Hydrocelphalus...what's the big deal?

If you're like me, you hear the word Hydrocephalus for the first time and don't think much of it. 
It sounds like a pretty innocus thing doesn't it? I often wonder how many people are walking around
right now that have no idea they have it. That headache that is eased with medication. The blurry
vision that seems to improve with glasses. Looking back, I can remember those things. Chalking it up to 
too much time at the computer, working too many hours or too much stress. Not that those things weren't
fairly accurate. Like most things, if we aren't affected by it or know someone that is we will most likely 
hear the word Hydrocephalus and brush it off. I know I did. The first time I heard the word, before it wreaked 
havoc in my life, I was in my early 30s. I couldn't get my headaches under control and went to a Neurologist with
my mom. The Dr came in after reviewing my scans and mentioned Hydro something then carried on to say it was most likely a result of a deformity from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I remember looking at my mom and wondering what she was thinking. She sat silent. The Dr recommended shots in my neck to ease muscle tension once a week and we proceeded from there. I completed the treatment, the Dr moved out of the area and I never thought twice about that appointment. How I wish I'd asked more questions then. I would have been more prepared for where I'd find myself a decade later. I could have had more in depth and honest conversations with my mom. But I chose not to. I was busy. I had two kids, a stressful job, a failing marriage. I didn't have time to think about things that had no bearing on my life. Or so I thought. 
What I would tell someone hearing that word for the first time now is this; Hydrocephalus can not be cured. It means that the cerebral fluid is not properly draining from your brain and is causing the ventricles to expand. If left untreated it is fatal. There are several different types, causes and outcomes. There are two surgeries currently available to manage the continual build up of Cererbral Spinal Fluid in the brain. One is a shunt and the other, which I was fortunate to have, is an ETV (Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy). Neither surgery is without risk, complications and potential life long side effects. But hey, it's better than the alternative.  As my dad would say,
"Every day on this side of the grass is a good day!"