Recovery Journey After VP Shunt Op

[Froggiefrog]

And so begins another weary day.

Madness may have beaten me to claiming that line as my own by a few decades, but I'm not bitter, it just seems to sums things up better than anything original.

Surgery on both sides of my head has certainly made the task of finding a position to lie when in bed a challenge, but at least the removal of the remainder of my head stitches and abdominal ones after my second op felt like a step in the right direction.

Being able to wash your hair doesn't sound like 'punch the air celebration' territory taken out of context, but it certainly felt like that, especially as the infected neck wound still looked revolting when I saw it in all of its glory in the bathroom mirror.

Today has been a strange one, being time for my partner and the dog to disappear for a fortnight for work. I'm sure they will be relieved to be spared my nocturnal pottering around when unable to sleep, although, incredibly, they have put up with the disruption I have brought to their lives without so much as a word or a woof of complaint.

With the personal hygiene box ticked, the next milestone will be talking to someone who knows me only in a work context, as I've been off for four weeks now. I'm less worried about this than I am about washing my hair, as standing up for myself is something I'm as used to doing as washing my hair, so I should still be able to do it, even in a fog of fatigue.

Everyone has their own adversity to overcome. A sense of being even a small step further along the road feels good. Experience tells me to take nothing for granted and that setbacks can appear out of nowhere, but I'll tackle them head on, if they do.

[Hidden]

Hi Froggie, well done on your recovery and take every day as it comes. I would be really interested to hear if you have been given any information from the hospital regarding the type of valve fitted for the VP shunt (make, model, setting) and also any advice on what to avoid, such as hand held metal detectors as they can interfere with the setting of the valve apparently. My wife had a VP shunt fitted for Christmas last year.

Regards

[Froggiefrog in reply to Hidden]

Just prior to leaving hospital ( the first time), I received a pack of literature detailing the specifics of what had been inserted, fact sheets and general and more specific advice. Being in a specialised neurological hospital, I suppose that would make such things more likely to be provided, but I was impressed at all times by the professional care I received and was glad that the information was made available. When I came to leave after my second op to tether the wayward drainage tube, I was asked to confirm I had already received the information from the practitioner. A time lapse of over twenty years meant technology had moved on quite a bit since my last revision ( where's my bump!?) so I didn't find the information or its delivery at all patronising. Take care, best wishes to you and your wife.

[Hidden in reply to Froggiefrog]

Wow OK, it sounds like you had a good experience with your care. Im happy to hear that. My wife had her operation at a major neuro centre on the southcoast in the uk and i have since applied for the hospital notes from during the stay to get some information. Thanks for the reply and the best wishes. Take care

Regards