Mom Canasta and Mayo surgery

September 3, 2023: Well, I missed my medication this morning and it wasn’t my fault. I wasn’t allowed to eat anything from midnight to 6:17pm. I had my whole VP shunt taken out, which is why I coudn’t eat antying for my meds this morning. The only enjoyable thing I did today was play a roudn of Canasta with mom. Then, during my surgery she left, and Papa came by. My dad also helped me write some of this. I also watched a little bit of the Netflix show Somos today, which was in Spanish.

Well, today I missed the state fair. I had my surgery, and they didn’t get it started til after noon, so I couldn’t eat for hours and hours. That also means I couldn’t take my meds in the morning.

Here are some notes my dad sent me, from talking with Dr. Flanigan after my shunt revision surgery:

- Distal (lower) catheter did not drain w/gravity — was removed and replaced, with assistance from general surgery team.

- The shunt valve was fractured, which could not be seen on imaging — was replaced, and set at 3.

- Proximal catheter (upper, goes into brain) did not drain w/gravity — was gently removed and replaced.

- CFS (spinal fluid) was clear, which is a good sign.

- Fluid came through new catheter at high pressure. This means Anya definitely needs the shunt (is “shunt-dependent”).

- With shunt valve set at 3, the pressure should be kept low. Watch for low-pressure headaches, which would be indication that valve should be set up to 4.

- Anya will be on antibiotics for 5 days — can take orally when she is discharged. Shunt revision has a higher potential for infection, which is why Dr. Flanigan wants antibiotics.

To be grateful for: I’m grateful that I have Mayo Clinic here again, who can fix my shunt. Grateful that I have a PCA in the room who also played volleyball. Grateful that with the new shunt I hopeful won’t be vomiting as much. Mabye I’ll even have better short term mrmory. Grateful that my dad can spend the night in Rochester.

Today is yet another day that proves things can always get worse.