**Confirming surgery July 5.

[elleng]

Received a confirming call around noon today.

Gotta get going on plans, which include wrapping and delivering birthday gifts for daughter and grand-daughter, BEFORE July 4! Will Leave home for Baltimore Monday July 3, and FAST on July 4 (I think that's one of the 'rules.') MAY return home July 7.

[we can do it]

1. Good luck 🍀

[rsdsharp]

2. Best of luck, and good wishes for a successful outcome.

[MLAA]

3. Sending you vibes for smooth sailing and a speedy recovery! Keep us posted.

[blm]

4. Best wishes for you.

🫶🏽

[question everything]

5. Good luck. Hope no more delays.

[onecaliberal]

6. Healing vibes....

[mahina]

7. Best luck!

You are in wonderful hands. Aloha e Elleng.

[cilla4progress]

8. Good luck,

elleng!

[rurallib]

9. hoping you get the very best care!

[Warpy]

10. You should do fine

except for the bad hair days afterward. It would be easier if they'd shave it all, but they never do. Sadists.

I can't imagine they'd make you fast for a whole day, usually it's a light supper (chicken broth and Jallo) followed by nothing by mouth after midnight except morning medications with a tiny sip of water.

[elleng]

11. I don't WANT it all shaved, my choice,

but have caps to cover up.

Hope to see more about eating 'before' later, like Monday.

[Warpy]

13. Open heart patients came from home, where "light supper" could have been anything

maybe a Happy Meal instead of two Big Macs, we never knew. It didn't really matter since they were asleep after midnight and we got them between 5 and 6 AM if they were scheduled as first case that day.

They used to starve everybody before surgery back in the bad old days, but I haven't seen that for years unless it's bowel surgery.

[LoisB]

12. Sending thoughts for the best outcome. I believe that all will be well.

[CTyankee]

14. Oh, dear, ellen, I had no idea you were having health issues, but I am hoping the surgery will

resolve them successfully! I will be thinking of you!

Where is the surgery being performed?

[elleng]

15. Johns Hopkins, Baltimore.

[CTyankee]

16. One of the best hospital in the world! That must be reassuring to you!

[elleng]

19. Yes it is reassuring, and I like everyone I've dealt with.

P.S. issue is Hydrocephalus comes from the Greek words: “Hydro” meaning water and “cephalus” meaning head.

Hydrocephalus is a chronic, neurological condition caused by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities of the brain called ventricles, resulting in pressure on the brain.

It affects over 1 million Americans, ranging from infants and older children to young and middle-aged adults, as well as seniors.

There is currently no cure for hydrocephalus, but it can be treatable.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced in the ventricles and in the choroid plexus. It circulates through the ventricular system in the brain and is absorbed into the bloodstream. CSF is in constant circulation and has many functions. It surrounds the brain and spinal cord and acts as a protective cushion against injury. CSF contains nutrients and proteins that are needed for the nourishment and normal function of the brain. It carries waste products away from surrounding tissues.

Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of CSF that is produced and the rate at which it is absorbed.

https://www.hydroassoc.org/about-hydrocephalus/

SO having shunt inserted, to return to normal gait and balance. I think I've had the condition for much of my life, and has become burdensome 'lately.'

[alfredo]

24. My sis had treatment for it too. She is doing fine

[elleng]

25. Good.

thanks.

[CTyankee]

26. Amazing progress in medicine!

I've learned quite a bit of late about the brain. My husband fell in the bathroom recently and hit his head, causing a horrific loss of blood. I was stunned. EMT's got him out and took us to the ER. Several tests were done and his wound was sewn up and we went home. I learned that there is a lot of blood at the brain to protect it. He was OK and we were taken home by medical transport and the EMT's carried him up to his bed.

Your treatment sounds promising!

At first I read your wording "normal gait" as "normal gaiety" and I thought that sounded poetic and rather nice.

[fierywoman]

17. Sending you light, love, fast and easy healing, and vibes that everything goes

absolutely right for you.

[alwaysinasnit]

18. Wishing you a successful operation and speedy recovery elleng.

[alfredo]

20. Keep us informed

Good luck

[ShazzieB]

21. Wishing you the best possible outcome and a speedy recovery!

I'll be thinking of you next week, and of the ospreys!

[virgdem]

22. Wishing you a successful procedure and a speedy recovery.

[2naSalit]

23. Will be with you in spirit!

[mercuryblues]

27. Johns Hopkins is the best

Tha is where I went for my Bone Marrow Transplant.

[elleng]

28. WOW!