Not terrible but not great news
My neurologist called and said that I have enlarged ventricles in the brain. (No joke there) She said that it could have been caused by head trauma or some serious infection. She said that there is no telling when it may have happened. It could have happened decades ago. She also said that it could have taken many years before it caused any symptoms. Now I have to wait until she schedules another test where the lunbar is punctured to draw some fluid. The sort of good news is that if I respond well to the test then surgery and the implantation of a shunt in my brain may make my symptoms disaappear and delay/prevent further symptoms. The shunt will prevent excessive fluid build up and the resultant pressure on areas of the brain. I am not jumpng for joy (I'd fall on my butt if I tried) but I'm not depressed either. I think I knew for awhile that something was wrong. I'm just grateful that it wasn't anything worse. I'm also grateful that my symptoms are really pretty mild. Oh well, it's better to know than not to know. And it's good that there is strong chance for improvement. Sorry if this is a downer,Tom
Replies
The wait is over and at least now you know what you are dealing with. My Grandfather had a shunt placed in his head because of an anuerism . The only thing that bothered him was that he was always afraid of hitting his head and causing damage to the shunt. Other than that, he didn\'t even really know it was there.
~Robin
Tom....this is mixed news in terms of good/bad, but the fact that it is treatable and resolveable is fantastic news. This is NOT a downer, and I\'m so glad you are sharing this. I\'ve had patients with this procedure and although it is invasive, it improves the person\'s quality of life. That is what it is all about. You know, if they could withdraw asthma in this manner, it sure would be good news. So, maybe when they remove the fluid, you can ask to take a few other maladies with it, too? ;-) Just trying to get you to smile.
You\'re just determined to have issues from head to toe, aren\'t you. :-)
I\'m sorry to hear you\'ll have to have surgery, but I\'m so glad it\'s something that can be repaired fairly easily... if brain surgery can be called \'easy\'! Just focus on the fact that you\'ll be back to doing the hokey pokey in no time. And tell them to stay away from your humor center... hmm wonder where that is in the brain? Find out where, and then mark it with \"not here!\" on your scalp. :-)
Take care,
Michelle
Thanks guys,
I\'m feeling all right about this. But I do think I\'ll try to find another way to go girl watching. I keep seeing all these attractive women at the clinics and hospitals but they all seem to be into some strange stuff. They want to do all manner of peculiar things to my ol\' bod.(You\'re going to do WHAT with that thing?)
And they could also diversify their wardrobe a bit. I mean scrubs and lab coats are fine but not every day.
You definitely need to find other ways to meet girls. When will you ever find the time though?
Robin