When I was 17 weeks pregnant with James we found out that he has Hydrocephalus. Before he was born we searched for answers, researched this condition, and found doctors in the Atlanta area that specialized in neurological disorders. We found a doctor that was very well qualified and set up an appointment to have a consultation about this condition. It was hard at first and I felt completely alone in this world. The more and more I researched the better prepared I felt but nothing would have prepared for what we were about to go through.

James was born on June 11th2009. Within the first 6 months of his life he endured 14 surgeries, 12 for shunt malfunctions and infections. We were in the hospital for most of those 6 months. When he turned a year old James started having seizures due to his hydrocephalus. It took almost a year to get his seizures under control. In September of 2010 James had to go in for a shunt revision and to add a drainage catheter to a cyst that had formed in the back of his brain.

James was doing great for a year and 9 months. He had started Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Horseback riding therapy. In June 2012 we took James to the emergency room and the tests showed that there was a cyst forming on the distal end (the part in his belly) of his shunt and he had to have a shunt revision. His shunt was replaced with a VA shunt to help prevent another cyst forming.

We were given such a grim prognosis when we find out that James was going to be born with hydrocephalus. We were told James was never going to walk, talk, eat, or breathe on his own and everyday James proves the doctors wrong! James now crawls and is starting to learn how to walk and can talk your ear off when he wants! He is my miracle baby.