Hydrocephalus

Normally I would have information faster about things my daughter has been diagnosed with, but I during our last surgery we were not informed correctly about what my daughter has and why the shunt was put in. I really hope that we are more informed in the future.

Before Ella was born I joined a few groups for parents of Dandy Walker Children. I learned so much from other moms on the DWS site and what I may be up against when Ella was born. I have only came across one other family besides us in Utah that their son too has Dandy walker. Hopefully I give the correct information. But he has had 4 shunt surgeries. He was diagnosed with not only Dandy Walker but with Hydrocephalus. After Ella had her shunt put in, the mother asked me if they diagnosed Ella with Hydrocephalus because normally they would put a shunt in the front of the brain to drain fluid from this syndrome. We were only told during the surgery and whole stay that this was put in for the Dandy Walker.
So when we went in Thursday I asked a lot of questions, ones that I didnt even think to ask when she was in the hospital. My main question "Does Ella have Hydrocephalus?" The doctor looked at me funny thinking I should know this question. He proceeded to say that the reason why the shunt was placed was because of the Hydrocephalus. He said that the Hydrocephalus is caused from the Dandy Walker. I was thinking to myself "wouldn't that have been great to know before you placed the shunt?"
So, Ella has been diagnosed with Hydrocephalus which is enlargement of the ventricles in the brain.
I would like to share a link from the Hydrocephalus foundation. There is a link to donate to the research and cure of Hydrocephalus, while its Christmas and I know a lot of families are having hard times this year. We should all donate to this cause, and find a cure for many children out there including my daughter Ella. I wish we could find ways to find a cure for everyone that is suffering from an illness/syndrome, this is one of my biggest wishes!

Click the link to follow and learn more about one of Ella's 3 conditions.

                                 http://www.hydroassoc.org/