hydrocephalus in the news

Read two stories this today about hydrocephalus:

The first, is about a woman who was denied healthcare coverage because she was attempting to get care out of her state: Insurance denies woman with hydrocephalus

The second, is about one of my favorite authors, Roald Dahl. He had a family history of hydrocephalus: Roald Dahl and hydrocephalus

About Empathy

Well, my theory about the scalp pain may have been off...There was some throbbing on the left side of my scalp today and yesterday after not feeling anything there over the past month. Not sure what that means....it's weird.

I read an article today about the differences between empathy, compassion and sympathy and how doctors need to learn more about using empathy with their patients. I mentioned in my film, Shunt Chronicles: My brain, art and school (2015)  how my previous neurosurgeon lacked empathy in regards to my situation.

Link to Article: Why Doctors Need to Show More Empathy. 

Scalp Adventures

About a week ago, I discovered I had an abscess on my back and it was drained at my doctor's office. Once the abscess began healing, the throbbing pains I've had on the top left front side and back right corner of my head are gone.  I'm convinced I had the abscess since 2014, as I was in a wheelchair for a month while I was in rehab.  I still have pain issues with my shunt interacting with everything in the area: weather, magnetic fields.

The throbbing pains in my scalp had been there since my brain injuries in 2014. I was told the abscess had developed over months and could take months to fully recover.

Alternatives to medication

While my proGav shunt continues to act like an unruly child with the cold weather, I've decided to distract myself in the meantime. This weekend, I went to see the Marvel film, Dr. Strange. I was surprised to learn upon watching the movie that the main character, Dr. Strange was a neurosurgeon.  I found it awkward watching a few scenes were there was surgery. I couldn't help but think about my past shunt revisions.  I didn't know in advance the movie was about a neurosurgeon. A large portion of the film focused on how the body heals itself after an injury.  It made me more interested in how the body heals itself.

Treatments for brain injuries

I don't know whether or not I'd be a candidate for the medication used to treat Parkinson's which is also being used to treat some forms of brain injuries....I've taken a break from taking anything for my pain issues. The full article can be found here: goo.gl/zkSs5k

After my injuries, I found it a challenge to interact with people...There's a lot of calculating our brains are doing, synchronized with muscles and nerves....Like navigating how to sit in a chair with or without wheels....there's a big difference....as I learned during a physical therapy session one day in 2014....

Upon leaving rehab in March 2014, I struggled to interact with more than one person at a time and in a group setting it was even more overwhelming. After time though, it got a lot easier. Now I would say I'm back to where I was on a cognitive level before my brain injuries....so there is a lot to celebrate....

Interesting article about socializing after brain injuries: goo.gl/LJQ6a8

Traumatic Brain Injury and Animal Therapy

The scar tissue pain is getting less and less frequent. I believe it's because of my nervous system continuing to heal.  I expect at some point in the near future, I won't have any scar tissue pain.

Tomorrow is my cat Stella's 16th birthday. October 16, 2016 will be her golden birthday.  It's been a blessing to have her for such a long time. She's been a good companion and has helped me recover from my brain injuries.

Stella and I relaxing at our usual spot on the couch. 

There was a post from an online brain injury support group I belong which mentions the benefits of pets on the healing process: TBI and Animal Therapy

My Shunt's Daily Activities, Part VI

It's been raining the last four days where I live and my programmable shunt valve is causing pain and throbbing from the scar tissue....Makes me wonder why I feel what I do  on specific days depending on the weather. Could be healing issues associated with what happened in March 2014.

From online hydrocephalus support groups I've seen people discussing how barometric pressure affects shunt valves: Barometric pressure and shunts

There is a correlation between the two, I just wonder why...It's too bad I can't check the settings myself or just get the same kit they use to make adjustments at the neurosurgeon's office.