Connie's Corner

CT news...

Last Thursday, Jim saw the neurologist, and even though there was not supposed to be much of a chance, he has nph, or normal pressure hydrocephalus. In normal jargon, it's too much cerebral fluid in the ventricles of the brain. It happens occasionally in seniors, without a known cause sometimes, as in Jim's case.

Of course, the neurologist was delighted because he says it can be fixed by surgery. We are not too sure. Drilling a hole into the brain is not my idea of an easy fix. It's called shunt surgery, http://www.lifenph.com/surgery.asp . The shunt is a little tube inserted into the area to drain the excess fluid by way of a catheter ending somewhere in the abdomen. We are writing down lots of questions for the neurosurgeon when we see him, several weeks to get an appointment, the neurologist says.

The big bonus of the surgery is for Jim to be able to walk again, but nothing is guaranteed, of course. And there can be a progression of more ill effects if we do nothing. Being able to do research on the web seems a blessing sometimes, but it does make the deciding difficult.

The weather is getting nice, even here in Florida, 60's at night and 80's during the day. The dogwoods are beginning to have puffs of yellow with just a tinge of pink and the sycamores are taking on that crunchy look when they start turning brownish-yellow. Fall is marching forward and the days are growing shorter. More pinecones and needles are falling and the birds seem to jibber-jabber more. They must be discussing their long trips and what to pack.....

until next time...c

Connieann wishes you all the very best!