My Shunt Surgery – Recovery
I remember the moment I woke up in recovery and was told I just had shunt surgery.
Part of me felt like I was still in and out of consciousness in the ER. Part of me thought I had passed out from the pain, and they had performed an emergency shunt surgery.
Within a few minutes though, my husband and his sister were at my side, and I began to remember that it was all planned.
Nurses came by to take bedside X-rays, and I rested, soaking in the new information that was now a part of my life: I had a shunt. I had a medical device inside of my body.
There was no turning back. It was all over now. I had a shunt.
Day One
Day one of recovery was better than expected. Of course, there was probably a decent amount of medication and sedation still in my system.
Regardless, I felt great, having no episodes of pressure at all. To be honest, the stomach incisions hurt more than the head incisions. Other than the cramping and soreness in my stomach, I was able to eat, walk, and joke around like normal. I was beyond thankful.
I wasn’t expecting to see the tubing (catheter) running down my sternum and over my ribs, but my husband said I probably wouldn’t see it once I started gaining my weight back.
Neurosurgery made the shunt sound so promising that they told me if I felt any signs of increased pressure at all, to let them know. It was relieving to know that shunts have the option of being adjusted in how much fluid they can divert. Between adjusting the shunt and tweaking the fluid pills, I could find a perfect balance.
Recovery
I was discharged the day after shunt surgery, feeling decent but tired.
I was instructed to take it easy, to not lift anything over ten pounds, and to see them in a couple weeks for a follow up.
Thankfully, my mom had already planned to stay with me during this time so that my husband could go back to work. I still had a one year old who needed caring for.
That night, as the anesthesia’s effects wore off even more, the trauma of brain surgery hit me, and I had a pounding headache in my temples that the Percocet couldn’t even touch.
Although the pressure seemed to be under control, I was still not myself and remained unbelievably tired for days. This turned out to be a great time to practice getting used to sleeping on my shunt.
What was left of my long hair had been matted into knots of dried blood. Considering a decent portion of my head had already been shaved, my husband and I decided to just buzz the rest. As uncomfortable as I felt from this new piece of equipment inside of me, I couldn’t imagine trying to wash my hair on top of it. Sleep was already a challenge, and I couldn’t stand having one more obstacle in the way. It was just hair. It would grow back. I truly would become the clean slate I wanted to be.
The Hardest Part
Night after night, I sat in a few inches of bath water as my husband helped me wash my shaved head. It was very important to keep the incisions clean and dry. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see or feel the area to do it myself due to the location and half of it being numb.
One of these nights, I confessed to my husband that this recovery was more difficult than I thought it would be. In the truest sense of the word, I told him that I just felt sick.
Although fewer and less intense, I was still having increases in pressure. And I was simply tired of it. I was still being tormented by the constant roaring, whooshing noises. I had become skin on bones. My hair was gone. I had so many incisions and bruises and needle marks all over my body to where I couldn’t even remember what parts of me I had to be careful with. The stitches in my spine from my May procedure hadn’t even fallen out yet, and I was already caring for new stitches. I was in pain. I was overly tired. My appetite was all messed up. The IV bandage had caused an allergic reaction from the glue cutting into my skin, and now I was catching some sort of cold. I felt sick.
But this would be the worst part.
This was my healing. This was my restoration. People were still praying for me, and I had a wonderful support team.
My mom was staying with me and my baby nearly every day. She was helping us with our groceries, bringing us meals, and making sure our housework was kept up with. Occasionally, my husband’s aunt would take her place, and other family and friends would help out as well. I was able to rest as much as needed and regain my strength.
I had to focus on these things.
My husband and family continually reminded me that I could only get better. And I did. For a little while…
Continue to Part Three here: “My Shunt Surgery – Healing”
Begin Part One of “My Shunt Surgery” here!
For more information, check out “All About VP Shunt Surgery”
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
– 1 Peter 5:10
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2 Comments
John W. Rauch DDS
Dear April, I am a 72 year old retired dentist who has lived with a shunt now for 8 years. I am doing well now although it toook me a couple years to recover. My hydrocephalis was probably due to having a viral infection back in the late 70’s causing me to run a 105 degree fever for 5 days. I was not supposed to suvive but God is good and apparently wasn’t done with me. I’ll keep you in prayer. John W Rauch DDS
April Normand
That is an incredible story! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for your prayers. I am happy for you that you have recovered and are doing well. I have heard a couple of instances where a viral infection causes this condition. It certainly is interesting. I am thankful that God has shown you His promises and care through your journey. May it be a testimony to many others! You are in my prayers as well!