A life without limits: 24 hours at home!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

24 hours at home!

We got home yesterday around 3pm. Avri was glad to come home. For Matt and I it is scary, but it is always nice to be in the comfort of your own home. Avri has been a little more chipper and whiling to talk to people. She had a couple of her teacher aides stop in and see her. (I like to think of them as her second family) she is with them more than she is me. She loves them both so much. She was glad to see them, but after the second visit she crashed. She wanted quiet again. She gets to breathing hard and huffing and puffing enough that I can hear her from the TV room. Her head ache is back. It is no where near as bad but there to say the least. She either had a restful night or I slept way harder than usual. First thing waking I had to give her more ibuprofen for her headache again. She continues to just want to sleep. One of my best friends and neighbors insisted on bring over lunch and brought Avri upon request an oreo shake. Avri perked up enough to say hi and to take a bite of the shake but the minute she left Avri fell right back to sleep. I am very concerned about the situation but I am going to follow doctors orders and keep her here comfortable and flat until Thursday if I can. If she is not better by Thursday the boxing gloves are coming out.

1 comment:

rabrandaMarch 22, 2011 at 6:18 PM
dear family, I want you to know that you are all in my prayers. I love the heck out of all of you for how you have helped me to become a better parent and how you took my boys in and loved them when i was unable to. You are all such wonderful examples. Avri we love you and know that you will come through this. You are all awesome we love you. if you need anything katie you can call anytime. love rabranda
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What is Hydrocephalus?

The term hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek words "hydro" meaning water and "cephalus" meaning head. As the name implies, it is a condition in which the primary characteristic is excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain. Although hydrocephalus was once known as "water on the brain," the "water" is actually cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — a clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The excessive accumulation of CSF results in an abnormal widening of spaces in the brain called ventricles. This widening creates potentially harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain.

The ventricular system is made up of four ventricles connected by narrow passages.. Normally, CSF flows through the ventricles, exits into cisterns (closed spaces that serve as reservoirs) at the base of the brain, bathes the surfaces of the brain and spinal cord, and then reabsorbs into the bloodstream.

CSF has three important life-sustaining functions: 1) to keep the brain tissue buoyant, acting as a cushion or "shock absorber"; 2) to act as the vehicle for delivering nutrients to the brain and removing waste; and 3) to flow between the cranium and spine and compensate for changes in intracranial blood volume (the amount of blood within the brain).

The balance between production and absorption of CSF is critically important. Because CSF is made continuously, medical conditions that block its normal flow or absorption will result in an over-accumulation of CSF. The resulting pressure of the fluid against brain tissue is what causes hydrocephalus