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Thanks sprinkles. :-) Wow! You've been through quite a lot yourself! Glad you are doing well. Take care. ~ E ~

Nice:)! *SO* did I! I ALWAYS knew I wanted to be an MD though---ever since I was about five or so...LOL. I'd be the VERY first HC povider in my family...EVER! LOL:lol2:! CONGRTS on LPN school/makin' it!!! Yay!!:balloons: Even if you (or ANYONE) wanted to go to med school...*I* don't see why *NOT*!!! *Seriously*!! I read a book of ALL sorts of ER stories/based on ER stories, and the author entered medical school as a 40y/o. So...(and hey, there again---look at *YOU*!!). Same 'principle'...ya know? I've had classmates in ADN school who were 40, or pretty darn close to close it who entered at that age/those ages, so... I'd tell ANYONE...REGARDLESS of the age, and REGARDLESS of the dream: whatever you set your heart, sight(s), and dreams for...GO FOR IT!!! It CAN happen!! EVEN medical school!!! (That author is 'living proof'--as are A LOT of other people...of course!! Those MDs are out there...and I'm sure there are those that took the various tracks even maybe starting out as RNs and just 'went up the ladder'...ya know? I know of RNs who are wanting to pursue MD school...it CAN happen! ) Take care, and good luck! Best wishes in ALL your endeavors!!:) Erin (P.S. RN school for me...LOL;) Math has ALWAYS held me back...that's the ONLY thing...plus...well...never mind...LOL...); hoping to be a neuroscience RN (combined neurology/neurosurgery/ENT floor)--I'd ALWAYS wanted to do Level III NICU, but becoming a neurosurgery pt (ONCE AGAIN!! after a 15 yr. 'hiatus') made me 'change interests'...LOVE NICU still (LOL!)...*sighs*. I'll ALWAYS have a fondness for it...it'll ALWAYS have a special place in my heart;) (because I'm a former premie...that's ALSO why I'm a neurosurgery pt...LOL)

(Blame) me...that's what happened. But...back on topic... I apologize. Proceed... Erin

LOL! Cool! I got an e-mail from allnurses saying my Inbox was (is) full:imbar (Sorry!!)--I need to do some 'cleaning'--LOL! Sighs... Sorry--I JUST got on here...I'm battling PC problems w/my Mom's boyfriend's computer...ROFLMAO! GRRR! :angryfire:banghead::smackingf Oh well...seems to be OK...for NOW! Sighs... We shall see...I'm in the process of getting Mom to help me with refiling my financial aid (so I don't screw up...did it LAST yr. MYSELF--my sister was SUPPOSED to help me, time was FAST approaching, etc. and well...I had to redo things 2-3 times...GRR!), AND she's going to sit down and check my flight info. (supposedly she booked me w/Expedia:smackingf)...LOL...so...I'm kinda stressin' *just* a TAD! I also have a doctor's appt. this coming wk. (on the 18th), as well as I need (rather, it's been *suggested*) to get a medical plan in writing to take with me in the event I need to go to the ER (or even urgent care) re: my migraines. I was SUPPOSED to have a post-op. CT scan/check up w/my NS initially Dec. 5 (had to cancel due to school conflicting...), rescheduled THAT appt. for Jan. 9 (cancelled THAT one for the same reason...SCHOOL!...GRR!), and have NEVER heard back from them so...I'm going UNPREPARED (i.e. NO scans!!) down there (from NC to FL). Oh well...something happens...'it' happens. I know, I know...I'd be SCREWED! I'm doubtful but considering...well...I was VERY much hoping I would be able to go with NO worries (ESEPCIALLY shunt-wise, considering I JUST had two surgeries LAST yr.--and FURTHERMORE...ONE being a SHUNT REVISION!!), with my scans (on CD ROM), etc. I'll just go, hope and pray for the best,...ya know? Good thing I'll be SMACK dab between Tampa and Orlando (LOL)...*nervous laughter*. My sister told me "Well, if ANYTHING happens...we're only a 12 hr. drive". Gee, thanks ALLIE! I'm excited, but still nervous...haven't flown since 2000--even then, that was my FIRST ever flight (that I can recall)--and I was NOT diabetic then, did NOT have migraines, etc...GRRRRRRRRRRR! I have shunt tenderness (primarily the catheter that runs the length of my neck--and sometimes the tubing in my head, whether it be the 'old' tubing or NEW...yesterday I started having pain and tenderness right where the neck incision was (for last yr.'s revision) which doesn't worry me--it's just more of an 'inconvenience'; it's STILL present today). There was not (and still is NOT) any redness or swelling, so...WHEW! I know the percentages re: shunt infection and what 'risk(s)' there are at a certain time after revision and so forth...(or initial placement, of course). It just bugs me... I knew I was in trouble last yr. when I started exhibiting s/s...even after close to !15! yrs. of NOT having a revision. That was one of my fears--NOT being able to recognize (*myself*) what the (potential) s/s might be/were...but *I* knew...OH BOY!! Good grief! :uhoh21: It was interesting how 'events' transpired though...and so forth...(for each surgery). OK, I'll shut up now...LOL! Take care Hope you're doing OK! Erin:) 23y/o; "former premie" @ 30 weeks, 2#2oz., 10 1/4 in. long; hydro due to Grade III IVH(brain bleed), 12 surgeries, last revised 4/20/05, MIGRAINES dx'd 5/13/05;smallest baby in North Carolina to have a shunt inserted, CP dxed @ 2y/o;aunt to David Colby(5y/o) & Jordan Lee born 10/22/02(3#12,14 1/4"@2:27PM EST via C-section @ 36 weeks)--3y/o; Riley "Taylor"(niece---born:4/21/04@3 wks. early weighing 5# and 17.5"); ;-)future ANP(Adult Nurse Practitioner) working on neurology/neurosurgery floor, I hope!!;-);Dad passed away 10/3/03 due to acute renal failure, cardiac arrest, and anoxic brain injury("official" cause of death)

LOL--less of a neuro pt. Cool. Sighs. *I* thought I was until LAST yr. LOL! GRR! (Seriously) :-/:uhoh3::smackingf *sighs* and *shrugs* It's 'life' though...no biggie. Fifteen yrs. or VERY darn close to it was a 'good run'. LOL;) Add in the migraines (DUE to the SURGERIES last yr.!!), and...ARGGHH! LOL...oh well...*shrugs*. WOOOOW! 1984!! I was 2y/o...or thereabouts. LOL! Sorry the shunt no longer works...sighs. Are you worried about that/do you worry about that? (i.e. that something might happen) I'm glad your vents decided to work on their own--YAY!!!:w00t: When were you initially shunted? How many surgeries/revisions did you have in all? I hope you don't mind all the questions...:). I apologize if you do/for being nosey:imbar. 'They decided it was easier to leave the shunt where it is.'--uh huh! That's the 'general consensus'/usually what happens...FAR too risky to remove it. That's what happened LAST yr. w/my NOW non-functional shunt. My NS removed the proximal catheter, but left EVERYTHING in from the neck down and told me it'd have been FAR too risky to remove the rest due to risks of hemorrhage and infection. I was like "FINE with me!!" LOL! He also said he'd have had to make twenty tiny incisions all down my body to remove it, and I was like "Uhhh, no thanks--don't think so! It can stay put!" ROFLMAO. Yikes! *shudders* I've had AT LEAST *one* shunt infection that I KNOW of...I don't/didn't want ANOTHER...of course, I was 3 y/o then...but!...nonetheless...yeesh! I didn't want to acquire a shunt infection, have to have an EVD, be on abx for the duration required, have ALL that set me back 2-3 wks. or MORE!, and THEN be reshunted...! Good grief!! ARGHH! It's VERY 'weird' though just having the catheter from the neck down in--well, being able to FEEL that portion (however, I can ALSO feel tubing in my head that seems like it's from the old shunt too...soooo...hmmm...I dunno...LOL! Just plain WEIRD!). This has 'ALL' made me think ever since then...*ponders*. 'So basically I have no more neuro risk, just some cool hardware to impress my friends.'--glad you no longer have no more neuro risk...'...just some cool hardware to impress my friends'--LOL! Yeaaahhh! Niiicee! :) BTW: I LOVE your quotes!!:) LOL! Very cool! Secondly, good luck on your LSATs! Are you getting out of nursing/going away from nursing?? Lastly, I have ALWAYS had an AVID interest in neonatal nursing (specifically, Level III). I'm in NC, and have ALWAYS had my heart set on UNC/had planned on working in THEIR NICU. Ironically, their NM was one of my nurses, or MAY have been one of my nurses when I was there...she lead me through a tour of the NICU that I stayed in (which was 2 mo. before they dedicated their new Women's and Children's Hospitals), and even visited me when I had my first brain surgery last yr. She was on her way home, but she managed to stop by for a few minutes (I'd emailed her and told her I was in the hospital there, and if she *wanted* to, she could stop by and see me...I was SHOCKED that she did...as I hadn't seen her since she gave me the tour and so forth--which had been 4 yrs. before...!). Take care Hope you're OK Erin 23y/o; "former premie" @ 30 weeks, 2#2oz., 10 1/4 in. long; hydro due to Grade III IVH(brain bleed), 12 surgeries, last revised 4/20/05, MIGRAINES dx'd 5/13/05;smallest baby in North Carolina to have a shunt inserted, CP dxed @ 2y/o;aunt to David Colby(5y/o) & Jordan Lee born 10/22/02(3#12,14 1/4"@2:27PM EST via C-section @ 36 weeks)--3y/o; Riley "Taylor"(niece---born:4/21/04@3 wks. early weighing 5# and 17.5"); ;-)future ANP(Adult Nurse Practitioner) working on neurology/neurosurgery floor, I hope!!;-);Dad passed away 10/3/03 due to acute renal failure, cardiac arrest, and anoxic brain injury("official" cause of death)

You're quite welcome:)! 'Yes, I've checked out quite a few ACM sites on the net, and have gotten quite a bit of information...I guess I just wanted them to be a little more specific.'--I can SOO understand that (and on NUMEROUS levels! LOL...sighs). Whether it be in re: to the hydrocephalus, migraines...I've been fortunate though in that in the 'ZILLIONS' () of pages I've come across/read since I first got the internet ('97)...I've been able to 'enjoy' BOTH aspects of info. 'out there'--from the medical AND pt's 'perspective'. It's been interesting, and nice:). I've NEVER minded the hydrocephalus/shunt(s)--I actually have TWO shunts now...but the migraines I DO mind. LOL!! GRR! :angryfire:banghead: My life's been interesting, that's for sure...! I like it though...it's provided for some challenges, NUMEROUS opportunities to help people (i.e. signing guestbooks and all of a sudden getting an e-mail from a fellow hydrocephalus 'sufferer' or the parent of one--or even a parent of a premie whose had an IVH, and they want to ask you questions about what your experiences have been like and so forth). That's been one of my GREATEST joys...sighs and . It was ESPECIALLY most 'rewarding' as a 16y/o and...it does one's heart good...ya know? I know quite a few Chairians---but no one personally. Then again...I don't know any fellow 'hydro' pts EITHER! Well...I mean, I've met parents or grandparents of pts. Ironically, the unit coordinator that was on the end of the unit that I stayed on when I had my shunt revision last year (one of two brain surgeries...), her son is also a former premie, suffered an IVH, is shunted too...when she found out *I* had gone through the EXACT same things as her son--she was JUST as shocked as *I* was to meet someone SOO 'personal' (being that she was on the neurology/neurosurgery/ENT floor). Her son and I have the same NS. We don't have a ped NS anymore...she left about 2 yrs. ago and moved to VA. Her son had been born at the hospital that I had my surgeries at (which coincidentally...I had been TRANSFERRED there, stayed in the old NICU--which was housed in the main hospital, until they built seperate Women's and Children's Hospitals)...and I had NEVER even DEALT with our NS, nor the neurosurgery residents (or neuro attendings/residents, ER...NO ONE! LOL..) until last year...! I'd managed to go eight weeks AND two days shy of FIFTEEN yrs. before needing last year's shunt revision [my longest time EVER--shortest was 19 days...which was the revision needed to make my temporary shunt placement a 'permanent device'--that was at 5wks. and 2 days old (the initial placement was)]. Wow! So 4 yrs. since your dx...sighs. I'm SO sorry you've had an exascerbation of sx's. That seems to be what happens over time (of course). One either stays where they're at, or they progress/progressively get worse. I belong to several hydrocephalus support groups--a few are Yahoo, and one is actually a mailing list (which I've been a member of since I was 16). I understand about the clinical advice (and about the no-no...umm, yeah! :uhoh21: LOL...yeesh!). *I* am ALL for personal enrichment, education...ESPECIALLY when/if one has a medical condition of their own (or MULTIPLE medical conditions). *I* know that ALL too well! Having four chronic health conditions of my own...umm, YEAH! Hydrocephalus/shunt: 23 yrs., sensorineural hearing loss (just right ear--shunted side only: almost 16 years now...), diabetes: dx'd 8/3/04, and migraines: dx'd 5/13/05...so yeah...I know...:) 'I hope my intentions aren't misinterpreted.'--I don't think they will be. I didn't take them to be...:). So far, it seems like everything is 'A-OK'. Don't worry:)! And again, you're quite welcome! LOL--I haven't had but what the 'average' person with my condition goes through has...LOL. It's OK...I'm just curious to see how many years I'll get out of this shunt...one year down, and HOPEFULLY *at least* four more! LOL...I know I'll get more (HOPING, anyway!!). Since my NS said the average shunt only lasts 5 years...well...*bites nails nervously*. Just kiddin'...LOL. [Did I REALLY want to know that statistic...? (After ALL?!!??) LOL! Just kiddin'] Something to keep in mind as time goes on... Hang in there! Good luck with your quest for info.:)! Take care Hugs Erin P.S. I know of the two best places for ACM decompression/surgeries. I've poured over COUNTLESS CaringBridge sites (not sure if you're familiar with those/have heard of those), and on the main migraine support group I belong to...there's a Mom whose 23y/o daughter was decompressed last year. She goes to one of the two leading ACM experts (Dr. Frim at the University of Chicago). Her daughter was JUST dx'd with high ICP VERY recently, JUST met with a neuro-ophthalmologist to have extensive tests run (she was actually bumped up--appts. typically are about 2 mo. in waiting and hers was booked in a week's time...after reviewing her records), and he said he didn't feel that a shunt would be 100% successful for her daughter. However, her Mom feels that even though the decompression was only 30% successful, if the shunt covers the other part of that success 'rate', then that's promising. AND...in the event that a shunt is NOT 100% successful, whatever percentage is left--they can treat with pain management, which her daughter has been taking part of already/is apart of already...). Her daughter had 23 ACM sx's...she'd been diagnosed w/migraines, 'been through the ringer', been to the VERY best doctors, etc. QUITE an ordeal...radiologists had missed [at the BEST institution(s)] her ACM, etc... 23y/o; "former premie" @ 30 weeks, 2#2oz., 10 1/4 in. long; hydro due to Grade III IVH(brain bleed), 12 surgeries, last revised 4/20/05, MIGRAINES dx'd 5/13/05;smallest baby in North Carolina to have a shunt inserted, CP dxed @ 2y/o;aunt to David Colby(5y/o) & Jordan Lee born 10/22/02(3#12,16 1/4"@2:27PM EST via C-section @ 36 weeks)--3y/o; Riley "Taylor"(niece---born:4/21/04@3 wks. early weighing 5# and 17.5"); ;-)future ANP(Adult Nurse Practitioner) working on neurology/neurosurgery floor, I hope!!;-);Dad passed away 10/3/03 due to acute renal failure, cardiac arrest, and anoxic brain injury("official" cause of death)

Hi. I'm not sure if I can be of any help, but I'll try. Here's some info. I found "In recent years, the term CMI has been used synonymously with tonsillar ectopia or chronic tonsillar herniation in a wide variety of congenital and acquired disorders. The radiological definition of CMI has been reported as tonsillar herniation of at least 3 mm or at least 5 mm below the foramen magnum. However, this definition is limited to a single criterion and makes no reference to clinical symptoms or the presence or absence of associated findings such as syringomyelia." I got the above from http://www.chiariinstitute.com/research_finding.pdf. (First paragraph on pg. 20 at the VERY top...) Sorry...I don't know what else to tell you...I know of a few ACM sites, but they're resources for patients. I DID find this...: "The treatment for Chiari malformation is neurosurgery. Most surgeries for Chiari report a 70% success rate in helping with symptoms. There are four categories of surgery. There are: 1) decompression of the back of the brain by removing a portion of bone in the skull at the base of the brain (suboccipital) with a craniotomy which is the opening of the skull and upper cervical area. Also, a laminectomy which is the removal of the portion of the bone to gain access to the spinal nerves and opening the tissue covering the base of the brain with the placement of a patch to cover the area where the bone was removed. 2) draining the syrinx which is a cavity of fluid in the spinal cord and opening the spinal cord to drain the area with possible placement of a catheter leading from the syrinx to another space to create a pathway for constant draining. 3) making a pathway for fluid to drain by cutting off the lower tip of the spinal cord. This procedure is called terminal ventriculostomy. 4) suctioning out the fluid from the syrinx. There is a 30% failure rate in all of these procedures. Some doctors like to treat the Chiari malformation at the same time the syrinx (if one exists) is treated. Syrinxes are not always present." If I find anything else, I'll let you know...again, I apologize. I'm just a neurosurgical patient myself...college transfer [sTILL hoping to do nursing (neuroscience: combined neurology/neurosurgery/ENT)]. Sighs... Oh, and I'm sorry that I'm late in posting/wandering onto here. I 'venture' onto here in 'spurts'. LOL... Take care I hope everyone's doing OK! This site, and you all are FANTASTIC!!:-) Hugs, Erin 23y/o; "former premie" @ 30 weeks, 2#2oz., 10 1/4 in. long; hydro due to Grade III IVH(brain bleed), 12 surgeries, last revised 4/20/05, MIGRAINES dx'd 5/13/05;smallest baby in North Carolina to have a shunt inserted, CP dxed @ 2y/o;aunt to David Colby(5y/o) & Jordan Lee born 10/22/02(3#12,16 1/4"@2:27PM EST via C-section @ 36 weeks)--3y/o; Riley "Taylor"(niece---born:4/21/04@3 wks. early weighing 5# and 17.5"); ;-)future ANP(Adult Nurse Practitioner) working on neurology/neurosurgery floor, I hope!!;-);Dad passed away 10/3/03 due to acute renal failure, cardiac arrest, and anoxic brain injury("official" cause of death)

Hi! I've been a Type 2 diabetic since 8/3/04 (diagnosed that day, anyway)--and am on two oral hypoglycemic agents (metformin and glyburide). The lowest I've ever registered (and been coherent too) was 38--and I didn't even feel a thing.... VERY scary though--and I suffer hypoglycemia A LOT (primarily at bedtime/nighttime)--but because of my meds (well the glyburide), I am a meal skipper, AND I DON'T/WON'T eat a bedtime snack/'cover myself' in that regard. I just CAN'T 'force myself' to eat before bedtime...LOL. GRR! I've NEVER been a nighttime snacker. My Mom on the other hand--sheesh! My Dad was bad to do it too. Also, as 'irony' would have it (I say that because you started this particular thread)--I had my diabetes follow-up today with my family physician. LOL...anyway, take care! I'm interested to see what 'evolves'! Erin

Hi! I'll make this 'short, sweet, and to the point'. LOL. I'm on Topamax 150mg qhs and was started on 100mg qhs for migraine prevention. Go to http://www.migrainepage.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi, which is a GREAT site on migraines--but you'll find A LOT of discussion(s) about Topamax, s/e's various migraineurs have had while on it, etc. Even I have posted about it (just type in 'eskeen'--w/o the 's, as that's my ID on there, if you want). Hope this helps! Take care! Erin P.S. I was started on 25mg and per instructions was told to 'increase 1 tablet each week until you are up to 100mg'. If you don't find any posts by me and/or having any trouble or whatnot, let me know!

Hi Shannon!, You *most* certainly can! I'd be "honored"! I've e-mailed/corresponded with COUNTLESS premie parents/told my 'story' on premie sites (guestbooks), had premie parents e-mail me because of my story because they read it or whatnot, I've joined premie clubs (primarily on Yahoo), etc.--so I've had a lot of experience dealing with premie parents and LOVE it/REALLY enjoy it! It really makes me happy/makes my heart 'feel good' knowing that *I* bring them hope in showing them that there IS hope for their premies and so forth! I especially like talking with/hearing from those whose children went through/have gone through/are going through what I did---the IVH, subgaleal shunt, subsequent necessitation of a placement of a VP shunt, etc. and so forth. I was also diagnosed with CP at two years of age, but thankfully with EI/PT, it resolved itself. However, I have noticed over the last few years that I have muscle spasms, primarily at night, but it may just be 'one of those things'. It doesn't worry me too much though. One thing that's become a problem though is that when I had my spring surgeries and in April when I had my shunt revision--I presented to the ER and of course had to meet with an ER resident and he did an EXTREMELY thorough exam (especially neuro) and I found out that I didn't have any reflexes in my elbows. The same thing reccurred with the May surgery when I presented again in the ER, and had to have the ventricular catheter of my (then 14y/o) non-functional shunt removed as well as a left ICP monitor placed. It also took place when I had a neuro exam re: my migraine diagnosis. Hmmm...oh well...I'm not too worried. It's just 'annoying', more than anything (like A LOT of things ). I've also talked with A LOT of former premies too--quite a few who have been through the same experience(s) as I have [i.e. hydrocephalus, shunt(s), etc.]. I LOVE corresponding with ANYONE/EVERYONE 'premie-related'. LOL. The same goes with the hydrocephalus/shunt(s) aspect too. I LOVE being able to help in whatever way I can--even if it just means 'listening':). Sorry this got (a 'little') long. LOL:imbar(bad habit of mine:chuckle). I'm just curious--may I ask what preemie site you're referring to, if you don't mind:)? Thanks SO much SmilingBluEyes!, I really appreciate y'all letting me post here/share my story. It makes me feel good being able to do so [and receive such (a) 'warm' response(s)]! And thanks for your very kind words!---that means A LOT! I've been trying to figure out what my purpose in life is (for 'many' years now)--and am still wondering. I mean I know what I've been through, know what an impact/influence it has had on my life, influenced my career decision(s) and so forth, etc. but still.... Also, I know what I want to do IN life and what I want OUT of life...but...still... I just...I dunno..kind of hard to explain I guess/I think. Hmmm...my Mom ALWAYS said (and still does) I was (am) her miracle baby, and I know I am--but I know there are babies who have also endured FAR more than I have. I feel EXTREMELY blessed though!--God knows I do. One thing I worried about (still do) is the getting 'too emotionally involved...'. I know one has ALWAYS heard NOT to do that, but STILL...how can one NOT do that!!????!?!?!??? The nurse manager I mentioned, as well as the nurses/NPs, and even a resident I talked to said that that is NOT something to worry about and it's OK!--one HAS to have SOME emotional 'involvement'. I mean...after allllll...sheesh! Anyway...I'd better stop here...LOL. I know one still has to place a 'little' 'distance' because it can really add even more stress/make things difficult, but one cannot be HEARTLESS or whatnot. OK, I am REALLY going to stop HERE! LOL:chuckle:). Thanks you two! I hope y'all had a good evening and are having a good day! Sincerely, Erin

Hi RNin2007, I was just doing a search and came across your post. I'm sorry I can't be of any help, but it looks like you've gotten some here. LOL...I wanted to say that *I* am a former premie (myself), also have hydrocephalus, have a VP shunt, etc. I was a singleton--youngest of three kids (older brother and sister: 28y/o and 24y/o, respectively). I had a fairly 'easy' NICU stay--minus the IVH and so forth. I can tell you more if you'd like...take care! You have BEAUTIFUL children! I don't have any children myself--just two nephews and a niece (5y/o, 3y/o---he was a 36 wker @ 3#12oz., 16 1/4", but stopped growing @ 31wks.---and 18 mo.: she was 3wks. early @ 5#even and 17.5", respectively). Erin

Hi everyone, First of all GREAT posts here! VERY good--I bawled my eyes out ALL the while while reading them. The stories/experiences/etc. that A LOT of you wrote about...WOW...!!!... :crying2: . Also, others REALLY :angryfire me for what transpired with some of these babies (i.e. left in dirty utility room, or what some nurses said to some of y'all about some of the babies y'all cared for---GRRR! ). I'm not an RN--YET! As y'all can (probably) tell by my ID--*I* am a former premie myself: former 30wker, 2#2oz, 10 1/4", Grade III IVH, PHH, 12 neurosurgeries--11 shunt revisions, etc. I could go on and on, but I won't--I'll spare y'all details and so forth. I had ALWAYS wanted to be pre-med actually, but since I struggle SO much with Math, I decided--wellllllllll, I'd better 'wise-up'/get realistic. So...I realized my senior year of H.S. to go for nursing. I ALWAYS knew I wanted to do Level III NICU nursing consideringggggggg...HELLO!... It has ALWAYS, ALWAYS...(did I mention *ALWAYS*? LOL)...held a special place in my heart. I started corresponding with the attending neonatologist who oversaw my care at the second transferring hospital I was sent to (and ultimately had ALL of my neurosurgeries at--that's the ONLY type of surgery I've EVER had) in September '99 via e-mail, and 12/28/99 my Mom and I met him at the NICU at which I'd been transferred to. We stayed 2 hours, and WOW!--WHAT an amazing experience. It was SUCH a proud moment/one of THE best days of my life (NO lie!!). I got a chance to tour the NICU, talk with some of the nurses (I'd been expected:p :chuckle ), eat lunch with Dr. Kraybill, and ask him questions re: my medical records--which he'd sent me a copy of everything the hospital had had on microfilm. Fast forward to 7/13/01 and I got to tour the unit AGAIN--this time with the nurse manager who JUST so happened to be one of my nurses while I was there at the time (I was born 11/23/82, transferred the same day to a hospital about 35 minutes away and spent 5 wks. there, and was then transferred to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, which is a Level III NICU). Again, I spent 2 hours there--I got to spend a little time with her, and then she 'let me loose' with a couple of staff RNs and a couple of NNPs (as that's what I wanted to do/had my heart set on--I'll explain things in just a 'minute'). THAT, too, was an unbelievably amazing experience. September 8, 2001 UNC dedicated their new Women's and Children's Hospitals and they've been in 'operation' ever since. I have yet to visit the new NICU, but I have thought about it often--especially ever since I had e-mailed the NM before the dedication and she had said I was more than welcome to come, she had told the director of the NICU about me, etc. I had told her once I got settled into school and such that I would let her know/would like to see it and she said just to let her know and she'd give me a tour. LOL. I felt so...'at home'...both times I visited...it was SUCH an amazing experience. Everyone was GREAT, VERY caring, nice, helpful, etc. Dr. Kraybill had even said that he'd write me a recommendation to nursing school--I never took him up on that offer (I felt it was too 'awkward'--just can't explain it--I admire him VERY much/look up to him--I'd thought about being a neonatologist if I'd gone pre-med). I'd even had a couple of nursing instructors tell me they'd help me any way they could. I just really liked it over there [still do, when I reflect back on my experience(s)]. However...after going just EIGHT weeks and TWO days shy of FIFTEEN years w/o a shunt revision, I had a brand new VP shunt placed April 20. On May 10, I had the ventricular catheter of my 15 y/o shunt (14 y/o at the time) removed--but EVERYTHING from the neck down left inside. So...now I have a completely FUNCTIONAL shunt, as well as NONFUNCTIONAL shunt (two shunts). They're both on the same side. May 13 I was diagnosed with migraines and THOSE are the result of the surgeries I had at that time. Also, I have sensorineural hearing loss due to ALL of my shunt surgeries--right ear has 85% hearing loss and I also have *some* in my left, but I hear considerably well/well enough. A hearing aid really won't help because I have very poor word recognition (re: the right ear), but the ENT resident I see said it's my decision...he said an amplified sthethoscope is still a great option/option, and I have a Prestige Clear Sound, but I'd REALLY like to have a TRULY amplified stethoscope (i.e. the REALLY nice/expensive ones, because even though this one 'amplifies', you can still hear the rustling/shifting/whatnot of your fingers or whatever may be happening/it doesn't filter out ALL the noise). Yes I know they're quite expensive, but I've been looking for about a year or so on eBay and I know of a couple of models I'm interested in and they sell for about half, sometimes a third or so of their original cost. The one I have says you can hear through ten layers of terry cloth towels, hear through clothing, bandages, etc,. It's 'good for now'. LOL. Anyway, I just wanted to (also) say KUDOS to y'all for taking care of/tending to these special gifts from God in their times of need (and also their families). You all are TRULY s (thanks). Everyone's stories were...SOOOO 'amazing', heart-wrenching, etc. Even though I have shifted my interest from (Level III) NICU nursing to neuroscience nursing--I hope to work at UNC Hospitals' Neuroscience's Hospital's combined neurology/neurosurgery/ENT floor and ultimately get my MSN and be an Adult NP, I still LOVE/am fascinated by the field/area and my heart is still 'in it'/with it. I still read up on it/have an interest in premies, ethical issues, YOU name it and I have an interest in it--LOL. I can't help it...it's 'in my blood'. It's still a 'tie' between neurological/neurosurgical interests too--particularly hydrocephalus, shunts, ICP monitoring, etc. Oh, lastly, I'm also a diabetic and have been since 8/3/04. So...I have FOUR chronic health conditions...WHEW :uhoh21: :imbar! I enjoyed everyone's posts on here and this topic really tore at my 'heart strings' (not TUGGED, but TORE). To those who have lost a child--I'm SO sorry ! To each and EVERY one of y'all, . Thanks for letting me tell my story (and post). I hope y'all have a good night! Erin P.S. A couple of more things I wanted to say: I wasn't supposed to live, my parents were told this, and told to make arrangements. Well...we know what happened;-). Also, to Mike, I found what you said about the lecture you attended VERY interesting/quite fascinating---especially the fact that you attend some of the same courses as (the) medical students--that's VERY neat/'cool'! Thanks...OK, I think that's IT from me...LOL. Again, thanks everyone for letting me post here and sorry for this being SOOOO long:imbar !

Hi everyone, I hope y'all don't mind my posting. I'm not an RN---yet;-)---just an ADN student; got in last fall, audited due to personal/financial reasons, and got back in for this fall, etc. but this post caught my attention b/c I'd NEVER had Phenergan that I recall--NOR Toradol--and I received IV Phenergan when I had my April surgery (I had a shunt revision--brand new non-programmable 15. Delta VP shunt) and after having had a radionuclide shuntogram, MRI w/contrast--about an hr. long, having to sit up, lie down CONSTANTLY, etc., receiving Percocet for pain--HAs, especially, moving around re: the tests, and while waiting to be taken back to my room after the MRI, I vomited :imbar . Also, *AS SOON* as I got back to my room, off the gurney, and sat down on my bed, the nausea hit and I vomited four times, one after another. :imbar THAT is one thing I'll never forget. Sheesh! Unfortunately, before my MRI, I had "made the mistake" of eating lunch...sooooo...even though I didn't vomit much, it was still the fact it occurred. *SIGH* Anyway, my IV Phenergan was diluted--good nurse!! LOL :chuckle ;-)--my Morphine was only diluted *once* in all the times I received it and that was in between grams---I think I received two and so...she was nice too. *THAT* helped!! That was also the only time I remember receiving Percocet with Morphine, which unfortunately didn't help my pain any. *SIGH* Toradol I have only received once and that was during my recent "shunt crises" too---before the shunt revision--IM. It worked, hurt like hell for a minute or so, but hey... :) . I've found out Morphine is CRAP in re: to me/my pain. LOL. *SIGH* IV Dilaudid on the other hand...WOW! :rotfl: Woah boy! THAT works! Phenergan's good if ya want to sleep--and of course, want relief from N/V--that is, IF it works for you. I will say, Phenergan worked in NO time with me--I swear it worked in FIVE minutes, if not THAT quick, 10 MAX! Zanaflex is good for my migraines, when I needed to take it/was allowed to take it...but I've been "BANNED"--- :rotfl: --from taking it, along with my Maxalt--and put on Frova for the time being (although I have Rx's for the other two; just need to take them when ABSOLUTELY necessary The resident I saw July 20, who was present in the hospital when I was dx'd May 13, said I was rebounding and made it sound like I was pill-popping and/or taking it like it was candy. *SIGH* again! GRRR!). It's been an interesting few months, I'll tell y'all that. to you all, and I REALLY enjoyed this post (and MANY, MANY others!!)!! Erin:-) P.S. Of course, with ALL the other IV Morphine doses, they burned like HELL---OUCH---! *SIGH* That's NOT something I hope to experience "often"--LOL. Oh boy...! Then again, if I tell them Morphine won't do anything for my pain if they'll consider something else...***ponders***. AND I'm NOT a drug seeker--no one would wonder that though, not the ones that know me, which that's the majority! LOL;-P

hey everyone, is there anyone from nc here? more specifically, anyone in the triad region? lastly, anyone work at unc hospitals? lol...ok, i got all my questions out...whew! erin---love them heels! ;-p p.s. i had originally always planned on going into *some* kind of health-care field(actually, i always had the aspirations to become a physician, but when i realized at the age of 8 or 9 that i'd *always* struggle with math, i knew i'd better get realistic and "switch gears"; i still held out hope though through my sophompre/junior year of h.s. though;-)), and never planned on nursing, though. level iii nicu is where i wanted to ultimately wind up (first as a staff rn and then as a nnp), and first work as moore regional hospital in pinehurst (nc, of course)---home of the 2005 u.s. open, and then at unc hospitals in their nicu; both hospitals is where *i* was treated as a 30 wker in 1982. however, i decided to switch specialties (neuroscience nursing---still hoping to pursue my msn, i guess, probably adult np...what do y'all think?---would that be "most appropriate", you think, for a neurology/neurosurgery floor? (and possibly nsicu on down the road, *if* i decide to do that at *some* point))---when i had to have two neurosurgeries (in april and may---with actually, *three* different procedures, but still under just those two neurosurgeries) which are r/t my prematurity (grade iii ivh). i had some of the "common" premie problems, as well as the ivh. however, compared to most premies, i had a fairly uneventful nicu experience [i.e. no rop, bpd, rds, etc.---just the ivh, was on room air on day 2 of life, did have to have exchange transfusions due to numerous "bld. lettings" (those are from my medical medical recods...lol), seizures during my first 2 wks. of life, jaundice due to hyperbilirubemia, etc.]. i was actually born at another small community hospital (adjacent county over from where i was raised), transferred to mrh the same day and spent 5 wks. there, and then transferred to unc where i spent about a month there once i was stable enough (initially, while at mrh, i wasn't expected to live and my parents actually were told, *and* planned, to plan my funeral) to be transferred. i was transferred there from a "neurosurgical standpoint" and from that point onward until the age of seven, i wound up having ten neurosurgeries and was followed up with the sicc for as long as necessary (age-wise), as well as with the opthalmology clinic. i managed to stay away from unc for so very close to fifteen years (*eight* weeks and *two* days shy of *fifteen* years, to be exact) before my now, non-fucntioning shunt started giving me problems; but it had most likely been malfunctioning slowly for a number of years from what my neurosurgeon says. it was just a matter of time...*sigh* so in addition to *that* shunt, i also have a functional one that back in may had caused everyone to wonder if maybe it had malfunctioned too...but all is well with it so far...i just have migraines in addition to the hydrocephalus/shunts, etc. guess that's it...lol. oh, and i'm an adn student going *back* into my school's program for this fall (audited last fall due to personal/financial reasons and got back in for this fall). good luck to all who are hoping to do nicu nursing, are already nicu rns pursuing bsns, msns, etc.! may we *all* get where we are going (and *what* we want---out of life;-)!)! sorry this is *so* looong!

Hi! First off, LOL (Laugh Out Loud). I am HORRIBLE at Math, ALWAYS have, and ALWAYS will be, I'm afraid. *SIGH* DANG IT! GRRR! OK, enough there. LOL. Anyway, we use "Calculate with Confidence" by Deborah Gray Morris (3rd ed., but we're upgrading to 4th ed.: I got in last fall, audited due to personal/financial reasons, and got back in for this fall). Here's the link: http://us.elsevierhealth.com/product.jsp?isbn=0323029280 I *actually* like it, believe it or not. Here's another book that people seem to really like (heck, they like the ENTIRE series!---"Made Incredibly Easy!!"): http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0874349044/qid=1119038699/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/102-8836336-3468101 I am *sure* there will be MANY more recommendations and whatnot. Good luck, keep us posted if you'd like, etc.! By the way, you *do* mean medical math, correct (and not the actual medications)? Just making sure. LOL. Erin ADN student