Shunt 2.0

An x-ray of my VP Shunt taken in December 2010. You can see the catheter that goes into the brain ventricle, the reservoir and valve just outside the skull, and the drainage tube.

Twenty-five years ago next week (April 1st....a fitting day for what seemed at the time like a bad joke), I had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt installed in my head. (My 23rd anniversary write-up.) I had always hoped it would last forever, but in the back of my mind I always knew there would be a possibility that it would need to be replaced at some point. That point came yesterday.

About 4-5 months ago, I started noticing a pattern with some bad headaches that I had been having for the last year or two. They were different than the high-pressure kinds I used to get. I realized that the bad headaches I was having were AFTER a period of high-pressure, when my shunt drained all of the excess pressure off and was open, it stayed open and was draining too much fluid off. I researched some neurosurgeons and found one that seemed to be highly regarded, and made an appointment last December. After a series of CT scans and x-rays and 4 weeks waiting for him to respond, he told me (through his office secretary) that he really didn't know much about shunts and recommended I see another neurosurgeon that he used to work with. (Of course, even though he gave me NO diagnosis or help, he happily took my $40 insurance co-pay and $200 in insurance! Had I felt better, I would have demanded a refund of my portion!)

I met with the recommended Dr. Robert Peterson and he spent a considerable amount of time with me discussing the symptoms and possibilities, as well as the risks associated with any "revisions" (the medical term for replacing a part of a shunt system). He knows his shunts, a welcome relief after my first visit with the other neuro. I really hadn't given much thought to going through with a surgery, but wanted to make sure that the headaches weren't an indication of anything more serious. But over the past several months, I started receiving promptings that a revision would be needed. Several episodes of high pressure headaches also confirmed to me that something was not quite right with the shunt.

After Dr. Peterson reviewed the CT scans, he noted that the end of the catheter (the part that extends into my brain), had a fold of brain tissue that was wrapped around the lower intake holes. He said it was likely that unless the pressure built up high enough, the holes weren't sufficient to drain the excess fluid. That condition, along with the fact that most shunts typically last about 10 years (and I was going on 25), it was probably time to consider a revision. After careful thought and prayer, and some time in the temple, I determined it was time to move ahead.

Surgery was scheduled for 4 weeks later, which in hindsight is a terrible thing to do. I had times of panic, and times of calm, and too much time to think and worry about it! I wish now that once I had made the decision to go ahead, I could have just done it as quickly as possible. Surgery was originally scheduled for Monday, the 21st, but I got a call on Friday the 19th saying an emergency surgery had to be done on someone else and they were bumping me to Tuesday. Another day of waiting, and little sleep the night before!

My Dad and Mom drove down Monday night and my Dad and Bishop Gerber (also our home teacher), gave me a priesthood blessing. I still felt pretty calm about the whole thing, but was more anxious to just get on with it. If we could have driven to the hospital and started it that night, I would have!

Since they would need to shave half of my head for the surgery, the Dr. said I could leave my hair long on one side, or he would shave it down so it was all the same. I opted to get a buzz cut here at home just so I had some hair after the surgery. Sara was anxious to experiment on me, knowing that any mistakes would either be shaved off, or could be if needed. She had a great time experimenting on me:

Before the deed

I love how gleeful Sara is jumping into this

The mohawk. I think it definitely suits my style

If Sara ever volunteers to cut your hair, you might want to reconsider.



The final makeover (after Becky smoothed out Sara's hack job)

I was surprised at how cold my head felt after walking outside with Nacho. I didn't realize how much hair insulates your head!

I checked into LDS Hospital at 7:15 am. Surgery was scheduled for 8:30, but because Dr. Peterson runs on his own time and arrived late, it didn't actually start until about 9:15 am. I awoke in the recovery room around 12:30 pm, and was finally taken to a permanent room about 1:15 pm. Becky, Sara, my parents and Al were there in the waiting room....an awfully long time for them to be there, but I was thankful to have them there supporting me.

Just after arriving in my permanent patient room

I was starving after the surgery, and they would only let me have ice chips. I finally talked them into some saltines, and then ate all of the licorice Anna brought for me. Then Becky finally talked them into letting me order dinner--Roast turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, rolls, ice cream! It tasted so GOOD!

They really did shave about 1/2 of my head.

Sara, Anna & Becky playing cards next to me.

We went for a walk down the hallway. It felt really good to stretch my legs. While we were out walking, we passed another guy recovering from surgery and pushing his IV around with him. Sara suggested we have a race down the hall.

Also while we were out walking, Becky commented on how tired she was and could lie down on one of the hospital beds that was positioned in the hallway. We thought it would be kind of funny for her to lie down and we could cover her up with a blanket and see how people reacted.

We also took a moment to pose in front of one of the hospital banners.

Walking Sara to the elevator on her way back to her apartment. (For the record, the booties have non-skid markings on the top AND bottom of the slippers. I wasn't dumb enough to put them on upside down!)

I came home this afternoon and feel pretty good for the most part, but I still have a pretty intense headache (not pressure-related) from just the opening up of the cranium. The Lortab seems to help dull that pain. I'm also a little light-headed and balance is sometimes tricky. But I'm grateful to be home! Even if I can't do much more than lounge around, its so much more comfortable here, and no one is coming around to take my blood pressure and check my IV's every hour.

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and kind thoughts. It means a lot to me. I've found that times like these open up doors to greater spirituality, and I certainly did this time.