Looks like my Mom is going to need Brain surgery...

[bicentennial_baby]

I got a letter from her today...She's now incontinent, and tripping over things, which are the major hydrocephalus symptoms that necessitate the insertion of a shunt. :(

That being said, we still don't know what's causing her inability to speak...I'm praying like a mofo that it's not ALS. If it was, I think she'd be much closer to death, as it's been going on for over a year now, and the prognosis for voice-onset AlS is about 18 months tops...I have no idea, it's so frustrating and depressing and freaking me out...

Thanks for listening all... :)

[KitchenWitch]

1. I am so sorry!

Wish I could do something more than offer support!

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

4. thanks sweetie

:hug: Support is really helpful, trust me :)

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. Aw, girl

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

5. thanks baby

:hug:

*wiggles toes at you* ;)

[livetohike]

3. I'm so sorry bi_baby

:hug: I hope your Mom gets the relief she needs soon and that the prognosis is a good one. It's so frustrating not knowing the cause of an illness.

[bicentennial_baby]

6. It really is...

thank you so much :hug:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

7. I'm sorry baby.

You know I'm always here for you.

:hug:

:loveya:

[bicentennial_baby]

10. thank you, my dahling....

thank you soooo much :hug:

:loveya:

[photogirl12]

8. I'm so sorry.

Prayers and happy thoughts are coming your way.:hug: :pals:

[bicentennial_baby]

12. I'll take all that I can get...

:hug:

[buddhamama]

9. i am sorry, sister girl

sending the best i have for your Mom. May the surgery be of help, and the prognosis good :hug: :hug:
for you too, of course. :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

13. I hope so, so much...

My dad already has MS, and this is getting really hard to handle... x(

:hug:

[idgiehkt]

11. I am so sorry to hear that

You will be in my thoughts. You can pm me if you need a shoulder. My grandmother went through this with the mystery illnesses and we never really found out exactly what was wrong. Parkinsons and maybe some Alzheimers; and a plethora of other stuff on top of that.

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

14. Thank you love

I may take you up on that offer... :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. I am so sorry, my dear bi_baby.......

All my very best hopes and wishes are on their way to you and your beloved mother......

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[bicentennial_baby]

23. she is beloved...

she's my rock in this world...it's so sad and difficult... x(

thank you :hug:

[flamingyouth]

16. I'm so sorry, hon

How scary for you. I'll light a candle for her and keep you guys in my thoughts. :hug::loveya:

[bicentennial_baby]

24. awww, thank you Lisa

it means *so* much to me, truly

:hug:

:loveya:

[ghostsofgiants]

17. Eep...

:(

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

25. thanks homie

:hug:

[Call Me Wesley]

18. Sending good vibes to your mom.

Peace and comfort to you. :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

26. Much appreciated, seriously

:hug:

[Sugar Smack]

19. My God, that's awful.

I'm sorry, bibaby. I fervently hope that things work out well for her and for you. I know this has been a real trial in your life. I'll be thinking of you and praying for her.

:( :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

27. Oh my love....thank you... (READ THIS)

:crying: Don't be making me cry now....

Are you available this weekend? Tonight? Tommorrow?

:hug:

[Sugar Smack]

40. On Sunday I will.

We can talk. I love you. :hug: :pals: I will call you whenever you say.

[bicentennial_baby]

57. I have to wait until Sunday?!

Ok then....call me on Sunday. Early evening is best, I think. I needs to talk wit you! ASAP! and I miss you sooooooo f'n much, it hurts. If you can spare me a moment before Sunday, please please let me know...I wuv you :)

:loveya:

[Sugar Smack]

69. I JUST got back from folk-dancing with my dad & his pals.

I miss you so much. I'm supposed to be out all day tomorrow, but if I'm in I WILL call you. I love you, my little baby. I want to talk with you so much too. I'll try to call tomorrow. :loveya: :hug:

[Redstone]

20. Dammit, BB. as if your dad's condition wasn't enough.

Hang in there, kiddo.

Redstone

[bicentennial_baby]

28. Oh sweetie!!!

it is SO good to see you!!! I miss you!! :hug:

and thank you...I know you understand... :hug:

PM me if you wanna talk...or visit :)

[Redstone]

33. I'll do that. Any particular days of the week that you're available for lunch?

Redstone

[bicentennial_baby]

35. Hmmmm....let's see

MWF, I'm available after 1:30

T/Th, I'm available until 1pm

S/S, free all day

So, just let me know, and I'm there :)

:hug:


:loveya:

[Redstone]

36. Thank you, m'dear. The week after next looks like it might not be

too crowded for me (updating a 320-page website is maddeningly slow, but may be done by then).

And it's a short haul from here to there, so I don't have much of an excuse not to make the trip, do I?

Pass along my regards to the Sniffas, would you?

Redstone

[bicentennial_baby]

37. You really don't have an excuse, no....

:D

Just give me a day...MWF would be better, maybe a late lunch somewhere... :)

Are you buying? :D

:loveya:

[Redstone]

39. You bet I'm buying. You pick the place. I'll take it from there.

Redstone

[bicentennial_baby]

41. I'll start working on that a.s.a.p!

:bounce: You've made me a happy girl tonight! :loveya:

[Redstone]

43. Feels good to be able to improve someone's evening.

Anytime I can do that, it's been a worthwhile day.

Redstone

[Haole Girl]

21. I hope they know more shortly and...

...hope she improves soon. Take care...:hug: :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

30. thanks friend

:hug:

[Guava Jelly]

22. I'm sorry bi baby

All my thoughts and hopes go out to your mother and you :hug:

[RevolutionaryActs]

29. That's awful, I'm so sorry.

:hug: :loveya: :hug: :loveya: :hug: :loveya: :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

31. You're the woman...

I wuv you... :loveya:

and thank you :hug:

[RevolutionaryActs]

32. Lots of good vibes to you.

:loveya:


You and your mom will defiantly be in my thoughts. :hug:

[RiffRandell]

34. I am so sorry.

You are in my thoughts.

[bicentennial_baby]

38. Thank you

:pals:

[NewWaveChick1981]

42. Awww...bibaby, I'm really sorry...

:hug: :pals: I'm hoping for the best for your mom.

[bicentennial_baby]

49. thank you sweetie

:hug:

:loveya:

[SeattleGirl]

44. Oh, baby, I'm sorry to hear that. But I hope it turns out to be a

good thing for her. :loveya: :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

50. Me too...

thank you :hug:

:loveya:

[Mutley]

45. I'm so sorry, sweetie.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

51. Yeah, it sucks....and

thank you love :hug:

[ThomCat]

46. I hope that surgery goes well.

No complications! I'm sending good vibes!

:hug: :hug: Hugs for you and your family.

[bicentennial_baby]

54. thanks you...

:loveya:

:hug:

[NC_Nurse]

47. I am sorry to hear that!

A VP shunt is not so bad. I've taken care of many kids after they were placed. I hope it's not ALS too.
I hope things go well for your mom. :hug:
Make sure to take good care of yourself too, she'll need you.

[bicentennial_baby]

53. I know she will

on top of my dad with MS....oy, it's rough... x(

thank you :hug:

[NC_Nurse]

59. Man, BB! That's a lot on yer plate!

Take DOUBLE good care of yourself!

I'm leaving for Montana tomorrow to visit my husband's father, granny and stepmom. Stepmom has Parkinson's,
Granny is legally blind and has rheumatoid arthritis among other medical problems (her 90th birthday is Monday - hence our visit).

Just got back from Atlanta visiting my folks - my mom has vascular dementia and my brother is autistic/MR.

I could go on - our family is full of elderly ill people and mental disorders. My husband is an only child and I am the only functional sibling in my family.

I feel your stress!

[bicentennial_baby]

61. Oh, I am with you!

At least I have my brother who lives with Mom and Dad...I did too, until this last May. I'm sending him a thank-you card tommorrow, to let him know how much he is appreciated. :)

:hug: :hug: :hug: !!!!

[NC_Nurse]

64. Good for you!

I often talk to family members who are left with no help and no appreciation for
their care of aging relatives. I'm glad you are there to help and support your brother.
I may be in his shoes soon with my family.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Nicole]

48. I'm so sorry

Good thoughts & prayers for your mom.
Hugs & strength for you.:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

55. I can use them all

thank you :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

52. Best wishes to your mom and your whole family.

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

56. Awww, thanks baby

You're the best... :hug:

:loveya:

[wildhorses]

58. continuing to hold you and her close to my heart--

may the surgery be successful :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

62. thank you baby

you're the best :loveya:

:hug:

[unsavedtrash]

60. my little sister had a shunt put in in early September

It may not sound very comforting but it is the simplest of brain surgeries and according to her docs it is seen as routine. I was a nervous fucking wreck but she came through fine. She is 31 and had very similar symptoms as your mom. MRI scans found hydrocephalus due to a Arachnoid cyst in late July. Her doc was a bit slow but after seeing her symptoms increase to what seemed to be early onset Alzheimer's he got a move on.
The shunt runs from the top right side of her head, down behind her right ear, and then into her stomach. It is right under the skin and according to her is not noticeable unless she touches it. She said it hurts like hell when the doc presses it to insure the pump is working. Sadly, some of her symptoms such as incontinence has continued and there is talk of draining the cyst. But she said the headaches are basically gone and she does seem to be more herself.
I hope this helps.

[bicentennial_baby]

63. thank you for being honest...

seriously.... :hug: to you and your sister... :hug: :hug:

[Left Is Write]

65. I'm sorry, sweetie.

My best wishes to your mom.

[dolo amber]

66. Oh sweetie...

:(

Best to your mum and your family. You'll all be in my thoughts. :hug:

[WindRavenX]

67. ugh

I am so, so, so sorry bi_baby :(

Feel free to PM me if you ever need to talk :hug:

[Ptah]

68. Please add some western good vibes to your future.

I hope for the best for you and yours.



:hug:

[reyd reid reed]

70. I'm so sorry

It's got to be hard. If there's anything I can do...

:hug:

[Fleshdancer]

71. I will pray that it isn't ALS too

I would be freaking out too! Wow. I am so sorry bicentennial_baby. Please keep us updated. I hope the surgery goes smoothly and I wish your mother a speedy recovery.

:hug:

[Amaya]

72. I'm sorry

sending a ((big)) :hug: your way.

[Kat45]

73. So sorry to hear that.

All you can really do is keep on praying. I hope she will get better, and somehow be made comfortable as they try to figure out what's going on. :hug:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

74. I'm so sorry to hear that.

Good thoughts for your mother. :hug:

[lavenderdiva]

75. I just wanted to let you know that you and your mom

will be in my prayers. I can't imagine what you both must be going thru. I will also be praying for her doctors, that they will be guided in their diagnosis, and in their treatments of your mom... :hug:

[bullwinkle428]

76. I am really sorry to hear this...

Please send my best wishes to your Mom and the rest of your family... :hug:

[WCGreen]

77. Just be there for her when she needs you....

That helped me....

[Midlodemocrat]

78. Oh, sweetie. I'm so sorry.

Prayers and good thoughts headed to your mom and you.

:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

79. I'm so sorry.

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

80. Thank You to everyone on this thread

You have no idea how much your words are helping me...thank you. :grouphug:

[Arugula Latte]

81. I'm sorry you're going through this.

How stressful and scary. :hug: