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Larry started to show symptoms 18 months ago. He was starting to shuffle. His problem with walking started to deteriorate rapidly. We went to several neurologists who thought he might have Parkinson's disease. We were moving to Florida so we started with a neurologist there who started treatment for Parkinson's i.e. sinimet. He kept increasing the dosage as the symptoms were getting worse.

Finally, two of our children who are physicians themselves started to investigate. They both came up with a possible diagnosis of NPH. At this point he was starting to experience some urinary incontinence. Our daughter got in touch with the Adult Hydrocephalus Program at John's Hopkins. They requested an MRI and then wanted to see Larry. They examined him and felt that he might be a candidate for a shunt.

First they did a series of lumbar punctures. There was some improvement which indicated he might benefit from the shunt. He was scheduled a few weeks later and was very successfully shunted. The procedure took about 50 minutes. He stayed in the hospital for three days and then we were allowed to fly back to Florida.

Larry had gotten to the point before surgery that he was in a wheel chair a good part of the time. After the surgery he was able to walk onto the plane and with physical therapy he has progressed to the point that he doesn't even use a cane any more and takes long walks for about 50 minutes a day. He had a Strato Vac shunt set at 2.5. Now they adjusted it to 1.5. He is experiencing a "tightness" in his head, but the 4 doctors do not seem to concerned. The "tightness" feeling is not there all the time. We will be going up to Hopkins again in November. They like to check him every three-four months.

The quality of his life is better than it has been in several years.