I need to thank an incredible brother here on the board. I have never met him in person but he extended an offer of friendship, genuine caring and just being an all-around great guy.

Zaphod, I am in your debt. I love you, mang.


Now to an apology. Due to the reasons described below, I need to apologize to the entire Arizona crew that planned a get-together for tonight in Phoenix.

Az crew, I am terribly sorry. I hope you guys understand.



Now to the reasons for all of this icky emotion this early in the morning.

My new nuerosurgeon in Phoenix, Dr. Rekate, saw me yesterday in Phoenix and decided that his earlier treatment plan for me was not going to be sufficient. His initial plan was to replace the tube in my head and then hope that a new style of tube will solve the probelm of too much pressure inside my head. After his initial evaluation, he decided that I have been suffering from a congenital birth defect and some series of relatively minor brain traumas had switched the hydrocephaly to the on position. Once the hydrocephaly began there was immediate pain and the beginning of continuing cognitive deficits. Basically, I am winding down mentally. The best corellation to my condition that I have heard is ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease as both processes include similar nervous system shut down.
The treatment is a more intensive surgery than the originally scheduled tube replacement and includes a 10 day stay in the ICU. Since we are close to the holidays, the Dr. wanted me to spend them with my family, not in a hospital room gorked out of my head. So they changed my surgery date to the middle of January.

So there it is, a tribute to a great friend Zaphod, an apology to the Arizona crew, and an update on the reasons for both the tribute and an apology.

We'll keep you guys informed.

Well, wiggy762, I'm sorry to hear the news.

I hope you will not mind if I pray for you.

God answers prayer.

Is this treatment supposed to stop or reverse the hydrocephaly?

Please keep us informed.

Good luck to you, Wiggy.

good luck. if there is anything we can do just say the word.

mike

What they said, times two.  Sending a few well guided prayers.  PLEASE, keep us up to date.

best wishes, I hope everything goes well.

You have my prayers too.

Stay strong.

 Good luck, brother wiggy762.

Good luck Bro.  Look forward to seeing you in April at the hun shoot.

TXLEWIS

Prayers sent.  My uncle had the exact same thing.  He had a shunt installed but that wasn't keeping the pressure down.  They replaced it with a manual pump behind his ear.  Whenever he gets to feeling bad, a quick push on the pump a few times restored everything.

My brother is in the later stages of ALS (diagnosed 5+/- yrs ago).  Fight it with all you've got.  I'll keep you in my thoughts/prayers (whatever fits).

Geez... hope it goes well, all the best to you & yours.

Oh, please... It was nothing. [img]http://www.gracecentered.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blushsmiley.gif[/img]

Glad to see you're up and about, my friend. I had been hoping you'd be reporting more success, but then spending Christmas with the family is hardly a bad thing, isn't it?

Word of advice: ENJOY IT! Let the Lord and the doctors handle the rest!



You better, or I'll hunt your ass down and put you back in the hospital! [;D]

Continued prayers for you and the family. You know how to reach me if you need me, and the line is always open...

...MENG! [;)]

WOW Wiggy!!  Sorry to hear about this, I had no idea.  I will also add you into my prayers, you'll be okay.

Sgtar15

PS I expect a 5 page essay report on all the procedures involved in this operation.  I expect all facts to be backed up with footnote refrenses.  It will be graded by an AR15 group of your pears and desides wheater you can return.
[;)]

Good Luck and Best Wishes.....Prayers sent.

Get better, friend, our prayers are with you.

Not by YOU, I hope! [lol]

Will keep you in my prayers wiggy. Wish you all the best.

Best of luck with the procedure next month!  Have a great holiday season with the family!

I will be thinking about you...every time I see that crumpled tool box in the back of my truck!  [;)]

Best wishes to you, man.  We will all be thinking about you.

TRG

Prayers sent for you. God luck man.

Prayers sent!  Good luck and get well soon.  

Prayers sent Wiggy, God bless you!

Ditto wiggy, keep us posted...

Prayers out for you Wiggy.

Wiggy, man ... it sounds like you're in good ahnds with the Doc there - I' sure you have mixed feelings about postponing the surgery, but please, take the time to enjoy Christmas with your family.

As everyone else here has said, if there is anything we can do, don't hesitate to ask ... and please do keep us posted on your progress.

We'll be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, here, as well.

Prayers sent.


Try to enjoy the holidays, and please keep us posted.


Rest easy my friend.


dave

From a Kansan to an ex-Kansan, please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes for you and your family, [b]wiggy762[/b].

I feel for you buddy!

Some data for those like me who never heard of this:  (Take note, that much of the information available is specific to newborns, and not the adult onset type!)


What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus 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 surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The excessive accumulation of CSF results in an abnormal dilation of the spaces in the brain called ventricles. This dilation causes potentially harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain. Hydrocephalus may be congenital or acquired. Congenital hydrocephalus is present at birth and may be caused by either environmental influences or genetic predisposition. Acquired hydrocephalus develops at the time of birth or at some point afterward. Acquired hydrocephalus can affect individuals of all ages and may be caused by injury or disease. The causes of hydrocephalus are not all well understood. Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary with age, disease progression, and individual differences in tolerance to CSF. In infancy, the most obvious indication of hydrocephalus is often the rapid increase in head circumstance or an unusually large head size. In older children and adults, symptoms may include headache followed by vomiting, nausea, papilledema (swelling of the optic disk, which is part of the optic nerve), downward deviation of the eyes (called "sunsetting"), problems with balance, poor coordination, gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, slowing or loss of development, lethargy, drowsiness, irritability, or other changes in personality or cognition, including memory loss. Hydrocephalus is diagnosed through clinical neurological evaluation and by using cranial imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or pressure-monitoring techniques.
Is there any treatment?
Hydrocephalus is most often treated with the surgical placement of a shunt system. This system diverts the flow of CSF from a site within the central nervous system to another area of the body where it can be absorbed as part of the circulatory process. A shunt is a flexible but study silastic tube. A limited number of patients can be treated with an alternative procedure called third ventriculostomy. In this procedure, a small hole is made in the floor of the third ventricle, allowing the CSF to bypass the obstruction and flow toward the site of resorption around the surface of the brain.

What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for patients diagnosed with hydrocephalus is difficult to predict, although there is some correlation between the specific cause of hydrocephalus and the patient's outcome. Prognosis is further complicated by the presence of associated disorders, the timeliness of diagnosis, and the success of treatment. Affected individuals and their families should be aware that hydrocephalus poses risks to both cognitive and physical development. Treatment by an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and educational experts is critical to a positive outcome. Many children diagnosed with the disorder benefit from rehabilitation therapies and educational interventions, and go on to lead normal lives with few limitations.

Prayers sent my friend.

Good luck.  Hope all works out very well for you.

Good luck Wiggy!  Enjoy the holidays and the family. Hope to see you back out at the Hun Farm.

You're in our thoughts wiggy...

Good luck Wiggy.

Stay strong, and keep fighting.

God Bless you, Brother Wiggy.
From All of Us at AR15.com.

I'm glad to hear you will be able to spend Christmas with your loved ones. We're all praying for you in the "Hessian" household.
Merry Christmas and God be with you!

Dave, Pam, Jessica, Ashley, & Chris

Hessian-1[wave]out!

God bless you. Enjoy the holidays,and you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

No apololigies needed bro.
We're sorry we couldn't get together with you.
Just let me know when you get back into town, and if there's anything I can do to make your stay better.
Once your back on your feet, then will tip a few to your new found good health.
Till then my prayers and wishes to ya!

GS808

1 prayer - sent down range

Get well and god be with you.

David

wiggy762 Good luck , its great to have family at times like this.

i think youre a victim of SPROING, the over exposure to the sound of a buffer spring in an AR, call johnny cochran!!!!!




all jokes aside, its a tough break and sure to be a long hard battle. keep us posted. im not the religious type and it looks like other members have the prayer angle covered. for us heathens here, know that we're rooting for you in this difficult time. wish you the best.

Best wishes, I have you in my prayers.

I hope everything goes well.

Best wishes Wiggy. You'll be in my prayers.

Also, take a camera with you. You know we'll all want to see the pretty nurses. [naughty]

Good luck, Wiggy.
It sounds like you've got a good doc looking out for you.

I'll keep you in my prayers.