----- Original Message -----
From: "mom96097" <mom96097@...>
To: <hydrocephalus@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 18:27
Subject: [hydrocephalus] Re: HELLO I'M NEW HERE...


> --- In hydrocephalus@yahoogroups.com, "Ugly S.O.B." <ugly@...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "mom96097" <mom96097@...>
> > To: <hydrocephalus@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 23:22
> > Subject: [hydrocephalus] HELLO I'M NEW HERE...
> >
> >
> hey thanks alot for just responding. I was wondering how many
> revisions you've had to have? My son was shunted at 5 months and has
> already had 6 more surgerys. Also they say that there not sure whether
> he'll be able to walk or do any normal childhood things.

Unofficially I set the number at 28. I'm sure that I'm not far off but I
have never been able to tabulate an exact number with 100% certainty. The
only definite ones are

8 in 1979
4 in 1984
1 in 1986
1 in 2002

My mother kept a journal in 1979. Dad had to fly around Canada on business
trips back then and I was only 12 years old. The notes read to the effect
of, Sean had to have more surgery. Mom informed dad over the phone but told
him to keep on with his meetings. Next thing she knows, dad took the next
flight back to Ontairo anyhow. In retrospect I sort of feel guilty for
messing things up though I realize, I had no control over it.

Please remember that EVERYBODY is different sp please don't categorize me,
your son, or anyone else based on the abilities (or lack of) that any person
with hydrocephalus possesses. That has been unfairly done to me many times.
"Oh she's a university grad even though she has a shunt. Therefore we expect
YOU to do the same." To make such comparisons is one of the most unfair
things one can do. It's hard enough for those kids without health issues. On
the same token, if they are not sure if your sin will walk, then for
goodness sake, don't write him off! A saying I learned: He who says it
cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it. Oh, and didn't I
read about him having trouble seeing? GET HIM GLASSES! No he's not too
young. My daughter has been wearing glasses since she was 10 months old. It
would have been sooner if we were able to get a sooner appointment with the
opthomologist. He'll be that much better for it. Little Zophie's
transformation was just about instantaneous when she got her glasses (we
have the day documented in photographs)

-Best wishes.

-Sean the Ugly