Hi Everyone,
After being told I'd be getting a non-adustable LP shunt, the surgeons abruptly changed their minds and decided on a programmable VP shunt instead. I was wheeled in for a CT scan to make sure my ventricles were okay and then 5 days later had my surgery (wed the 16th may). I have a right frontal vp shunt and so far everything seems to be going well. I was discharged from hospital on the friday afternoon ( a bit early for my liking but they were desperate for beds) and have been resting since. I have pain in my head and abdomen where my wounds are but it's not anywhere near as bad as I imagined. My headaches have dissapeared, my eyes were instantly better and my tinnitus is gone completley. Occasionally I can hear the shunt draining as I stand up but it only lasts for seconds and is a small price to pay for how much better I'm feeling just now. They only shaved a small patch of hair at the front of my head and behind my ear and left me with plenty to cover up my scars. I do feel a bit nauseous when sitting upright or standing but it can be dealt with by taking some anti-emetic medication and lying down for a while.
The surgery itself went well and the shunt seems to be doing it's job. I have an appointment next week to check my eyes and to make sure everything's working/healing okay and I'm having my staples removed next Wednesday. I was scared before the surgery but now (apart from the surgery pain) I feel a million times better than I have been for a very long time and I can't wait to start getting back on track with my life. There may be bumps further down the line but right now this shunt has given me back my life and I can't wait to start living it again.
If anybody has any questions I'd be happy to answer them!