The time may have arrived. Diagnosed with a condition 10+ years ago,

[elleng]

few significant symptoms (including balance issues,) but now, becoming daily burdensome, particularly my gait.

THIS is the condition, moved from Headline: hydrocephalus

Have avoided 'brain surgery,' and neurologist I first saw wasn't enthusiastic about it, but the time may have arrived. Am otherwise healthy senior, 4 young grandkids, but may look for a 'shunter' soon.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocephalus/symptoms-causes/syc-20373604

[XanaDUer2]

1. Peace and healing

[emulatorloo]

2. Ellen I am thinking of you. These chronic conditions are so hard. Please keep us posted.

[brer cat]

3. Best wishes to you, elleng.

I hope whatever you decide will be successful.

[rurallib]

4. hoping for your best outcome

you are very valued here

[Diamond_Dog]

5. Wishing you all the best whatever you decide, elleng.

[Bristlecone]

6. Best wishes.

[2naSalit]

7. Best wishes in...

Whatever you have to do next.

[TygrBright]

8. Hang in there, Ellen...

The surgery is well-understood and usually helpful, although do not be surprised if a repeat is necessary with this condition. You can get it under control and even beat it - The DH and I have a friend who made it through.

Holding you in the Light for strength and healing!

encouragingly,
Bright

[elleng]

12. Thanks, Bright.

ONE of the aspects that's 'encouraged' me to avoid/delay was the fairly common need for repeat.

E

[CurtEastPoint]

9. warm wishes and hope for a healing outcome

[highplainsdem]

10. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this, Ellen. Sending healing vibes, along

with prayers and hugs.

[Maraya1969]

11. I wish you health and happiness. And whatever you need to get better

I hope you find it easy. I wouldn't be afraid though - modern medicine is far too amazing!

[questionseverything]

14. I am hoping and praying you will manage this and it will be

Bothersome but not overwhelming

Cause you are the best!

[MLAA]

15. Sending good thoughts and I am confident you will make the best decision for your treatment.

You are a treasure here and I enjoy and appreciate your posts.

[usonian]

16. Very best wishes.

[Solly Mack]

17. All my best wishes, Ellen.

Keep us posted and please know we are all thinking of you.

[multigraincracker]

18. Good luck.

Had a friend that did well after the surgery.

[elleng]

19. Good, that's what I want to hear!!!

Thanks

[Pepsidog]

20. Sorry to hear. I hope you get well soon.

[Demovictory9]

21. I hope you get treatment soon

[Fla Dem]

22. Warm wishes for a successful surgery

And a quick recovery.

After all, DU couldn’t get through the day without “elleng’s” contributions.

All the best Ellen. You have all of us pulling for you!

[LoisB]

23. Sending strong, strong healing vibes to you. Hoping all works out fine.

[Peacetrain]

24. ellen.. wishing you a rapid recovery

if you have the surgery.. I have a niece that has had numerous surgeries to remove non cancerous tumors from the brain.. she has done very very well with them.

[elleng]

25. Thanks. Good for your niece.

[c-rational]

26. You'll be fine.

[alwaysinasnit]

27. I wish you a speedy recovery should you decide on surgery. You are so valued and your

contributions to our digital community are much appreciated. Please keep us updated. We will be thinking of you.

[iluvtennis]

28. Sent up some healing vibes for you @elleng. Blessings to you. n/t

[LNM]

29. All the best to you, elleng

I don't post much but am here daily. I treasure you Metropolitan Diary posts and your posts in the Travel group.

Wishing you well.

[Wicked Blue]

30. Yikes! I hope this gets better with minimal treatment

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))0

I read the adult symptoms and saw that I have several of them - balance, gait etc. But nobody's ever thought I had hydrocephalus, just nerve damage to the inner ear.

[elleng]

31. Thanks, Blue.

don't know about 'minimal treatment,' as a shunt into (or around) my brain doesn't sound minimal, but I hope so!

Interesting that over time, after having heard the diagnosis, it occurred to me that I'd had symptoms from the time I was a kid, like 'trying' to study ballet, @ around 8 years old!

[BittyJenkins]

32. My mother had to have shunts put in when she was 70.

She was seventy and had a colloid cyst blocking her cerebrospinal fluid.
They took out the cyst and put shunts in. She felt so much better after the surgery.

Wishing you the best.

[elleng]

35. Thanks! Excellent!

I'm 77, so you and your mother have given me hope!

[alfredo]

33. My sister has one. It made all the difference

I have dizziness too, but it is from brain damage from radiation treatments

I hope the shunt works for you.

[elleng]

37. Good to hear; happy to hear WHENEVER they work!

[FakeNoose]

34. Healing vibes to you, my friend

[Warpy]

36. As far as brain surgeries go, this one is farly low risk and high benefit.

and recovery is usually very rapid, with improvement in gait and balance occurring quickly.

Here's a good article on the surgery, write down your questions so you;ll have them when you meet the neurosurgeon.

[elleng]

39. Good to hear the low risk and high benefit,

tho I've read they have to be repeated 'fairly' often.

Plz attach article.

[Warpy]

46. Welllll, shiiiit.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/cerebral-fluid/procedures/shunts.html

[elleng]

48. Great, from Hopkins, around the corner!

THANKS!

[MontanaMama]

38. Oh man. Please know...

I am thinking of you and holding you close in my heart.

[NJCher]

40. just focus on the benefits

best way to get through it. And who knows, it might be a positive experience. I never dreamed cataract surgery would be a nice experience, but it was for me.

[elleng]

42. OH Cher, cataract surgeries were SO 'good!'

This one? Who knows??? Several have suggested good news.

[tosh]

41. Wishing for the best

and sending all of my positive vibes!

[mgardener]

43. I am sorry you have to deal with this

[Docreed2003]

44. So sorry to hear this ellen.

You will definitely be in my thoughts as you pursue treatment. Best wishes for a safe and speedy recovery.

[rubbersole]

45. All the best to you elleng.

[PatSeg]

47. I'm so sorry you are going through this Ellen

It seems that when we get older, so many of our 'parts' don't work right anymore. Hope all goes well if you decide on the surgery. You still have so many years to enjoy with your grandchildren.

[question everything]

49. Oh elleng, how difficult it must be for you

but reading comments on this thread it is bearable.

Please let us know if and when you will undergo this procedure.

I certainly will miss your gorgeous weather photos.

[ShazzieB]

50. I know the prospect of such major surgery is scary.

Last edited Tue Jul 12, 2022, 11:54 PM - Edit history (1)

I remember how freaked out I was 4 years ago when I found out I needed to have my aortic valve replaced. I have never not wanted to do something I desperately needed to do SO much. The risks were very scary, but in the end, the decision pretty much made itself. The choice was between taking that journey into the unknown or experiencing steadily declining health for the rest of whatever shortened life span I had left. I was not willing to settle for the latter.

The recovery was grueling, but considering the alternative, SO worth it. I pray it will be the same for you if you have your shunt surgery. Wishing you the absolute best of everything!

[elleng]

52. Thanks, ShazzieB.

Been avoiding it for years, and until recently, no real NEED, but today, could barely walk from car to Dunkin in less than 30 minutes, usually 3 minutes! (so I missed beginning of J6 hearing! OH NO!!!)

So looked back into symptoms, where I found my recent gait deterioration appeared, and I said GOTTA do something! Will call doc tomorrow.

[ShazzieB]

51. Oops, I posted twice.

Sorry about that! 😳 🤗

[wendyb-NC]

53. That sounds intense

Hope you connect with the best neurologist/neurosurgeon to make the diagnosis and do the proper treatment.
Sending good vibrations and healing light so you will be back to normal/baseline motor ability. You want to be able to do your photography, and keep up with your grandkids, and everything else you enjoy. Blessings.

[applegrove]

54. You are lucky. My dad did not get diagnosed until it was too late to put a shunt in.

Best wishes.

[elleng]

55. Oh GOLLY! SO sorry.

I was diagnosed around 10 years ago, but have ignored and lived with it since then, until now, when symptoms are becoming too burdensome. HOPE it's not too late.

My neurologist, @ time of diagnosis, wasn't keen on surgery and/or didn't know of a suitable surgeon; also may have thought it wasn't 'critical,' at the time.

New doc now, new location, and hope I can have it addressed without too much difficulty.

[applegrove]

56. Best of luck!

[eppur_se_muova]

57. A family friend had this surgery. Afterward, it never bothered her again. nt

[elleng]

59. Good to hear!

[JudyM]

58. Tough situation... sorry to hear you're going through this, elleng.

Wishing you strength and a good outcome.

[elleng]

60. FINALLY have appointment to begin whatever process @ Johns Hopkins,

January 19!

Start with 10 a.m. MRI, and continue with more appointments including 'physical therapy,' likely to determine extent of 'disability.'

SO ONWARD!!!!

(Overnight before, so can make early appointment AND have dinner in a good Baltimore restaurant!)

[appalachiablue]

61. All the best, let us know how things go. Marylanders are steady & strong as you know!

🦀 🍭🍦

[elleng]

62. Thanks, a'blue.

Sure will. Been waiting for so long, I almost told 'Lisa' who called with the news, that I 'love' her! Had a pleasant conversation.

This sets up preliminary stuff, new mri and meeting with clinicians. (May stay night before in Baltimore due to early appointment for mri, so good restaurant before!)