I was shunted near birth and had a few revisions, but nothing for 30 years. I often wondered if mine was still even necessary, particularly since that would make it likely I could get health insurance and life insurance if it were no longer needed. Then, after about a 30 year layoff, those familiar symptoms appeared. I went to a clinic, got a scan. The neurosurgeon's intern was amazed at how full my ventricles were, and they got me into surgery immediately. Your mother might be telling you this as a way to assuage any fears or developmental, social impediments she might think she notices (mothers can be so wonderful that way..) but don't take her advice. Assume you still need it and it is still working bec these conditions to not just go away.