I skipped over some of things that happened during the time she was there fighting this infection. She had therapy to teach her how to eat again it, seems she forgot since she was getting it all through an IV. She also had to have some physical therapy because she was 3 months old and wasn't holding her head up. Within a week of bringing her home and working with her, she was doing everything she was suppose to at that age.

I also skipped over the fact that there was a lot of prayer going on for her. Not only from, her family, but from a lot of churches in our neighborhood. Our pastor spread the word for us and I was amazed to learn the extent of the people that were praying for our little girl. Our church choir sings a song called "Gods Wonderful People". I think of that song, when I think of those people that prayed.
And the happy ending (well so far) to our story is that Arielle is now four and a half years old. She has no problems mentally or physically. Arielle is on her second shunt still, and we are hoping and praying that it doesn't have any malfunctions or has to be lengthend anytime soon. Arielle is doing everything that most four year olds do. She is in daycare three (two, now that I have switched my schedule at school to two days a week) days a week. She changes clothes constantly. Arielle loves playing with her barbies or baby dolls, she also likes to help mommy and/or daddy cook. She plays and fights with her brother. And she has fallen on her head (but no problem), numerous times. She had the chicken pox when she was seven months old, and we had no problems other than the normal stuff that goes with chicken pox. We allow Arielle to be as active as she wants to be, and believe me she takes full advantage of this. We couldn't stop her if we tried. We don't hold her back because of what might happen, people are amazed that I am so relaxed about it, when I tell them her story. But she is as normal as any other child and to treat her differently would be an injustice to her.


For the photos and captions part of our journey click here:

Please sign the guestbook, THANKS :)



I wasn't going to add links because I wanted to keep this page free of them, but I have since changed my mind. I think this is a good one for those of you that got here through other means. Hydrocephalus Guest Book
in this book you will find people with varied stories on hydrocephalus. It is very informative and has helped me in a lot of ways.

© Trudy November 9, 1997

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