[smitty]

Hi,
I am posting this so in case anyone goes thru what we have for the past year! Long story short, mom went to Surgery last year to check to see if shunt was draining properly, the end of the tubing in her belly was taken out and then put back in, she has never been the same since. Well today the Dr said that the bacteria that grew in her blood culture today was the same as last month and it is a specific bacteria to shunt infections, they dont think its in the brain, but rather in her belly where the tubing is, so she is on antibiotics and they are getting a surgery consult to see if they want to replace the tubing and look around her belly for an abcess. It seems that it would be wise to replace the tubing to get rid of the infection, but what do I know. Any ideas? I would have never guessed that this could be it, hopefully they can get her well now. Thanks for the advice and well wishes.
Smitty

[jadiee-x]

Hi sorry to hear that =(

Any wise neurosurgeon, should have removed the whole shunt as soon as the littlest shunt infection was found. She should have been put on an external shunt whilst being on an antibiotic drip to flush out any infection, before any of the shunting was put back into place.

These are the exact words my neurosurgeon has told me a few times, with each expected shunt infection Ive had, that, 'Even the smallest of shunt infections, is still an infection and all infections are dealt with in the same way.'

I do hope you're mother is in the best possible care, but seems to me, that there may be different rules there as to my hospital :/

Best of luck =) xo