So I had my shunt lowered a few days ago. I went in to my neurosurgeon's office at Duke last week and got the pressure on my shunt lowered. I'm now at 140. More fluid is supposed to be draining off my brain -- I was at 150 just before the lowering. And at 150, it just wasn't draining enough. Not enough pressure was being removed, so that I was still living with all kinds of symptoms.
Now, it has been long enough to start getting some good effects from the lower pressure, but as of yet....there just has not been very significant changes. A few, small, positive changes -- but nothing to write home about. I am a bit disappointed. Ok, very disappointed. I had hoped for more, noticeable changes. And by now, I should be seeing these changes to let me know that indeed, there was too much pressure on the brain. But because nothing major has happened, it goes to reason that too much pressure wasn't, and has not been the whole story. It hasn't been the real problem, all this time.
Because nothing major has happened with the lowering, my doctor is starting to think that I very well, may need another surgery. I may need to have my cyst re-fenestrated, or something. But he thinks I definitely may need another brain surgery. I just do not know how I feel about that. He would need to do some testing; tests that are required to see if; in fact, my cyst is re-building walls that are trapping fluid. But these tests that are required, are miserable tests for me. I have a very hard time handling these tests when there isn't an over-abundant amount of fluid on the brain. So if there is a big build-up of fluid, like now, then these tests could prove to be extremely hard on me. They could be devastating to me and my bum brain. I'm nervous as heck; and yes, a little scared! I had such high hopes that turning the pressure down on my shunt would be the answer, and would do me a world of good. But apparently not.
Fingers crossed everyone....and if you are a praying person....please include me on your prayer list. I pray that the shunt adjustment kicks in and I suddenly get the results I was looking for, and hoping for. You can pray for that outcome....or just that I do not need another surgery. I just have a very strong, sneaky suspicion that surgery is the outcome needed. I also have a feeling that I wouldn't fair very well during, or after another surgery. It's just this strange feeling I have....call it a premonition, call it foresight, call it whatever you want. But I can see it now....that it doesn't go well, if I have another.
I will keep you posted on my progression. Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers!
I hope, hope, hope.....that things turn around for me and things start to get better here, real soon. I'm praying that this is just a slow start to getting better....without surgery!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Bad Brain - Bad, Bad Brain!
Welcome to my blog!
What are the chances that you develop a cyst on your brain? Not very good. It is a rare condition, but I was one of the unfortunate people who happened to develop one. Mine is not typical for many reasons; including the fact that it is so large....taking up over 1/3 of my brain and rearranging major components of my brain.
As if that alone, wasn't bad enough, a doctor caused even further issues with my brain. He caused my brain to sag, (fall), and for my brain stem to herniate into my spine - known as a Chiari Malformation. It is these two last issues that really make my life unbearable - more than a challenge. I live with such horrific symptoms, that there are days I wonder if I am still going to be around to watch my boys grow, or if I even "want" to be here anymore. But I "am" here, and so long as I am, I try to make the best of my life and make a difference for others. That is why I wrote my story, "It's all in Your Head." It is my memoir that tells the story of what I went through after being diagnosed with my brain cyst.
You can also see other posts to my other blog, "arachnoidcystsupport.blogspot.com" and read my book about what I went through with all my brain issues. It's called, "It's all in Your Head," and can be found at Tate Publishing, Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Its-Your-Head-Maria-McCutchen/dp/1613460716/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371659389&sr=1-1&keywords=it%27s+all+in+your+head+maria+mccutchen
I hope you will follow my blog, learn more about the rare brain conditions I live with, and see how I get through, day-to-day in this life, with a painful and bad brain!
Thanks for checking me out!
What are the chances that you develop a cyst on your brain? Not very good. It is a rare condition, but I was one of the unfortunate people who happened to develop one. Mine is not typical for many reasons; including the fact that it is so large....taking up over 1/3 of my brain and rearranging major components of my brain.
As if that alone, wasn't bad enough, a doctor caused even further issues with my brain. He caused my brain to sag, (fall), and for my brain stem to herniate into my spine - known as a Chiari Malformation. It is these two last issues that really make my life unbearable - more than a challenge. I live with such horrific symptoms, that there are days I wonder if I am still going to be around to watch my boys grow, or if I even "want" to be here anymore. But I "am" here, and so long as I am, I try to make the best of my life and make a difference for others. That is why I wrote my story, "It's all in Your Head." It is my memoir that tells the story of what I went through after being diagnosed with my brain cyst.
You can also see other posts to my other blog, "arachnoidcystsupport.blogspot.com" and read my book about what I went through with all my brain issues. It's called, "It's all in Your Head," and can be found at Tate Publishing, Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Its-Your-Head-Maria-McCutchen/dp/1613460716/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371659389&sr=1-1&keywords=it%27s+all+in+your+head+maria+mccutchen
I hope you will follow my blog, learn more about the rare brain conditions I live with, and see how I get through, day-to-day in this life, with a painful and bad brain!
Thanks for checking me out!
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