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Original poster

My husband is having emergency brain surgery, hand hold needed

144 replies

NewbieSM · 29/08/2021 23:24

So my husband has hydrocephalus with a couple shunt fitted, has had it for nearly 20 years. This morning he woke up with a 10/10 headache, vomiting and blurred vision. CT scan showed very enlarged ventricles and a blocked shunt. He went in to theatre at 4pm to replace the shunt -normally a 2 hour procedure. His surgeon called me at 7pm saying that he has had a haemorrhage after they put the new shunt in, he's still in surgery now. I am absolutely terrified that I'm going to lose him, he's only 33 and has two you daughters I can't believe this is happening. Please mumsnetters I don't post here much but feel so scared and alone. He is the love of my life and I can't do this without him

OP posts:
Grinch48 · 30/08/2021 09:58

My nephew had a shunt put in last year due to a very rare brain condition .
A few weeks later he had the same as your DH blurred vision vomiting intense headache & collapsed at home
He ended up back in hospital where they were bloody brilliant and although his stay was a few weeks as it was complicated his surgery took 6hrs and he joked that 5 of those hours was finding his brain 😂
But he is fine and was out and about partying this weekend with his mates over the bank holiday weekend
It’s scary but he’s in the right place with the right people I’m sending you my love as I know a little bit of how your feeling

Pastnowfuture · 30/08/2021 10:43

This happened to my mam when I was about 11 and she was 40. It was a long road to recovery but he got there in the end. Seeing it happen is probably one of my most vivid childhood memories but I also clearly remember all the cards, flowers and wonderful support we got from the local community and friends. Hope you get some good news today xxx

Izzy24 · 30/08/2021 11:09

How lovely to have two positive posts .

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General health
minmooch · 30/08/2021 12:56

Thinking of you and your dh. Hope there is some positive news today

amibotheredsquared · 30/08/2021 12:58

Op I hope everything went okay and your DH is recovering Thanks

StartingGrid · 30/08/2021 13:05

Another hoping your DH is recovering and you're okay after getting positive news Flowers

Ineedaduvetday · 30/08/2021 13:58

Hope you and dh are OK OP

Summerbreeze111 · 30/08/2021 15:44

Thinking of you op, massive handhold and praying for good news. In the meantime look after yourself as much as you can xx

Bakewellisntjustacake · 30/08/2021 16:16

Thinking of you

TheChosenTwo · 30/08/2021 17:27

Keeping everything crossed for you.
A friend of mine had a similar thing happen to her shunt 4 years ago, she’s okay now.
Thinking of you Flowers

SheilaWilcox · 30/08/2021 21:37

Been thinking about you. Hope everything went okay.x.

YogaLite · 30/08/2021 21:40

Thinking about you and your DH, hope all is well Brew

LowlyTheWorm · 30/08/2021 21:40

What a worry. Thinking of you and your husband too. Flowers

Original poster
NewbieSM · 30/08/2021 21:46

Sorry I'm only just coming back to this thread. Dh made it out of surgery, he had a lot of bleeding so they weren't able to complete his initial procedure and have fitted an external drain in the mean time, until they can go back in. I cried when I saw him as he looks so vulnerable laying there.

Doctors are saying he should make a full recovery it's just going to take some time. He isn't really speaking too much yet but will follow commands after some prompting. He has said my name, the girls' name and his Mum so memory is there, he can't really open his eyes but can physically do everything else.

Unfortunately due to the bleed he is VERY confused and agitated he doesn't understand what the drain is and keeps trying to pull it out and escape so he is currently in restraints which I hate so much but needed for his own safety. His full awareness should increase over the next couple of days as the bleed tapers off so I'm looking forward to that.

Thank you so much for all the support, I couldn't have got through the past 36 hours without it :)

OP posts:
Gladioli23 · 30/08/2021 21:52

I've been reading this thread with concern; I can't imagine how stressful and distressing the past day and a half must have been for you. I am so glad your husband got through the operation, and I hope his confusion lifts over the next few days. Flowers

Jasminesmellingcandles · 30/08/2021 21:57

OP thank you for the update, delighted to hear DH got through the operation.

Nsky · 30/08/2021 22:03

So glad things are improving, hopefully time will heal, now you relax a bit

whatausername · 30/08/2021 22:07

Glad to hear things are looking up. Get some rest as and when you can OP

Iusedtoliveinsanfrancisco · 30/08/2021 22:15

You are kind to update us. Thats great news.

RandomMess · 30/08/2021 22:17

Huge hugs Thanks

LemonWeb · 30/08/2021 22:20

Flowers for you and your DH. Thinking of you and hoping for better days ahead.

Mummyoflittledragon · 30/08/2021 22:27

Oh bless him. I’m sure it’s a huge relief for you. He sounds so confused and vulnerable and I’m sure he will be making strides soon. Drains are brilliant as I’m sure you know to aid recovery.

pleasestopscreaming · 30/08/2021 22:38

What a scary time OP. I hope things continue to improve and his operation to fix the the problem goes well. Sending love and good wishes Thanks

DancyNancy · 30/08/2021 22:48

How scary and worrying for ye all. The poor kids. Glad he came through and I hope his recovery goes smoothly Flowers

Emelene · 30/08/2021 22:52

Thank you for the update. I’m so pleased they think he will make a full recovery. Be kind to yourself, especially if it might be a long road. Still praying for you all. Flowers