I am proud to shout about the fact that I live with a condition called Hydrocephalus that I have had since I was born 27 years ago.
Hydrocephalus is where there is water on the brain and I have this as a result of being born with another condition called Cerebral Palsy at 25 weeks, weighing just half a bag of sugar.
A few short months after I was born at Hereford County Hospital (HCH) in August 1996 I was transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham for brain surgery.
I had a device called a VP Shunt fitted on Friday the 18th of October that year which is designed to help drain the build up of water away from my brain.
I have gone onto have a further 2 shunts fitted since then, one in 2005 and another in 2008 just as I had started secondary school.
I was under the care of an incredible consultant neurosurgeon called Mr Walsh who has since retired from his role at the hospital, however I cannot thank him enough for his work over the years to keep me healthy.
I have since been transferred to adult neurosurgery services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital which is also in the capital of the West Midlands, Birmingham.
I experience four main symptoms when my shunt blocks and those symptoms are:
- Sensitivity to Light
- Headaches
- Sickness
- Agression
It is vital that anyone who sees someone having the above symptoms calls an ambulance straight away so that the person can get to hospital as soon as possible and start receiving the necessary treatment.
I would also advise anyone with Hydrocephalus to put this in section of there phone marked medical ID which can be found in your settings as it will make it easier for passersby and medics to identify what is the matter with you.
Today (Wednesday the 20th of September,2023) sees us celebrate the very first “World Hydrocephalus Day” and this something that I am proud to be apart of as one of a lot of people living across the world with our condition.
I have never let having Hydrocephalus define me as an individual and I plan to live like this for many years to come.
I am a multi award winner and have led a successful campaign despite living with this interesting live long condition that will see me under the care of our incredible NHS for the rest of my life.
I know that is another quite short and topical blog but I felt that it is important to shout about the condition that is Hydrocephalus on a day like today.
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I would like to end in my normal way by taking the opportunity to thank each and everyone of my loyal readers and followers who take the time out of your busy schedules every week to read my blogs.
Cam
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