How time flies. 6 months ago I had my latest brain surgery which was to replace my VP shunt as the previous one malfunctioned. I had been in and out of hospital 6 months prior to that for more operations and investigations, it seems like Hydrocephalus and shunt complications are super hard to detect but finally the surgeon decided to replace the whole thing. I’m so happy it’s over and that I’ve made it 6 months operation and hospital free!
At first I was a little paranoid about my half shaved head but when Stephen (my boyfriend) took me out for my first restaurant meal since the op, I looked up and the waitress had the same haircut! (minus the scar). It seems that my op landed right in time when the hipster fashion craze was to shave half of their heads. Silly hipsters, ha ha. I quickly felt less bothered about the fact I had my shunt scar on display and more proud of what I’ve coped with. What I didn’t like was the grey hairs that have grown in abundance! I think these operations may have aged me somewhat. ah well, don’t care.
So is life back to normal you ask?
No, this ‘recovery’ malarky is so complex, frustrating and slow but it was brain surgery and to expect to be jumping up and down fit as a fiddle isn’t very realistic. I regularly have dizzy spells, pain all over the shunt area, pressure pains, sickness and so much more but I don’t want to bore you. I just have to learn to slowly train my brain to it’s current brain pressure, if it doesn’t like it then I can get the neurosurgeon to change my shunt setting by a fab device that presses onto my head. I hear it click and the setting is changed, cool eh?! With plenty of rest, gentle exercise and a few shunt setting tweaks I may be alright!
I’ve put together a few pics recording my healing head and awkward hair growth.
In the meantime I will be blogging as usual, doing a little freelance design work from home, attending some design/blogger events, coffee with friends, maybe a little holiday here and there, not to forget hanging out with Hansel. Hopefully the next 6 months will be even better!
I wish everyone a healthy happy life but if you’re unfortunate like me and have to face some hurdles try keeping positive, be so silly that you nearly wee yourself, cuddle kittens, buy loads of dresses (no-one will dare tell you off coz you’re poorly, wink), be creative and eat cake.
H x