Another procedure this afternoon, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt will replace the ventriculostomy drain currently in place. The ventriculoperitoneal shunt runs inside the body and moves excess fluid from the brain into the abdomen where it is then absorbed. The doctors want to replace the ventriculostomy drain with this interior shunt in order to prevent possible infection. This procedure is extremely common in treating hydrocephalus.
Katherine has been in ICU all morning and reports that Fred is doing well. She says mainly he has been sleeping, but when awake, he has been trying to speak. Katherine said she heard him say very clearly "I want to get out of here." We are very encouraged by his progress.
Posted by Red Chuck at November 1, 2005 12:06 PM