(June 3, 2009 s/p VP shunt placment)
Ashlyn Grace's VP shunt is 3 years old! Is it silly celebrating the birthday of an inanimate object? Not at all! After all, for a child with hydrocephalus, this medical device, which drains excess fluid off of the brain, is a matter of life and death. Ashlyn is an energenic, normally developing 3 year old diva thanks to her shunt. Many hydro kids are not as lucky to have such a reliable shunt and require frequent revisions and replacements. I am blessed that we have gone 3 years with no major problems and pray for many more surgery-free years!
We spent Ashlyn's "shunt-a-versary" at the Strong National Museum of Play, our favorite place in Rochester!! We had a blast as usual, and I was overjoyed to be able to watch Ashlyn playing like any other normal, happy, healthy 3 year old. Thank you VP shunt! You rock and that excess CSF doesn't stand a chance against you. Happy birthday!!
Ashlyn and Daddy giving hula hooping a whirl!
The gang hanging out at Sesame Street.
Papa teaching Ashlyn how to play the archaic video games from back in "his day".
My 3 year old is a genius...she can play a mean game of chess!
(Of course, by chess, I mean just randomly moving pieces around with a intense look on your face.)
