Our Hydrocephalus Stories
Diagnosed at 3 Weeks
Taelley
Story Written by Mother
My identical twin girls Taelley and Pelley were born at 26 weeks 6 days. Too early!
Diagnosed at 6 Months
Ziler
Story Written by Mother
At two and a half years old it was determined her ETV was not working any longer. She had her first shunt placed and a month later had her first revision.
Diagnosed at 3 Months
Livia
Story Written by Mother
Brain surgery is scary stuff. A new baby is scary stuff. 3 months in the NICU and spitting in the face of death are all scary stuff. Together they are absolutely petrifying.
Diagnosed at 5 Days
Annelise
Story Written by Mother
“During an emergency 18-week scan after sustaining a blow to my tummy, the technician had a very worried look on her face.,. It was there my fears went from bad to worse.”
Diagnosed at 2 Weeks
Blythe
Story Written by Mother
I had a very typical pregnancy with Blythe. She is my third child an not unlike her brothers. Blythe Raye was born at 40 weeks on October 24, 2016 weighing 7 pound 11 ounces.
Diagnosed In-utero
Robbie
Story Written by Mother
The words that stuck in my head were “there is still time to terminate the pregnancy”, but one thing that was certain was that God gave us this little boy and we were going to do everything in our power to bring him into this world and shower him with love.
Diagnosed at 1
Noelle
Story Written by Mother
We are determined to continue to raise awareness for hydrocephalus and help those impacted as much as possible.
Diagnosed at 1 Month
Lucy
Story Written by Mother
When Lucy woke up from surgery, she looked right at us and we couldn’t believe the immediate changes. A year later, we are revision free, she is doing wonderful and she is meeting her milestones.
Diagnosed at 2 Months
Ashley
Story Written by Mother
The doctor explained to us that Ashley’s brain was bleeding and not draining properly. She used the word hydrocephalus, which I’m pretty sure was the first time I had ever heard that word.
Diagnosed In-utero
Felix
Story Written by Father
People often ask us how we do it- how do we cope with all the surgeries? For us it is really very simple…you just do what you have to do.
Diagnosed at 1 Month
Sofia
Story Written by Mother
“So there was not going to be a magic pill, my 8lb, one month old little girl was going to be having brain surgery.” Those were the words of Sofia’s mom when she first learned that her daughter had hydrocephalus and was going into surgery the very next day.
Diagnosed In-utero
Robby
Story Written by Mother
Robby is a happy young man with an outgoing personality and a great sense of humor.
Diagnosed at 2 Months
Rylie
Story Written by Mother
Rylie is a bright and bubbly 3-year-old who loves to laugh and play.
Diagnosed In-utero
Meryl
Story Written by Father
She is an incredibly smart, active two-year-old with a great sense of humor.
Diagnosed at 6 Months
Amanda
Story Written by Author/Self
I am so blessed to have such a diagnosis. It makes me appreciate the good days, and makes me realize how valuable and precious health truly is.
Diagnosed at 1
Davison
Story Written by Author/Self
From that last surgery at the age of eight, I have been in great health.
Diagnosed at 39
Christine
Story Written by Author/Self
I view the challenges I have faced as an avenue for opportunity.
Diagnosed at 12
Sandy
Story Written by Author/Self
Congenital hydrocephalus
Receptionist/Secretary
Sandy was diagnosed with hydrocephalus when she was 12, but not treated until she was 18. She is in the group of first generation hydrocephalus survivors!
Diagnosed at 4 Months
Layla
Story Written by Mother
Layla was born with an Occipital Encephalocele which caused her hydrocephalus. She’s a happy toddler, hitting her milestones and bringing joy to her family after a successful shunt placement.
Diagnosed at Birth
Edgar
Story Written by Author/Self
Edgar was diagnosed with communicating hydrocephalus as a child.