Navigation

A&E – an emergency shunt inserted into Jacobs brain

By aimee on 27th January 2016 in News

Jacob had an emergency shunt inserted due to the brain tumour causing more problems, we took Jacob to A&E where we were told he had acute hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid on the brain. The excess fluid puts pressure on the brain, which can damage it.

Hydrocephalus can usually be treated using a piece of equipment known as a shunt which Jacob had inserted on the 31st July 2015.

This is a thin tube that’s surgically implanted in the brain and drains away the excess fluid. If left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal.

Bless him, more surgery. We’re just hope that this makes Jacob feel better.

Looks like we’ll have to shave his hair off again……

Jacob back in A&E at Birmingham Children’s Hopital – July 2015

Please sign this petition ‘Fund more research into brain tumours, the biggest cancer killer in the under 40’s’ – Thank you

Our little super hero Jacob is now selling aprons to raise money for the charities that have helped us since his diagnosis, and to set up a 'fighting fund' for Jacob so we can look at other treatment options elsewhere to help him.

We need to raise national awareness of the common signs and symptoms of a brain tumour in children and young people by equipping parents, the public and healthcare professionals with information they need. This is achieved through the distribution of symptom cards and posters to raise awareness of symptoms, and the promotion of a clinical guideline and training module for health professionals.

Every day 25 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour - that's over 9,300 people every year. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s, including children. Survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years - just 19% of people survive for 5 years or more.