Sunday, June 3, 2012

Happy Shunt-a-versary!

(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.)

2 comments:

  1. hi...I'm Manda from Indonesia.
    our daughters are same, they are with hydrocephalus.
    my daughter is Filza, she is 18 months now.
    I'm happy to find your blog that I can be more optimistic in my life :)

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    1. Sorry I didn't see this comment until now....I have been taking a bit of a blogging break! I am glad my blog has been able to give you optimism while dealing with the very scary and complex diagnosis of hydrocepahlus. Sending thoughts and prayers for your daughters. :)

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