When I first got a VP Shunt, I had no idea how much it would help alleviate my chronic symptoms like migraines and fatigue. However, what I didn't anticipate was the effects of a shunt on a person with long hair. Yikes! Read more to learn about hairdos and hair-don'ts of a life with a shunt.

Anyone who suffers from a chronic illness knows that the effects of living life as "the sick kid" reach far beyond what meets the eye. Whether you know exactly what it is or, like me, you receive a new diagnosis every few years because doctors honestly don't know what's wrong with you, the consequences of chronic illness can filter into many different segments of your life, including fertility. 

Anyone who has made the decision to grow their family knows that it is a journey, and sometimes that journey is full of trial and waiting. And chronic illness can definitely exacerbate the issues surrounding the decision to carry naturally! Here is the beginning of our story of trying to conceive, punctuated by the various delicacies of being chronically ill.

Gas pains are well known as one of the most painful but common things that I know of. Anyone can get them at any time and boy can they scare you if you don’t recognize the benign sharpness of them. However, gas pains with a VP shunt is a whole new story!

Miscarriage is hard! The loss rocks your happy world and leaves you lost and broken. But, there is a rainbow after the storm and God helps you recover little by little. Your baby may be gone but the time you spent with them, their existence, and your status as a parent does NOT go away with their passing! No matter how little time you shared with them, they are yours forever! Your child!

I just shared my story with the Hydrocephalus Association to spread awareness for #Hydrocephalus! Read here or see my story live!