Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum. I have lived with acquired communicating hydrocephalus from a treated bacterial meningitis infection since i was a six month old baby. I have a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. I have had luckily only 2 shunt revisions so far due to failures from blockages. my hydro affects my vision, learning so it takes me longer to grasp concepts, forgetful and unfortunately precipitated my 3 mental illnesses. Growing up I always felt different to my peers because I couldn't participate very much in physical education/gym because of all the contact sports and partially grew up in my local children's hospital due to all the medical appointments and tests involved. My life in elementary school revolved around the appointments and tests at my local pediatric hospital but I had an absolutely amazing neurosurgeon following me then just like I having an amazing neurosurgeon now. Now I do have activities, friends and hobbies outside of my hydro so I do have a social life outside of the endless medical appointments I need to attend. All of those experiences ignited a love for medicine as a profession as well as mental health but that is another story. I never met anyone with hydrocephalus ever before especially growing up because no one in my immediate or extended family has it neither in my ethnic community that i know of until I found this group tonight. Thanks for reading my story and looking forward to chatting with you all.