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timserp

I had surgery two years ago to correct a bad case of hydrocephalus. I had suffered from it since I was a child but it was not properly diagnosed until I was in my late 20's. Ten years later I had the surgery and I feel better than I ever have. I have to say that my surgery truly saved my life. I had a wonderful surgeon and a great support group. My life has changed in amazing ways since I no longer suffer the pain and distractions that I once did. I would love to help other people who are going through similar difficulties now. I would be particularly interested in any support groups in the NJ/NY/Philadelphia area. I live in central NJ.

I continue to feel great two years after my surgery! I have had no side effects or complications. When I first got out of the surgery I felt a little dizzy, kind of in a fog. Another patient described it as "an out of body experience". My doctor explained that it was due to the fact that I was beginning to get back a lot of my brain functions that had been suppressed for so many years.

In the past two years I have also done the following:

• Bought a house
• Received several promotions at work
  
• Started jogging and working out again
  
• ...and got married!

There is no way that I could have done any of that in my previous condition.

I was initially very apprehensive (well, ok, scared to death) with the prospect of brain surgery. I was on a medication for almost ten years (acetozalymide). It initially worked ok but over the years my body got used to it and it became less and less effective until it hardly worked at all. It also had a number of side effects.

I must say that I was blessed with a great surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania. I had the surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia which was also a very good choice. The surgery took about 4 hours and I was out of the hospital and home in two days.

The only pain or discomfort was from the incision that they needed to put in my abdomen for the installation of the shunt. I rarely even noticed the shunt these days. The only reminder is the slight lump that I have on the right side of my head. However, before the surgery I was passing out all of the time so I had a lot of lumps on my head then as well!

Anyway, that's my story up to this point.

Update November 20, 2007:

• Three years later I am still feeling great
• 7 months ago my wife and I had our first child- Anthony Vincent Serpico. He is as happy and as healthy as can be and we are loving being parents!