horrors in Northeast Philadelphia.

The adult daughter of the convicted murderer who allegedly orchestrated the kidnapping and imprisonment of mentally-disabled adults for profit

Jean McIntosh, 32, daughter of 51-year-old Linda Ann Weston, was arrested early Wednesday on charges of kidnapping, conspiracy, unlawful restraint, simple assault, burglary, and other related charges.

McIntosh is a co-conspirator in a horrific case in which four mentally disabled people were found locked up in a tiny boiler room in a Philadelphia sub-basement, allegedly so their captors could cash their Social Security checks, the DA says.

McIntosh is the fourth person to be arrested in the case, along with her mother, Gregory Thomas, 47, and Eddie Wright, 50.

It was the landlord of the apartment building at 4724 Longshore Avenue in the Tacony section of the city who discovered the four people, who all have the mental ability of a 10-year-old, in a foul-smelling room that was so small an average adult would be unable to stand up straight in the room.

Multimedia

Inside the Tacony 'Dungeon'

WATCH

Inside the
Tacony 'Dungeon'

Kids Involved in Dungeon Case

WATCH

Kids Involved
in Dungeon Case

More Multimedia

Police then found dozens of pieces of identification and power of attorney documents for the four victims, pointing to a wide-range fraud scheme.

The bizarre case became more complicated Tuesday when six children and four teenagers were removed from the care of Weston, all having signs of abuse and malnutrition.

Among the children and teenagers taken away was Weston’s niece, 19-year-old Beatrice Weston, who was reported missing in 2009.

“This is a very complicated case," Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey told the Inquirer Tuesday night. "This is a very sad story. It makes no sense. When you look at the kids, the psychological trauma is pretty apparent. It's some of the worst things I've ever experienced."

To add to the bizarre and horrific facts in the case, Weston was convicted of keeping 25-year-old Bernardo Ramos in the closet of her North Philadelphia apartment until he starved to death in 1981.

Reports from the 80s state that Weston and her sister, Venus Weston, beat Ramos with a hammer, tied him up in the closet, fed him only three times over two months until he died because he refused to pay child support for her sister’s unborn child. Weston only served eight years for the crime.

"This is a long-term case. It'll take some time," Ramsey said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we find other things along the way."

This is just my opinion but if she had already been convicted of killing her boyfriend. Why would she

be out on the streets again?

I think this is a really good example how our system is failing us as disabled citizens. It does not make me feel very safe as a disabled single female.

4 mentaly disabled adults found in basement

2011-10-18T08:57:00.000-04:00

A landlord was investigating a tenant for having a dog in there basement. She enters the basement to find there is no lights. Thinking there is a problem with circuit breakers she goes to the electrical box to flip the switch. Apparently the light bulbs had been removed.

But when she get down to the boiler area she finds 4 people huddle together. One chained to the boiler. They were in a small room 10x15 dark with a bucket to use for a bathroom.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/10/17/philadephia-basement-handicapped-theft-scam.html

Diet is doing more than I expcted

2011-10-15T13:14:00.000-04:00

Exactly a year ago I started a as a support person in a weight loss program I thought it would be a really great chance for me to learn more about my own diet and how I could improve. I also needed to help my friend with their weight loss journey.

It is rebound diets that cause so many of us problems. But I feel like I’m truly onto a life that I can live for the rest of my life. I’m not dieting. If I want to eat something I eat it. I don’t count calories. I’m not spending a lot of money on the pricy frozen meals in the grocery store. I have not got a pricy trainer at the trendy gym wearing the short shorts…LOL!! BUT if I could still sport them I might wear them…

Something you may not realize about me is I have been sick since 2002 and in and out of the hospital. So to my new readers this is the reason for my need to diet. While cleaning up my diet something amazing has happened. Many of my hydrocephalus friends have heard me talk about fatigue for a very long time. I have had such a very hard time with it and worry about others having problems from fatigue.

The fatigue is becoming less of a problem every day. I can compare my post from a year ago it was all I could do to get the energy to just walk to the walk through the house.

In nearly a year now I have lost close to 30 pounds. It has all been from adding protein and continuing water aerobics and working out in the gym.

I want to explain about my protein diet a bit better. I have added protein shakes to my diet. (No they are not Slim Fast) sometimes I will drink one. Sometimes I will drink two. But if I want something good to eat I still eat.

Protein is the key that has helped me to loose. I like either Whey or Soy protein. They come in any flavor you can think of from fruit flavors to flavors like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. I even will take a vanilla shake and add fruit to it.

They work great to keep you from feeling hungry. The possibilities are endless. You can try something different everyday.

Grey's Anatomy

2011-10-14T11:46:00.002-04:00

Meredith was in surgery when Christina came and gave her the eye to let her know something was wrong. She needed to leave in the middle of surgery something was wrong. Meridith would stop this ground breaking surgery to find out that her baby was sick.

This episode kept the whole staff on their toes. The staff at Seattle Grace were faced with having to listen to the social worker and not telling Derek and Meridith about their baby.

Unknown Derek had seen CT scans earlier of the bowel obstruction his baby had. Derek viewed the scans wand commented asking if anyone was assisting with the obstruction. Kerev was nervous when he had to reply to Derek about that Arizona was assisting. You could tell he was wanting Derek to notice it was his daughter.

When Christina pulled Meredith out of Surgery that is when it was discovered their baby had a bowel obstruction caused by the distal going into the baby's abdomen. Meredith found out she came rushing in to the room. She was sure something was wrong! It must be the hydrocephalus!

This was the number one reason Derek and her thought they would be great parents to a special needs child. They could be there at the drop of a hat and help when their child was in need.

When Derek wanted to take over the discussion turned to switching the baby's VP shunt to a VA shunt. Grey's Anatomy is really following hydrocephalus and how our condition progresses.

In 2001 I had adhesion's that started all my problems from the past 11 years. My bowel had not obstructed. But I was not able to eat anything but liquids for months.

The thing is adhesion's wont show up on a scan, you usually have to wait until there is a complete obstruction like with Derek and Meredith's baby. Then there is so much scar tissue from the surgeries that the distal(the tube or shunt) the scar tissue to connect to the intestines. This keeps foods and fluids flowing through.

Mine was caught when they were just causing pain. It took months to find a doctor that would do exploratory surgery on me. If I had not I would have ended up with a bowel obstruction much like this. Only the baby did not show how painful they really are.

After having several years of problems with scar tissue and having to replace several shunts because mine would not drain into my abdomen. In 2003 I switched to a VA shunt.

I want to thank Grey's Anatomy for contuning this story line. I blog at www.pepperknowsbest.com to bring awareness to hydrocephas.

Asheville is #5 on Gallup -Healthways Wellbeing Index

2011-10-13T15:58:00.000-04:00

Asheville is number #5 on the Gallup-Healthways Wellbeing Index. citizens of Asheville eat fresh produce more regularly than almost any other place in the country, in no small part due to its 15 farmer’s and smaller “tailgate” markets.

My family still grows a garden to freeze and can vegetables for the winter. Many are are considering. If not already raising beef and pigs for their family. not just for the health reasons but the economic reasons also.

Asheville has numerous trails and parks that promote exercise and bike riding. More areas are becoming animal friendly so you can bring your pooch to exercise too.

http://www.helptohaiti.info/weight-loss/asheville-makes-another-list-the-8-best-us-cities-for-weight-loss-mountain-xpress/

Bryan Stow enters Rebab

2011-10-12T07:50:00.002-04:00

With momma having surgery last week and my nerves being on edge all week. It was nice to hear some good news last night. I first saw the updat on KRON 4 on facebook last night. They usually report the most recent news on Bryan.

If I had not been so tired I would have posted a blog then. I was so excited to see he was progressing.

I went to KRON this morning you can see here: http://news.yahoo.com/video/losangelescbs2-15750780/beaten-giants-fan-bryan-stow-released-from-hospital-for-rehab-26902293.html#crsl=%252Fvideo%252Flosangelescbs2-15750780%252Fbeaten-giants-fan-bryan-stow-released-from-hospital-for-rehab-26902293.html

Byran is able to eat. he can talk, and able to have movement in his arms and legs.

Bryan will recover and bounce back fast but I remember when I was 8 years old I just went 4 weeks without walking. I had to learn how to walk again. Starting from the basics. I even crawled at one point because my balance was so bad.

With advance in physical therapy it is possible that therapist kept Bryan's muscles more limber than than they did mine. neurologist and neurosurgeons did not see a need to bring in physical therapy for me in 1983. It was my pediatrician that called in a physical therapist to help me after my brain tumor.

Remember the "Super Moon"

2011-10-10T09:29:00.000-04:00

As many of us know with hydrocephalus a full moon can make our headaches worse because the gravity of the earth is stronger during a full moon causing pressure to build up more and cause headaches and nausea.

A full moon will even make someone that doesn't have pressure issues feel bad. There is a saying in the south "It must be a full moon." Because it seems certain times of the month people will have more road rage, be more impatient and just plan rude.

With the super moon being closer to the earth and the extra issues with the what happened 10 days ago in Japan. My headache had not adjusted to what scientist showed the earth tilted and spinning faster which explained my headache I had http://www.pepperknowsbest.com/2011/03/could-japans-earthquake-and-tsunami-be.html

Here is the post when I researched the idea.

As you can see from the picture the moon is beautiful but my headache isn't. The moon is super sized and so is my headache.

This post is a repost from March 2011

Burnout

2011-10-09T19:33:00.000-04:00

I've been gone from blogging cause of personal reasons... But I have found myself struggling to blog. Please all health bloggers need to read this post

Thank you Wego Health
http://blog.wegohealth.com/2011/10/06/hachat_recap_burnout/

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes

2011-10-09T12:20:00.000-04:00

Who do you call your family?

2011-10-08T09:54:00.000-04:00

I consider many very close friends family because I don't have that much family besides Momma and Daddy.
My momma's mom has tried to do what she could over the years. She is willing to come stay with me anytime I need her to. She will cook for me or do anything I need or want or try to help me in any way. Granny is very limited though. She has never had a drivers license.

My Daddy's mom died 3 days before I started having any problems from my hydrocephalus. I sometimes wonder if it was God's way of protecting her from the stress of my illness.

I know she would have worried herself to death about me. The stress was very. hard on my parents especially before we understood and was told what my condition was.

Plus we were having to drive to Duke every 2 to 3 weeks sometimes in the middle of the night to the ER and stay for days. One time we were in the ER and there was a lock down cause of gang related issues.

We were in the waiting area 10 1/2 hours one time. We could not leave to go to another hospital or even get anything to eat. I have tons of stories like this.... We thought many times how this would have effected my Mamaw.

Mamaw was always by my side when I was a child when I was in the hospital with my brain tumor surgeries.

Thanks to hydrocephalus I have a very bad nerves. I have always been a bit emotional. This is common with most people with brain trauma, not just hydrocephalus.

This may sound odd but I just don't do well with momma having surgery. I much rather deal with it myself. I know it sounds crazy but I feel like I have dealt with more surgeries I know how to figure out how to wiggle out of bed to keep it from hurting the from the surgery pain.

I use to constantly think of different ways to keep from using my belly muscles. Those stitches were little but they really hurt.

My nerves have be a wreck since her surgery. I have been scared to death that I would have a headache or get water in my ears. That would cause that crazy headache....

What if I had a episode!!!! What would I do?

I have to tell you God helped me out....No major headache.

But, Wow! those nurses taking me from one room to the other must not realize sharp turns, getting up fast, running down the hall, and jumping around is about to make my head explode.

Then I see what the stress did. I lost nearly 5 pounds this week. Don't think I was not eating either. Actually I was not getting to drink my protein shakes. I would start to drink one and daddy would stop me and say let's go get something to eat. I would even come back and drink the protein too. Because the cafeteria food was so terrible. It was suppose to be a health food cafeteria. But I saw the nurses had brought pizza hut pizza LOL!!

I've found out when you really need someone that is when you find out who your true friends are. Chell was the first one that called me after momma was taken into surgery. Then Deanna was not far after.

Chell offered to come take care of Pepper. But I really think he would have eat her for dinner. Deanna came and did a run through with all of Pepper's medicine. Pepper loves Deanna but was not sure he wanted her giving him his insulin...LOL

Then there is the ladies we swim with. We all have been friends at the YWCA for about 5 years now. We all have a very special bond.

I talked to Bonnie several times because she does not have a computer. Plus I know she really wanted to be able tell everyone how momma was doing.

I have a hard time opening up once I have shut down with my nerves attacking my system. Thanks so much to my hydrocephalus.

I got a email from from another good friend Jan. I just about took the safe way out and just text her back.

But I made myself call her. I did not realize it but I needed to talk to her. She made me feel a lot better. Jan reminded me that my friends are waiting for us to get back. She wanted me at the pool. Jan was going to come get me.

I can't forget Judith was going to drive momma home if for some reason I could not get her home. Sandra and Peggy also offered to drive me if I needed help. But I did have daddy. He just has trouble driving after dark.

Everyone offered to help in anyway they could. I felt really loved by the way the ladies were offering to help me.

I'mstill not ready to leave momma alone yet. Daddy is taking such good care of her. He went and got her roses for when she came home and balloons.

2011-10-07T17:58:00.001-04:00

Bryan Stow Update

2011-10-06T18:36:00.000-04:00

It was nice to see an update for Bryan... I have been having a really blue period. I don't want to blog or be on facebook so glad to read this.

Update 10/6/11

Happy October!

Hard to believe the 6 month mark just passed. The day we got that phone call on March 31st seems like almost an eternity. Bryan continues to show good progress and while we are so excited and grateful, we pray it continues.

An ultrasound showed that Bryan still has blood clots. While they haven’t gotten smaller, they also have not gotten bigger so that is good. The doctors are still working on getting the right amount of blood thinners to get the clots under control.
Bry’s trach was finally removed and the site has closed up and healed, which makes him much more comfortable. Bryan continues to talk with a stronger and clearer voice, but he gets very tired easily and when he doesn’t want to talk, he doesn’t.

Bryan had an exciting week. On Saturday, Bruce Bochy came to visit. He gave Bry his signed SF hat that he wore in. He spent about 45 minutes talking to him and telling him that he wanted him at Spring Training! As he was leaving, Bryan said to him, “Bye. I love you.” Mr. Bochy said I love you too!

On Sunday, Bryan’s friend arranged for one of Bryan’s all-time favorite bands to visit. Queensryche was playing in SF and came by before one of their shows. When they first got there and were outside his room gowning up, Bonnie said to Bryan to look out the doors; that Queensryche was right outside. He looked out and said, “They are all dressed up. I’m not dressed up.” We assured him he looked great and had to laugh because in true Bryan fashion, he was concerned about how he looked. When they walked in, Bryan got a small smile. Erin asked him if he knew who they were and Bryan said, “Queensryche. My favorite band.” The band stayed for about 45 minutes, asking questions and talking with Bryan. As they were leaving, Bryan actually asked them to dedicate a song to him. We later found out they dedicated our song choice for today’s update.

We love it when Bryan says things that are his own, as opposed to repeating things we say. Once, Erin and Bonnie told him that thousands of people were looking forward to him throwing out the first pitch next season. Bryan said, “I’m there.”

Couponing is not a new trend

2011-10-01T17:25:00.002-04:00

All week I have been working on some sales and coupon deals. Well... They don't always work out the way I what them to.

I order coupons off ebay and from coupon clippers because I hate clipping and dealing with a lot of useless coupons I will never use.

Plus when I go to get a deal I plan on it being a real deal! Not 50 cents off and you really can't tell the trouble in cutting the coupon in the first place.

Ok so people look and stare like my mom and me are one of those extreme couponers. My momma has been doing coupons and rebates since 1983. She did not do it to start a movement like all those women on the show...

My mom had to!!! When I was in the hospital with my brain tumor she had taken a month off to stay with me in the hospital. She went to her boss to ask for another leave because I needed to go to radiation, physical therapy and other doctor appointments.

This was before there was before there was family medical leave act. My mom was forced to quit. This is when she started couponing.

This was in 1983. So I am not new to the couponing world at all. I think it is so funny that people are acting like this is such a new fad.

People stared like it made them mad I had mad a deal. But I put together the ebay sale. I found it on SoutherSavers. Just like anyone else can do. I ordered my coupons. I had to wait until Thursday to get my coupons. All these people had all week to jump in front of me to get these deals and they did not. So I feel like I deserve to stock to my sale items.

So here is what I got:
I was going to walgreen's to get Lady's speed Stick for $3.79. Because I had a Buy one get One coupon. I ran in Family Dollar because I had a coupon for Clean and Clear. And Saw Lady's Speed Stick for $2.25.

Guess What?
I'm using my coupon here! I got 34.

I also needed some Bengay pain patches and ordered some $3.00 coupons. This happened by accident. I went in Walgerrns and they had the patches regular $8.49 on sal for $4.99! I had to go to 2 different Walgreens but I am stocked up!

I also have a $3.00 coupon on the Precise I'm going to share with my friend Deanna. CVS has the Precice pain patch on sale this week. So she will be able to get them for the same as I did the Bengay.
ay.

Deanna has a surgery coming up and does not take narcitics so I'm hoping she wont have to use the patches. But she will have them if she needs them.

My mom and I also stocked up on Arm and Hammer Liduid Soap it was on Buy one get one in the trial size. We had a $1 coupon on any size. This made them nearly half off! We got 40 bottels.

I planned another deal that did not work out. I needed allergy pills take childrens but allergy. I have great allergy coupons. I was going to stach with a walgreens coupon. Then get an exrta care buck to pay for my Lady's Speed Stick. But everything works out for a reason.

Oh!! and the Britta water pitcher I saw on SouthernSavers there is a $5 coupon for and a $10 rebate. Then I found another coupon for $4 in All You Magazine. The deal was suppose to be at walgreens. I went to Walgreens I see my pitcher $23.99.

I'm not paying that!

So we had to make a stop ant Bed, Bath and Beyond. Suddenly there was the pitcher! $9.99. WOW!! Thank you Southern Savers for the tip!

Promotion

2011-09-30T19:26:00.001-04:00

Guest post written by Rolf Tate

Lately I’ve been worried about starting my new job. Even though I have worked extremely hard with this company I did not think a promotion would come as quickly as it did. Once I was called into my boss’s office I assumed I might have done something wrong and the next thing I know he is telling me that I’m getting a promotion and the company is going to want me to move. A promotion was great news to both me and my wife but I know we were both a little bummed out that we were going to have to make a move. A friend of mine in the office recently sent me an email giving me some advice about the moving process. The best piece of advice he gave me was switching my basic cable provider to satellite TV and referred me to Satellite 911 deals Now at least I know one thing will be for sure when I end up making my move.

2011-09-30T11:26:00.003-04:00

Family Reports That Bryan Stow Speaks

September 22, 2011, 1:51 pm • Posted by KQED News Staff and Wires

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(Bay City News) Bryan Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan who suffered brain damage when he was beaten after a baseball game in Los Angeles, is making progress in his recovery and is speaking, his family said Wednesday.

Bryan Stow family photo. (support4BryanStow.com)

In a hard-to-hear gravelly voice, Stow was been able to say the names of his children, Tabitha and Tyler, and when shown pictures of them he said, "I would like to see them soon," Stow's family said on a website they created to chronicle his progress.
In August, Stow, a 42-year-old Santa Cruz man who was attacked outside Dodger Stadium after the March 31 season opener between the Giants and the Dodgers, encountered setbacks in his recovery as he battled infections related to surgery to replace a missing part of his skull with a bone flap.
Swelling in Stow's brain had prompted Los Angeles doctors to remove a portion of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain. Doctors at San Francisco General Hospital said the procedure saved Stow's life, but that replacing the missing skull fragment has proved challenging.
Doctors have had to attempt that surgery several times in recent months because of complications. Doctors performed the most recent surgery to insert the bone flap on Aug. 10.
His temperature shot up as his body fought off a urinary tract and staph infections, according to his family, and he became less responsive. Before then, he had been showing signs of improvement, mouthing words and giving kisses to family members.
The infections had prevented doctors from performing additional necessary procedures, according to his family.
By the beginning of this month, Stow's condition had improved enough that on Sept. 13 doctors inserted a shunt to permanently divert fluid from his brain. In the week since the surgery, Stow has made facial expressions, and began talking on Wednesday, his family said.
"We are blown away with all of this," the family said in a statement on the site. "Literally one day we got some facial responses and the next, he's talking."
The doctors have been monitoring Stow closely after they also recently removed a filter that had been inserted to catch blood clots that could enter his lungs.
A full-body scan in the past week revealed clots in one of Stow's thighs, his abdomen and his shoulder. According to his family, doctors are considering blood thinners and whether to insert a permanent filter.
"Bryan's had many ups and downs, and though we see how far he has come, we try not to look too far back into these past 6 months, and we can't look too far down the road so we focus on right now," Stow's family wrote.
Before the attack, Stow worked as a paramedic in Santa Clara County. He was attacked as he left Dodger Stadium on March 31 by two suspects who first taunted him but then hit him from behind, causing him to fall.
Two men have been charged with Stow's beating--Louie Sanchez, 29, and Marivin Norwood, 30 -- and pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles County Superior Court last month to mayhem and assault charges. Sanchez and Norwood are scheduled to appear in court Sept. 30 at 8:30 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.

Samuel

2011-09-30T10:55:00.000-04:00

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A picture began circulating in November. It should be "The Picture of the Year,"... or perhaps, "Picture of the Decade." It won't be. In fact, unless you obtained a copy of the U.S. paper which published it, you probably would never have seen it.

The picture is that of a 21-week-old unborn baby named Samuel Alexander Armas, who is being operated on by surgeon named Joseph Bruner. The baby was diagnosed with spina bifida and would not survive if removed from his mother's womb. Little Samuel's mother, Julie Armas, is an obstetrics nurse in Atlanta. She knew of Dr. Bruner's remarkable surgical procedure. Practicing at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, he performs these special operations while the baby is still in the womb.

During the procedure, the doctor removes the uterus via C-section and makes a small incision to operate on the baby. As Dr. Bruner completed the surgery on Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developed hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon's finger. Dr. Bruner was reported as saying that when his finger was grasped, it was the most emotional moment of his life, and that for an instant during the procedure he was just frozen, totally immobile.

The photograph captures this amazing event with perfect clarity. The editors titled the picture, "Hand of Hope." The text explaining the picture begins, "The tiny hand of 21-week-old fetus Samuel Alexander Armas emerges from the mother's uterus to grasp the finger of Dr. Joseph Bruner as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life."

Little Samuel's mother said they "wept for days" when they saw the picture. She said, "The photo reminds us pregnancy isn't about disability or an illness, it's about a little person" Samuel was born in perfect health, the operation 100 percent successful. Now see the actual picture, and it is awesome...incredible....and hey, pass it on! The world needs to see this one!See More

By: Sean Keeling

· ·

Amazing things happening!

2011-09-26T19:31:00.000-04:00

I come home from a long day and of course check on Bryan Stow. I did not expect to see an update since the sisters usually update once a week. Suddenly I got a great surprise! I'll just let you read for your self...
http://support4bryanstow.com/News-Updates/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/992/Magical

Why Pepper Knows Best?

2011-09-25T16:49:00.000-04:00

How often have you gone to my blog I have hydro, hydro doesn't have me looked up at and seen the link and wondered why is it is called "Pepper Knows Best?

Pepper is 13 years old now. I blog about my hydrocephalus Pepper is the one who took care of me through most of it.

You will find post where Pepper found me having a seizures (home alone) and pulled me out of the seizure.

When Pepper was 4 years old he had to be re- house train to use a to use the bathroom inside because he refused to leave my side because I was so sick. My dad would come in to try to get him to go out to the bathroom. Pepper would crawl over my stomach and refuse to move.

When I started blogging I could not think of a better fitting name for my blog than “Pepper Knows Best”

This is a picture of Pepper not feeling good recently. He means the world to me and my mom and dad because of the way he took care of me when I was sick. Even before that when I worked at Lowes would leave for work each day an leave him as a puppy with my dad.

When he started doing things out of character we became very worried. That night he would not sleep in the bed. He has been sleeping with me ever since the very first day I brought him home.

I really tried to make him sleep in the bathroom when I brought him home. But he cried.... O>>> And I would cry... so I would put his bed beside my bed he still cried...I still cried

I thought this is my dog! My house! My bed! I was single for a reason to do what I wanted! I wanted my puppy! ~tear~ So from then on my baby would cry no more!

I had no idea the monster I was creating. He is a momma's baby. My friends online have watched messaged and text and prayed about my pepper because they know how much he means to me.

I wondered if some would think I was over reacting because to some people he may just be "just a dog" You have to realize that when you make a comment like he is "just a dog" you need to look what they have done in their life.

Much like you would before you judge a man before you convict him. Everyday that daddy had him out at the shop pepper was in and out of trucks. Helping my dad by grabbing guys that would be under cars on creepers by the hair and pull them out from under the car! LOL!

I have so many Pepper stories. I could go on for days.

But when he was not acting like himself I was sure it was a stroke. I walked into the kitchen. He stumbled and acted like he was stiff he just froze.

I knew he was in pain. My parents saw him and thought the same thing. Another system he was not making it to the bathroom. This had me convinced something really bad was happening with my baby.

Pepper is diabetic. So I keep his insulin on hand. He also has some back issues so

I keep pain medicine on hand if he needs it. Of course it is in Pepper size dose sorry Sophie Supermom

will have to talk to Dr. R for your own puppy hook up...LOL

Last night Pepper was pacing and uncomfortable. I gave him some pain medicine. I tried to get him to lay down in the bed. I felt so bad. I was crying.

I tried one last time to get him to lay down in the b ed with me. I thought he needed to be in the bed instead of the hard floor.

He came and laid his head across my stomach like he was loving on me to console me. Then he got up he wanted me to put him back in the floor.

It was 12:30am in the morning I was sure Pepper was telling me "good bye." I called and woke up my mom I was a wreck. Yep, I called her! I was crying and scared.

I had give him some medicine when he was up in the bed thinking if he was relaxed he would be more comfortable. Nope pepper was more comfortable in the floor.

I was asleep. When Pepper woke me up coming to bed an hour and half later. It was 1:30am. I was so happy.

With Pepper's back problems. We now thing that he has probably has hurt hisself jumping off the bed or couch.

Best Divorce Letter Ever

2011-09-23T20:33:00.005-04:00

BEST DIVORCE LETTER EVER
Dear Wife, I’m writing you this letter to tell you that I’m leaving you forever. I’ve been a good man to you for 7 years & I have nothing to show for it. These last 2 weeks have been hell. ... Your boss called to tell me that you quit your job today & that was the last straw. Last week, you came home & didn’t even notice I had a new haircut, had cooked your favorite meal & even wore a brand new pair of silk boxers. You ate in 2 minutes, & went straight to sleep after watching all of your soaps. You don’t tell me you love me anymore; you don’t want sex or anything that connects us as husband & wife. Either you’re cheating on me or you don’t love me anymore; whatever the case, I’m gone. Your EX-Husband P.S. don’t try to find me. Your SISTER & I are moving away to West Virginia together! Have a great life!

—— Dear Ex-Husband Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter. It’s true you & I have been married for 7 years, although a good man is a far cry from what you’ve been. I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining & griping Too bad that doesn’t work. I DID notice when you got a hair cut last week, but the 1st thing that came to mind was ‘You look just like a girl!’ Since my mother raised me not to say anything if you can’t say something nice, I didn’t comment. And when you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confused with MY SISTER, because I stopped eating pork 7 years ago. About those new silk boxers: I turned away from you because the $49.99 price tag was still on them, & I prayed it was a coincidence that my sister had just borrowed $50 from me that morning. After all of this, I still loved you & felt we could work it out. So when I hit the lotto for 10 million dollars, I quit my job & bought us 2 tickets to Jamaica But when I got home you were gone.. Everything happens for a reason, I guess. I hope you have the fulfilling life you always wanted. My lawyer said that the letter you wrote ensures you won’t get a dime from me. So take care. Signed, Your Ex-Wife, Rich As Hell & Free! P.S. I don’t know if I ever told you this, but my sister Carla was born Carl. I hope that’s not a problem

The First Day of Fall

2011-09-23T15:38:00.001-04:00

Things are so different for me than this time last year. I'm not recovering from surgery. I'm not 30 pounds heavier. It's so nice to be loosing weight.

I'm not laying in bed stressing when I'm actually going to get to have surgery.

This past summer I have enjoyed some days outside with Pepper. I want to take advantage of those days. I know my pepper is getting old. I worry this might be his last fall or summer and want every one to be special.

The first day of fall was rainy. No matter Pepper still got up and wanted to go to the shop to see Papaw after his breakfast.

What's in a name?

2011-09-22T13:30:00.000-04:00

It's been one week since Bryan's surgery. He has a raspy voice still but I know Bryan's family is thankful to hear him no matter what.

I know when Daddy said Tabatha and Tyler's name it was a big relief to the family. Can you imagine What if daddy did not know who you were...

Bryan was ask question about his kids names. He remembered both his son and daughter. He was ask some dates. He was also able to remember the dates.

Bryan is still doing physical therapy and speech therapy. Bryan has some improved movement in his left arm.

Since the shunt surgery Bryan has had trouble with swelling in his leg. It is thought it could possibly be a blood clot. The doctors are looking at possibly needing to put him on blood thinners.

To read the latest post from Bryan's family Blog go here:

http://support4bryanstow.com/News-Updates/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/991/Right-Now-92111