The 4 Words I Thought I would Never Say: “I Had Brain Surgery”
Granted, it was a routine procedure for most experienced neuro-surgeons, but for me, it was mind-blowingly scary (don’t mind the pun). The neuro-surgeon had to place a ventriculoperitoneal shunt into my brain urgently.
According to Healthline.com: “A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a medical device that relieves pressure on the brain caused by fluid accumulation. VP shunting is a surgical procedure that primarily treats a condition called hydrocephalus. This condition occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collects in the brain’s ventricles.”
The last number of years has been quite tough on me, mentally and physically. I have been in hospital countless times and have had over 10 surgeries. My symptoms have been present for a few years, and worsening, but my doctors couldn’t explain why.
The hand tremors have gotten worse and my coordination has gotten to the point where I stopped driving for safety reasons. I struggled with balance and my speech was so slurred at times that my own sister couldn’t understand what I was saying. All this worsened the more tired I got.
It was very obviously neurological, but we were running out of options as to what it could be. Then it became clear, after two painful lumber punctures (LPs), about 6 months apart. The pressure in my brain was high and didn’t regulate itself.
When they did the first lumbar puncture I had viral meningitis, so the pressure was attributed to that, but the second time the pressure was even higher.
I have a history of retinal detachment, so I was very concerned about my eyes after the brain pressure measured higher than the initial LP, and with the pressure in my brain building, so I went to see my ophthalmologist.
According to Mayo Clinic a retinal detachment is defined as “an emergency situation in which a critical layer of tissue (the retina) at the back of the eye pulls away from the layer of blood vessels that provides it with oxygen and nutrients.”
My opthalmologist saw signs of peripheral vision loss and emphasized the fact that I should get to a neuro-surgeon as soon as possible. I have made an appointment to see one twenty days later, but got an emergency appointment at another surgeon the Monday after my appointment with the ophthalmologist.
He suggested a very risky procedure which would put my sight at even more risk and would not have an effect on the pressure in my brain (according to my research).
Feeling very out of place after seeing the ophthalmologist, I spoke to the neuro-surgeon’ receptionist, who I would have seen later that month, and she gave my medical history and details to the doctor.
The surgeon had asked her to make an appointment urgently. She called me back an hour later and made an appointment. Twenty minutes after we set the appointment the receptionist phoned me again and asked me if the doctor may speak to me. I obviously said yes…
He proceeded to ask me a number of questions and I pretty much agreed to my surgery over the phone. It still freaks me out to think about it.
I agreed to brain surgery over the phone, with a doctor I had never even met.
I was to see him the next day at 10am and then get admitted into hospital the same day to have the procedure the next morning.
Three days later I was in the ICU with a bandage around my head and connected to numerous machines. The pain was dreadful, but at least I knew I could see and I have the cognitive abilities to think, move, speak and comprehend what others are saying.
It was still the scariest thing I have ever been through.
The breakthroughs in medicine and science is incredible!
I am very grateful to be alive!
Sources:
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/retinal-detachment/symptoms-causes/syc-20351344#:~:text=Retinal%20detachment%20describes%20an%20emergency,and%20floaters%20in%20your%20vision.
