Louise

Well I wasn’t going to post but the way life is at the minute not me just general just thought I would. Its 16 years today (well not till around 7pm tonight) that my life changed, I don’t celebrate it after the first year because the day before my second Ani-versary my Dad passed away so that kind of put celebrating it in the shade, but I do think about it and am so grateful for the life that I have now, the things that I am able to do now. At one point tying my trainer laces or brushing my teeth were both things that I couldn’t do for myself things that we all take so much for granted. Recently there has been someone on here that is finding great difficulty in accepting his Shunt and that it will malfunction you know I never gave it a single thought maybe because thinking was just too tiring with me, I don’t know but I have never thought of it malfunctioning it works it keeps me alive because without my Shunt and my tube I wouldn’t be here they have made me who I am. Anyway this year my Dad’s anniversary 14yrs on 31st Oct and my SAH 16yrs on 1st Nov, then my Mum’s anniversary on 6th Nov 24yrs for Mum time heals makes it easier but this year it’s different my Dad’s brother has cancer and has be diagnosed also with early dementia my Auntie also has been diagnosed with dementia so its brought all those thoughts back to the front again but although I’m sad and hurting I am no where as fragile as when my Dad was in hospital dying with leukaemia so I know that I have gotten mentally stronger (even though you wouldn’t think it this week from time to time I have been keeping Kleenex going). But with the years unknown to me I have come to accept things & that I thought would never happen. I don't know if this makes much sense but just thought I'd share...

Have to say never had that but do have nights where I just cant sleep... it does I think, ease with time.

Hi Frank glad that you found us... Stress is the thing but if you can mange it then that can help..

That is such useful info Dawn thanks for sharing... wished I'd know something like that way-back-when, my work made me redundant 3/4 months after the SAH... Hope you're doing well... take care

Hey Di Well done you on realising you had to do something to help yourself

Hi Dave Warm welcome to the site so glad that you found us. Another Scotty I'm on the East Coast.

Karen's right you see I don't think about that stuff because I went into Rehab after I had mine help was on hand... Wise lady Karen listen to her yep a huge amount of re-booting (just like the computer)

Hi Davie Warm welcome to the site so glad that you found us.. Think we've all had a similar situ your still early in your recovery even if you don't think so it does take time. take things easy listen to your body when you need to rest do don't push, keep hydrated, rest, maybe keep a diary that way you'll notice how well your doing even if you haven't noticed... take care..

Here, here Daff me too I'll take that over the alternative any day, without my shunt I wouldn't be here it keeps me alive and for that I am SO greatful... No don't waste your life with the bitterness live it you have been given a rare chance denied my many.. I've had mine 15years now, & I don't know of anyone that has had any problems so go on PLEASE put this behind you and start living your life...

Hi Claudette Warm welcome glad you found the site, yes its great just knowing others know just what its like... Everyone has said it all, remember not to do too must rest as often as your body needs too, drink plenty keep hydrated and hope to hear from you again soon. take care

Hey Daff Just reading this and thinking I could have written it – tired brain that is never fully charged up and raring to go. People well with me its family seeing me as being different, so their method to cope with that is don’t see me at all… I am not sure its more shunt than SAH I think SAH has a lot to do with it, its how our brains work now we’re re-wired maybe you not for sound… We are indeed the lucky ones because there are lots (I saw some in the rehab hospital) that just don’t do as good as we do, even though we end up with other hang ups like you wishing you could be part of the breakfast mayhem, and me wishing that family never ignored me because of something that I couldn’t help happening or changing.. I feel my shunt stress yes mostly weather changes though.

Hi there I felt like that too many years ago. Firstly you can get a card from Headway I have it in my purse it's just like a bank card same size. Secondly I also have an SOS chain when you unscrew it, it has all my information in it, for me both thing made going out just that little bit easier...

Hi there warm welcome. Sorry to hear what your going through, we never claimed when I had my SAH (maybe should have it would have helped) so sorry cant help but usually someone comes along at some point that can help. I'm not surprised your disgusted with them I would be, (my first instint is to say go to the papers/watch dog) because you take the insurance out in good faith thinking that when needed your covered... take care all the best.

Aw that's good, beautiful here too in East Lothian, its about time weatherwise..

Hey Issy Another Scotty hello, take it from me it eases with time wee bursts are good slow and easy honey.. Take care

I would just take it a day at a time, no need to say its going to take a long time at the minute, she'll still be getting to grips with what's happened. With me my husband told me, then I'd forget anyway took a long time for me before the reality of it all sunk in...

Hey Luke warm welcome glad you found us. I hope your Mum recovers well it is a long process, yes never take things personally. Words of wisdom, oh don't know, things will improve slowly (don't know if that's wisdom or not) Remember to take care of yourselves (& yes writing things down is SO therapeutic)

Congratulations on your graduation & your achievement..

Hi Geoff warm welcome glad you found us. You did well getting back to work so quickly (even phased return) well done but maybe you've been too quick... Take care

Jerome, I think its quite normal to wait 3months for your appointment they leave it like that so things start to settle down.. Any questions you have write them down because once your in there your mind will just go blank... I think we all leave hospital not really knowing or understanding what has happened to us, with little information given, and yes to the support groups (as you say that their aware of) I have a day to day diary on the computer its a great way to remember things, and to see how your progressing. Take care

Hi Brandi Warm welcome to the site, glad that you found us. Wow! 5kids, I've heard of a few people this happening to after birth.. Yes here you are good for you, there's others here State side too.. take care

Yes like Super says you have to ask the doc. but I too have a drink in moderation & I think I was told ok again in moderation... And again ask your doc because yep what's ok for one may not be for others...

Hi Jerome Warm welcome to the site, glad you found us and so pleased you took that huge step in posting well done you... Wow you've been through it, but you are in no way a freak or a mess we've all probably felt like that one way or another. and just ditto what everyone else has said. hope to hear from you again soon...

1) Do you get headaches from the shunt? Not at all 2) Any pressure like high or low? No 3) Or do you not feel anything at all? Nothing

Great news wishing you a good recovery...hugs.x