Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Fr

BUY THIS BOOK

Print Book $19.95

By Chuck Toporek, Kellie Robinson
First Edition February 1999
Pages: 377
ISBN 10: 1-56592-410-X | ISBN 13: 9781565924109
(Average of 4 Customer Reviews)

Book description

Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition often referred to as "water on the brain" that is treated by surgical placement of a shunt system. Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends educates families so they can select a skilled neurosurgeon, understand treatments, participate in care, know what symptoms need attention, discover where to turn for support, keep records needed for follow-up treatments, and make wise lifestyle choices.
Full Description

Hydrocephalus, often referred to as "water on the brain," is a potentially life-threatening condition that affects one in a thousand babies born in the U.S. Hydrocephalus is now generally treated with surgical placement of a shunt system that drains excess fluid around the brain to another part of the body where it can be absorbed. As the child grows, shunt revision surgeries are often necessary. Adults with hydrocephalus can be prone to shunt failures or other changes that necessitate subsequent surgeries. Lifestyle choices or pregnancy can strongly impact fluid pressure and health. Authors Chuck Toporek and Kellie Robinson have lived with hydrocephalus for years and have interviewed neurosurgeons, patient advocates, and families living with the condition. Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends informs patient and family so that you can:

Select a skilled neurosurgeon
Understand what treatments are being proposed
Participate more fully in your care
Know what you can expect during and after surgery
Know symptoms needing attention
Know where to turn for support
Keep records helpful for future diagnostic or surgical work

Families who read this book will encounter medical facts clearly explained, advice to ease their daily life, and tools for patient advocacy.

Browse within this book

Cover | Table of Contents | Index | Sample Chapter

Featured customer reviews

Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends Review, November 03 2002

Rating:

Submitted by Gloria Rice [Respond | View]

One Sunday while on the telephone, I had a sudden headache. It was a pain in my right eye like what I use to refer as "Brain Freeze." When ever I ate ice cream or would drink cold water I would get this pain, behind my right eye and had to stop eating or drinking. But this time I didn't have anything to eat or drink causing this sudden tremendous pain. I hung up the phone and went to lay down on my bed. If it wasn't for my husband calling 911 and the rescue team calling for a hellicopter to take me to the hospital across town, and a wonderful surgeon I wouldn't be here today. I remained in the hospital & nursing home from Sept.16,2001 to Nov.26,2001. I couldn't eat because I was nauseaus most of the time so my husband gave me Coke Cola to drink, that settled my stomach. I used a wheel chair and a walker to get around for two months. I have rheumatoid arthritus and don't want to be in a wheel chair ever again. Sometimes I use my cane, but only when the waather turns bad.I am 72 years old.

It took me a year to remember what I was wearing that terrible day. And I wondered if anyone else has experienced "Brain Freeze" before they had this operation. Two weeks ago I saw my surgeon for the last time till next year. She said I looked wonderful and have lost 35 pounds. I have a V.P. Shunt and I am a number #2 survivor. By the way I'm also a breast cancer survivor. I will check out your book and apreciate being able to tell someone about my surgery. Thanks

Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends Review, November 03 2002

Rating:

Submitted by Gloria Rice [Respond | View]

One Sunday while on the telephone, I had a sudden headache. It was a pain in my right eye like what I use to refer as "Brain Freeze." When ever I ate ice cream or would drink cold water I would get this pain, behind my right eye and had to stop eating or drinking. But this time I didn't have anything to eat or drink causing this sudden tremendous pain. I hung up the phone and went to lay down on my bed. If it wasn't for my husband calling 911 and the rescue team calling for a hellicopter to take me to the hospital across town, and a wonderful surgeon I wouldn't be here today. I remained in the hospital & nursing home from Sept.16,2001 to Nov.26,2001. I couldn't eat because I was nauseaus most of the time so my husband gave me Coke Cola to drink, that settled my stomach. I used a wheel chair and a walker to get around for two months. I have rheumatoid arthritus and don't want to be in a wheel chair ever again. Sometimes I use my cain, but only when the waather turns bad.I am 72 years old.

It took me a year to remember what I was wearing that terrible day. And I wondered if anyone else has experienced "Brain Freeze" before they had this operation. Two weeks ago I say my surgeon for the last time till next year. She said I looked wonderful and have lost 35 pounds. I have a V.P. Shunt and I am a number #2 survivor. By the way I'm also a breast cancer survivor. I will check out your book and apreciate being able to tell someone about my surgery. Thanks

Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends Review, June 02 2001

Rating:

Submitted by anonymous [Respond | View]

I have had hydrocephalus since I was born and it was refreshing to read your book. Not only did it serve as an informative piece of work it also provided hope. I have had hydrocephalus since birth. Yet I have never seen it as a disability or impairment, instead I have used it as a way to inform others. As a result I am now in college working to earn my nursing degree. I am proof that this disease does not have to slow you down or stop you from living. I realize how fortunate I am to have this disease because it has shaped who I have become

It doesn't have to be the end of a life, instead it should be a beginning

Age:18

Read all reviews

Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends Review, April 25 2001

Rating:

Submitted by Yvonne Ventimiglia   [Respond | View]

I haven't yet read the book, but my daughter, age 27, has hydrocephlus and I often thought of writing such a book. I think we have had all the complications known to hydrocephalus, and know how complicated life can be. 27 years ago we were at the beginning of successful treatment (thank God)through use of shunts. Her complications resulted in visual impairment, precocious puberty, hemiplegia and now Type I diabetes which I contribute to some of the extreme pharmacological treatments she endured in her early years resulting from shunt infections.

I encourage ANYONE who has a caring involvement for someone with hydrocephalus to read and understand the lifelong adventure that the condition presents! I have read exerts, and these authors are right on and very informative. I thank them for their loving concern in writing this much needed book.

Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends Review, April 22 1999
Submitted by Gayle Crowe   [Respond | View]

My husband has had a shunt since the age of three years. He will be going through
his first shunt revision at the age of thirty-five. This is the first time I have
had to deal with this kind of surgery. Although he is frightened, I think I'm a
little bit more frightened than he is. This book was checked out through our local
library and has been a god send. Now I feel a bit more confident about the procedure.
They explained it so well and with words that I could understand. I am going to buy the
book so I'll have something to refer to when I have questions. Thank you for a wonderful
book!

Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends Review, April 14 1999
Submitted by Christine Gaitens   [Respond | View]

This book is Gold, a real Treasure

I picked up this book one morning and did not stop reading until that
evening when I was finished. It was so easy to read and so informative
that I could not put it down. Since then it has helped me with many
decisions in dealing with my daughters medical situation.

This book explains hydrocephalus completely and clearly while giving
suggestions about many aspects of receiving the best medical care
possible including how to talk to your neurosurgeons, what symptoms to
watch for and how your medical system affects the kind of care you can
expect. The sections on hospitalizations, shunt revisions and side
effects offered information that I had not received anywhere else. I
also made many new connections with others dealing with this condition
through the appendixes in this book.

Buy this book and be informed! I am now passing it around to all my
family members and friends so that they can finally understand what
hydrocephalus is all about. I will continue to treasure this resource in
the years to come as a reference and means of support when it is most
needed.

Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Patients, Families & Friends Review, March 04 1999
Submitted by Julie Kern   [Respond | View]

Thank you again, you both have my (and Joey's) eternal gratitude
or taking the time and effort to write this book. God bless you both.

Media reviews "Toporek, a medical editor, and wife Robinson, a writer and hydrocephalus patient, fill a void of information on hydrocephalus (water on the brain) for the lay reader. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries." --Library Journal, June 15, 1999

"I found [this book] to be most informative. Something like this is desperately needed for families. It appears to cover essentially all of the issues that the patient's family and friends will face. The language is very comforting." --Marion L. Walker, M.D., F.A.C.S., Professor and Chairman, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of Utah, Primary Children's Medical Center

"We highly recommend this sensitively written book that does much to dispel the myths about hydrocephalus, providing the reader with in-depth information and a wealth of resources." --Emily S. Fudge, Executive Director, Hydrocephalus Association, San Francisco, California

Read all reviews

See larger cover

View/Submit Review