Signs to Know That My Vp Shunt Is Working Again

This guide will help you go prepare for your surgery to have your programmable or nonprogrammable ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placed at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). It will also aid you sympathise what to look during your recovery.

Read through this guide at least once earlier your surgery and use it every bit a reference in the days leading up to your surgery.

Bring this guide with you every fourth dimension yous come to MSK, including the twenty-four hour period of your surgery. Yous and your healthcare team will refer to it throughout your care.

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Nigh Your Surgery

A VP shunt is used to drain extra cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from your brain. CSF is the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord. It's made in the ventricles (hollow spaces) inside your brain.

CSF protects your brain and spinal cord by acting equally a absorber. However, when you have too much of it, it puts pressure on your brain and skull. Actress CSF fluid tin can be caused by different things, such every bit a brain tumor or it can exist present when you're born. This actress fluid also makes your ventricles grow bigger (run into Figure 1). This is called hydrocephalus (hy-dro-ceph-a-lus).

Figure 1. Brain without and with hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus

The well-nigh common symptoms of hydrocephalus include:

• Headache
• Fatigue (feeling more tired or weak than usual), drowsiness (not able to stay awake or focus), or both
• Nausea (feeling similar you're going to throw upwardly) and vomiting (throwing up)
• Irritability (feeling angrier than usual)
• Problems with thinking and memory, such as confusion
• Trouble with balance and walking
• Not being able to control when you urinate (pee)

VP shunt

To assist drain the extra CSF from your brain, a VP shunt will be placed into your head. The VP shunt works by taking the fluid out of your brain and moving information technology into your abdomen (belly), where it's captivated by your torso. This lowers the pressure level and swelling in your brain.

Figure ii. VP shunt

A VP shunt has 3 parts (meet Figure 2):

• A one-way valve with a reservoir.
• A brusk catheter (thin, flexible tube)
• A long catheter

The valve controls the flow of CSF fluid. It's attached on one finish to the short catheter then it can drain the fluid away from your encephalon. The curt catheter can be placed in the front end, back, or side of your caput.

The reservoir collects a small corporeality of CSF which your doctor can use to sample your CSF for tests if needed.

The long catheter is attached to the other finish of the valve. The long catheter is placed nether your pare, backside your ear, downward your cervix, and into your abdomen.

As the VP shunt drains actress CSF and lessens the pressure level in your brain, it may ease some of your symptoms. Some symptoms will finish right after the VP shunt is inserted. Others will go away more slowly, sometimes over a few weeks.

The amount of fluid that's tuckered past your VP shunt depends on the settings on the shunt. If you have nonprogrammable VP shunt, your dr. will program the settings in advance and they can't be changed. If you have a programmable VP shunt, the settings can exist changed by your doctor if needed.

Your doctor volition make up one's mind which type of VP shunt is best for you.

VP shunt surgery

Your VP shunt surgery will take identify in the operating room while you're comatose.

The surgery will take most one hour.

Once you're asleep, the physician volition shave off some pilus near the area where they'll make the incision (surgical cut) on your head. Your entire caput won't be shaved.

Your md will make three small-scale incisions: i in your head, 1 in your neck, and 1 in your abdomen. These incisions will help guide the catheter so it can exist placed correctly. The medico volition close the incisions with stitches or staples.

Yous won't be able to see the catheter because it will be nether your pare. Even so, you lot may be able to feel the shunt catheter forth your neck.

Once all the parts of the shunt are connected, it volition start draining the excess CSF as needed to reduce the pressure in your brain.

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Before Your Surgery

The data in this section will help you get ready for your surgery. Read this department when your surgery is scheduled and refer to it as your surgery appointment gets closer. Information technology has important information nigh what you demand to do before your surgery.

As you read through this section, write downwardly any questions you want to ask your healthcare provider.

Getting gear up for your surgery

You and your intendance team will work together to become ready for your surgery.

Help united states of america go on you condom during your surgery by telling us if any of the following statements apply to y'all, even if you're not certain.

• I take a blood thinner, such as:
  • Aspirin
  • Heparin
  • Warfarin (Jantoven^® or Coumadin^®)
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix^®)
  • Enoxaparin (Lovenox^®)
  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa^®)
  • Apixaban (Eliquis^®)
  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto^®)
  There are others, so be sure your healthcare provider knows all the medications you're taking.
• I take prescription medications (medications my healthcare provider prescribes), including patches and creams.
• I have over-the-counter medications (medications I buy without a prescription), including patches and creams.
• I take dietary supplements, such equally herbs, vitamins, minerals, or natural or dwelling remedies.
• I have a pacemaker, automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD), or other heart device.
• I have sleep apnea.
• I've had a problem with anesthesia (medication to brand me sleep during surgery) in the past.
• I'm allergic to certain medication(s) or materials, including latex.
• I'thou not willing to receive a claret transfusion.
• I drink booze.
• I fume or use an electronic smoking device (such as a vape pen, due east-cigarette, or Juul^®).
• I apply recreational drugs.

Most drinking booze

The amount of alcohol y'all drinkable can bear on you during and afterward your surgery. Information technology's important to talk with your healthcare providers nearly how much alcohol you drink. This will help us program your care.

• If you stop drinking alcohol suddenly, it can crusade seizures, delirium, and death. If we know yous're at risk for these complications, we tin can prescribe medications to help keep them from happening.
• If you drinkable booze regularly, you may exist at risk for other complications during and later your surgery. These include bleeding, infections, heart problems, and a longer hospital stay.

Hither are things you lot can exercise before your surgery to keep from having bug:

• Be honest with your healthcare providers almost how much alcohol you beverage.
• Attempt to stop drinking alcohol once your surgery is planned. If you develop a headache, nausea (feeling like you're going to throw up), increased anxiety, or cannot slumber afterward you cease drinking, tell your healthcare provider right away. These are early signs of alcohol withdrawal and tin be treated.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you cannot stop drinking.
• Ask your healthcare provider questions about drinking and surgery. As always, all of your medical information will exist kept confidential.

About smoking

If you smoke, y'all tin can have animate problems when you have surgery. Stopping even for a few days before surgery can help. Your healthcare provider will refer you to our Tobacco Treatment Plan if yous smoke. You can also reach the program by calling 212-610-0507.

Most sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a common animate disorder that causes yous to stop breathing for short periods of time while sleeping. The most mutual type is obstructive slumber apnea (OSA). With OSA, your airway becomes completely blocked during sleep. OSA can cause serious problems during and later surgery.

Please tell us if you have slumber apnea or if you call up yous might accept it. If y'all utilise a breathing device (such equally a CPAP device) for slumber apnea, bring it with you the day of your surgery.

Within thirty days of your surgery

Presurgical Testing (PST)

Before your surgery, you'll have an date for presurgical testing (PST). The date, time, and location will exist printed on the appointment reminder from your surgeon'south office. Information technology's helpful to bring the following things to your PST appointment:

• A listing of all the medications you're taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, patches, and creams.
• Results of any tests done outside of MSK, such as a cardiac stress test, echocardiogram, or carotid doppler report.
• The name(s) and telephone number(due south) of your healthcare provider(southward).

You can eat and take your usual medications the twenty-four hours of your appointment.

During your PST date, you'll meet with a nurse practitioner (NP). They piece of work closely with anesthesiology staff (specialized healthcare providers who will give you anesthesia during your surgery). Your NP will review your medical and surgical history with you. Yous may have tests, such every bit an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your center rhythm, a chest 10-ray, blood tests, and whatsoever other tests needed to plan your care. Your NP may also recommend that you see other healthcare providers.

Your NP will talk with you lot about which medications you should take the morning time of your surgery.

Identify your caregiver

Your caregiver plays an of import role in your care. Before your surgery, you and your caregiver will learn almost your surgery from your healthcare providers. After your surgery, your caregiver volition take you habitation when you're discharged from the infirmary. They'll likewise help you care for yourself at home.

For caregivers

‌Resources and support are bachelor to help manage the responsibilities that come with caring for a person going through cancer treatment. For back up resource and information, visit www.mskcc.org/caregivers or read A Guide for Caregivers.

Consummate a Health Care Proxy form

If you accept not already filled out a Health Care Proxy form, we recommend you practise now. If you lot've already filled one out or have any other advance directives, bring them to your next appointment.

A health care proxy is a legal document that identifies the person who will speak for yous if you cannot communicate for yourself. The person you place is called your health care agent.

Talk with your healthcare provider if yous're interested in completing a health care proxy. You can also read Advance Intendance Planning and How to Be a Health Care Amanuensis for information most wellness care proxies, other advance directives, and beingness a health care amanuensis.

Practice breathing and coughing exercises

Practice taking deep breaths and coughing earlier your surgery. Your healthcare provider will requite you an incentive spirometer to help expand your lungs. For more than information, read How to Use Your Incentive Spirometer.

Exercise

Try to exercise aerobic exercise every twenty-four hour period. Aerobic do is any exercise that makes your heart beat out faster, such equally walking, swimming, or biking. If it's cold exterior, utilize stairs in your home or go to a mall or shopping center. Exercising will help your body become into its all-time status for your surgery and brand your recovery faster and easier.

Follow a healthy nutrition

Follow a well-balanced, salubrious diet before your surgery. If you need aid with your nutrition, talk with your healthcare provider about coming together with a clinical dietitian nutritionist.

Tell united states if you're sick

If you develop any disease (such equally a fever, common cold, sore throat, or the flu) earlier your surgery, phone call the doctor who scheduled your surgery. This includes .

7 days before your surgery

Follow your healthcare provider'southward instructions for taking aspirin

If you take aspirin or a medication that contains aspirin, you may need to change your dose or end taking information technology 7 days earlier your surgery. Aspirin can crusade bleeding.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Do not finish taking aspirin unless they tell you to. For more information, read Mutual Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin E.

Finish taking vitamin Eastward, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements

End taking vitamin E, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements 7 days before your surgery. These things can crusade bleeding. For more than information, read Herbal Remedies and Cancer Treatment.

2 days earlier your surgery

Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Finish taking NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil^® and Motrin^®) and naproxen (Aleve^®), 2 days before your surgery. These medications can cause bleeding. For more information, read Common Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin Eastward.

i solar day before your surgery

Note the time of your surgery

A staff member from the Albeit Office volition call y'all afterwards 2 p.yard. the twenty-four hours before your surgery. If your surgery is scheduled for a Monday, they'll phone call you on the Friday before. If you practise not become a call by seven p.m., phone call 212-639-5014.

The staff member will tell you what time to get in at the infirmary for your surgery. They'll too remind you where to get.

This will be the following location:

Presurgical Center (PSC) on the 6^thursday floor
1275 York Avenue (betwixt East 67^th and Due east 68^th Streets)
New York, NY 10065
B elevator to 6^th floor

Slumber

Go to bed early and get a full night's slumber.

Instructions for eating and drinking before your surgery

Practise not eat or drink later on midnight.

The morning of your surgery

Take your medications equally instructed

If your healthcare provider told you to take certain medications the forenoon of your surgery, accept merely those medications with a sip of h2o. Depending on what medications you lot take, this may exist all, some, or none of your usual morning medications.

Shower

Shower and launder your hair with baby shampoo the morn of your surgery. Don't utilise conditioner or whatsoever other hair products such as hair spray or pilus gel. Later on showering, don't put on any balm, foam, deodorant, makeup, powder, perfume, or cologne.

Things to call back

• Article of clothing something comfortable and loose-fitting.
• If yous wearable contact lenses, wear your glasses instead. Wearing contact lenses during surgery can harm your optics.
• Don't wear any metal objects. Remove all jewelry, including trunk piercings. The equipment used during your surgery can cause burns if it touches metal.
• Don't put on any balm, cream, deodorant, makeup, powder, perfume, or cologne.
• Leave valuable items (such as credit cards, jewelry, and your checkbook) at dwelling.
• If y'all're menstruating (accept your monthly period), use a sanitary pad, not a tampon. You'll go dispensable underwear, as well as a pad if needed.

What to bring

• Your animate device for sleep apnea (such as your CPAP device), if you take i.
• Your incentive spirometer, if you have 1.
• Your Health Care Proxy course and other advance directives, if y'all completed them.
• Your cell telephone and charger.
• Merely the money you may want for pocket-sized purchases (such as a paper).
• A case for your personal items (such as eyeglasses, hearing help(southward), dentures, prosthetic device(southward), wig, and religious articles), if you lot have one.
• This guide. Your healthcare team will use it to teach you how to care for yourself after surgery.

Where to park

MSK'due south parking garage is on Due east 66^th Street betwixt York and one^st avenues. If y'all have questions about prices, call 212-639-2338.

To accomplish the garage, plough onto E 66^th Street from York Avenue. The garage is virtually a quarter of a block in from York Avenue. It's on the right (due north) side of the street. There's a tunnel you can walk through that connects the garage to the hospital.

At that place are other parking garages located on:

• E 69^th Street between 1^st and ii^nd avenues
• East 67^thursday Street between York and one^st avenues
• East 65^th Street between 1^st and 2^nd avenues

One time you're in the hospital

When you lot go to the hospital, take the B lift to the 6^th floor and check in at the desk in the PSC waiting room.

You'll be asked to say and spell your name and birth date many times. This is for your condom. People with the same or a similar name may exist having surgery on the aforementioned day.

Get dressed for surgery

When it'southward fourth dimension to change for surgery, you'll get a infirmary gown, robe, and nonskid socks to clothing.

Meet with a nurse

You'll meet with a nurse before surgery. Tell them the dose of any medications you took after midnight (including prescription and over-the-counter medications, patches, and creams) and the fourth dimension you took them.

Your nurse may identify an intravenous (Iv) line in one of your veins, commonly in your arm or hand. If your nurse does not identify the IV, your anesthesiologist will do information technology in the operating room.

Run across with an anesthesiologist

You'll likewise meet with an anesthesiologist before surgery. They will:

• Review your medical history with you.
• Ask yous if you've had any problems with anesthesia in the past, including nausea or pain.
• Talk with y'all about your comfort and safety during your surgery.
• Talk with you about the kind of anesthesia you'll become.
• Answer your questions near your anesthesia.

Get set for your surgery

When information technology's time for your surgery, you lot'll need to remove your hearing aids, dentures, prosthetic devices, wig, and religious articles, if you lot have them.

You lot'll either walk into the operating room or a staff member will bring y'all there a stretcher. A member of the operating room squad volition help you onto the operating bed and place compression boots on your lower legs. These gently inflate and debunk to help blood menstruum in your legs.

Once you lot're comfortable, your anesthesiologist volition give y'all anesthesia through your Four line and y'all'll fall asleep. You'll also get fluids through your 4 line during and after your surgery.

During Your Surgery

Later you're fully asleep, a animate tube volition be placed through your mouth and into your windpipe to help you lot breathe. A urinary (Foley) catheter will as well be placed to bleed urine (pee) from your bladder.

Once your surgery is finished, your incision will exist closed with staples or sutures (stitches). Information technology may be covered with a bandage.

Your animate tube is commonly taken out while yous're still in the operating room.

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Afterwards Your Surgery

The information in this section will tell you what to expect after your surgery, both during your hospital stay and after you leave the hospital. Y'all'll learn how to safely recover from your surgery.

Equally yous read through this section, write down any questions you want to inquire your healthcare provider.

In the Mail-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

When yous wake upward subsequently your surgery, you'll exist in the PACU. A nurse will exist keeping rails of your body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. You may be getting oxygen through a thin tube that rests below your olfactory organ or a mask that covers your nose and oral fissure. You'll also accept compression boots on your lower legs.

Pain medication

While you're in the PACU, your pain will be managed with medications.

Moving to your hospital room

Once y'all recover from the anesthesia, a staff member will take you lot to your infirmary room. The length of time y'all'll stay in the PACU may also depend on when your hospital bed is ready for you.

In your hospital room

The length of fourth dimension you're in the hospital subsequently your surgery depends on your recovery. Most people stay in the hospital for one to 2 days.

When yous're taken to your infirmary room, y'all'll meet one of the nurses who will care for you while y'all're in the hospital. While you're in the hospital, your nurses will teach yous how to intendance for yourself while you're recovering from your surgery.

For the starting time few days subsequently your surgery, your nurses volition practise simple tests to make certain your brain is working well. They'll practice things such as:

• Inquire y'all questions such as where you are and what fourth dimension of solar day it is.
• Ask you to move your arms and legs.
• Smooth a modest light into your eyes to check the response of your pupils.

Read the resources Call! Don't Fall! to larn about what you can do to stay safe and keep from falling while you're in the hospital.

Managing your pain

You may have a mild headache or feel discomfort around your incision for the get-go few days afterward your surgery.

At kickoff, you'll become pain medication in your Four line. One time yous're able to eat normal food, yous'll get oral hurting medication (medication you swallow).

Your healthcare providers volition enquire you lot well-nigh your pain frequently and give you medication as needed. If your pain isn't relieved, tell 1 of your healthcare providers. It's important to control your pain so you can use your incentive spirometer and move around. Controlling your pain volition assistance you recover better.

Y'all'll get a prescription for hurting medication earlier you leave the infirmary. Talk with your healthcare provider about possible side furnishings and when to start switching to over-the-counter hurting medications.

Moving effectually and walking

Moving around and walking will help lower your take a chance for claret clots and pneumonia (lung infection). Information technology will also help you lot start passing gas and having bowel movements (pooping) over again. Your nurse, physical therapist, or occupational therapist will help you move around, if needed.

Read Frequently Asked Questions About Walking Afterwards Your Surgery to learn more nearly how walking after surgery tin can help yous recover.

Read Call! Don't Fall! to learn what you can practice to stay safety and continue from falling while you're in the hospital.

Exercising your lungs

It'due south important to exercise your lungs so they aggrandize fully. This helps forbid pneumonia.

• Use your incentive spirometer ten times every 60 minutes you're awake. For more information, read How to Apply Your Incentive Spirometer.
• Do coughing and deep breathing exercises. A member of your care team volition teach you how.

Eating and drinking

Y'all'll be given water ice fries to consume afterwards your surgery. Y'all'll commencement with a liquid diet and so you can get-go eating your normal foods again, every bit tolerated.

If you take questions about your diet, ask to see a clinical dietitian nutritionist.

Imaging browse

To make sure your shunt is in the right identify, you lot may have a computed tomography (CT) scan (imaging browse) of your caput 1 to 2 days after your surgery. Your nurse will give yous more data most the browse before it's washed.

Caring for your incision

Yous'll have bandages over your incision. Your doctor will take them off one to 2 days later on your surgery. Subsequently that, you tin leave them uncovered. Don't become your incision wet, and don't put any lotions, creams or powders on it for 5 days after your surgery.

Planning for your discharge

A physical therapist will work with yous before you leave the hospital and assist make up one's mind if you need help at home, such as special medical equipment or a habitation care nurse. If needed, your case manager will work with you lot to arrange for dwelling house intendance visits after you're discharged from the infirmary.

A caregiver should help you at home for a few days later your surgery while you recover.

Leaving the hospital

By the time you're ready to leave the hospital, your incision will take started to heal. Before you go out the hospital, expect at your incision with your nurse. Knowing what your incision looks like volition assist you detect whatever changes later.

On the mean solar day of your discharge, you should program to exit the hospital around 11:00 a.chiliad. Before you lot leave, your doctor will write your discharge order and prescriptions. You lot'll besides become written belch instructions. Your nurse will review these instructions with you before you go out.

If your ride isn't at the hospital when you're ready to be discharged, you may be able to wait in the Patient Transition Lounge. A member of your healthcare team will give you more information.

At home

Read the resource What You Can Do to Avoid Falling to learn about what you lot can do to stay safe and keep from falling at home and during your appointments at MSK.

Managing your pain

People have pain or discomfort for different lengths of time. Y'all may still accept some pain when you go habitation and will probably be taking pain medication. Some people take soreness, tightness, or muscle aches around their incision for 6 months or longer. This doesn't mean that something is incorrect.

Follow the guidelines below to help manage your pain at habitation.

• Take your medications every bit directed and as needed.
• Call your healthcare provider if the medication prescribed for you lot does not ease your pain.
• Do not bulldoze or drink alcohol while you're taking prescription pain medication. Some prescription hurting medications can make you lot drowsy. Alcohol can make the drowsiness worse.
• As your incision heals, you'll accept less pain and need less pain medication. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) or ibuprofen (Advil^® or Motrin^®) will ease aches and discomfort.
  • Follow your healthcare provider'south instructions for stopping your prescription pain medication.
  • Do not take more of whatever medication than the amount directed on the label or every bit instructed by your healthcare provider.
  • Read the labels on all the medications yous're taking, specially if yous're taking acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is an ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription medications. Taking besides much can damage your liver. Exercise not take more than than one medication that contains acetaminophen without talking with a member of your intendance team.
• Pain medication should help y'all resume your normal activities. Take plenty medication to do your activities and exercises comfortably. It's normal for your hurting to increment a niggling every bit you lot offset to be more than active.
• Proceed track of when you have your pain medication. It works best 30 to 45 minutes after you accept information technology. Taking it when you first take pain is better than waiting for the pain to get worse.

Pain medication may cause constipation (having fewer bowel movements than what's normal for you).

Caring for your incisions

• Check your incisions daily for whatsoever signs of infection, including redness, swelling, or drainage.
• Keep your incisions make clean and dry for 5 days after your surgery. Don't shower for 5 days after your surgery. Avoid baths, hot tubs, and swimming pools until your medico tells you it's okay.
• Don't employ a pilus dryer, creams, ointment, or pilus products on your incisions until they're completely healed. This takes almost 6 weeks.

It'southward normal for the peel below your incisions to feel numb. This happens because some of your fretfulness were cut during your surgery. The numbness volition go abroad over time.

Call your healthcare provider if:

• The skin around your incisions is very crimson.
• The peel around your incisions is getting more cerise.
• You see drainage that looks like pus (thick and milky).

If you become abode with staples or stitches in your incisions, your medico volition take them out during your outset appointment subsequently surgery. This is usually vii to 10 days afterward your surgery.

Showering

Do non shower for 5 days after your surgery. Yous may take a sponge bath during this time, but don't get your incision wet. Don't use dry shampoo, creams or lotions well-nigh your incisions.

After 5 days, take a shower every day to clean your incision. If you have staples in your incision, it's okay to get them wet.

Use a mild shampoo, such as babe shampoo and soap during your shower.

Afterwards y'all shower, pat the expanse dry with a make clean towel and go out your incision uncovered. Don't put any creams, lotions, or powders on your incision.

Physical activity and practice

When y'all get out the hospital, your incision volition expect like it's healed on the outside, but information technology won't be healed on the inside. For the first 4 to 6 weeks afterwards your surgery:

• Don't lift annihilation heavier than ten pounds (well-nigh 4.v kilograms).
• Don't exercise any strenuous activities (such as jogging and tennis).
• Don't play any contact sports (such as football game).

Doing aerobic exercise, such as walking and stair climbing, will assistance you proceeds strength and feel meliorate. Walk at to the lowest degree 2 to 3 times a mean solar day for 20 to 30 minutes. You can walk outside or indoors at your local mall or shopping center.

Information technology's normal to have less energy than usual after your surgery. Recovery time is different for each person. Increment your activities each twenty-four hour period equally much equally you tin can. Always balance activeness periods with rest periods. Rest is an important part of your recovery.

Driving

Ask your dr. when you can bulldoze. Near people tin get-go driving over again 4 to six weeks after surgery. Don't drive while you're taking pain medication that may make you drowsy. You can ride in a car every bit a passenger at any time after you go out the hospital.

Going back to work

Talk with your healthcare provider about your task and when it may be safe for you to start working again. If your job involves lots of movement or heavy lifting, you may need to stay out a little longer than if you sit down at a desk.

Traveling

You can travel by bus, train or car. Don't travel on an aeroplane until your doctor says it's okay.

When traveling a long altitude, don't sit down for long periods of time. End every 2 hours and walk around. This will help keep blood clots from forming in your legs.

Managing your feelings

After surgery for a serious illness, y'all may have new and upsetting feelings. Many people say they felt weepy, sad, worried, nervous, irritable, and aroused at i time or another. You lot may notice that you cannot control some of these feelings. If this happens, it's a proficient thought to seek emotional support. Your healthcare provider can refer you to MSK'southward Counseling Center. You lot tin can also reach them by calling 646-888-0200.

The first step in coping is to talk almost how yous feel. Family and friends can aid. Your healthcare providers can reassure, back up, and guide you. It's always a good idea to let us know how you, your family, and your friends are feeling emotionally. Many resource are available to y'all and your family. Whether you're in the hospital or at dwelling house, we're here to help you and your family and friends handle the emotional aspects of your affliction.

Using MyMSK

MyMSK (my.mskcc.org) is your MSK patient portal business relationship. You can employ MyMSK to send and receive letters from your intendance squad, view your examination results, encounter your appointment dates and times, and more. You tin can as well invite your caregiver to create their own account so they tin run across information about your care.

If you lot practise non accept a MyMSK account, y'all tin can visit my.mskcc.org, call 646-227-2593, or call your physician'southward office for an enrollment ID to sign up. You tin also sentinel our video How to Enroll in MyMSK: Memorial Sloan Kettering's Patient Portal. For aid, contact the MyMSK Help Desk past emailing mymsk@mskcc.org or calling 800-248-0593.

Going dorsum to your normal activities

You can go back to doing your normal activities when your doctor tells yous it'south okay. If you lot plan to practise, enquire your doctor if information technology'southward safe.

Yous'll then accept regular visits with your neurologist, neurosurgeon, or both. They'll bank check on the role of your VP shunt over fourth dimension.

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Safety Precautions for Your VP Shunt

Precautions with magnets

The pressure setting of some VP shunts may accidentally change if yous go too shut to a magnet. This depends on the VP shunt model.

Enquire your doctor if you lot need to take precautions (safe measures) when coming into contact with magnets. Be certain to follow the VP shunt manufacturer's guidelines for magnet precautions specific for your type of shunt. Your medico volition go over these guidelines with y'all.

Hither are some general rules for many shunts:

• Proceed all products with magnets at to the lowest degree 2 inches away from the valve implant site (your head).
• Don't use magnetic therapy pads and pillows.

Precautions with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

If you need to take magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), you must tell your MRI technologist that you have a VP shunt before yous have the test. Your technologist will need to know the model of your shunt and its setting.

Your nurse will requite yous a wallet bill of fare with this information. Deport it with you at all times. Yous tin prove your technologist the wallet bill of fare.

Depending on the type of VP shunt you accept, the magnet in the MRI motorcar may change your shunt's force per unit area setting. In this case, after your MRI, the pressure setting will demand to be checked and may need to be reprogrammed past your medico or nurse practitioner. In some cases, y'all may need to have ten-rays to observe out if the pressure setting has changed.

Some types of VP shunts aren't affected by MRI. Enquire your doctor or nurse if your shunt volition demand to be reprogrammed after an MRI. No affair what blazon of VP shunt you have, yous won't need to accept whatsoever precautions if you're having a computed tomography (CT) scan, positron emission tomography (PET) browse, or an x-ray.

If your VP shunt needs to be reprogrammed after you have an MRI, you must schedule an engagement with your doctor or nurse to reprogram your VP shunt after your MRI.Your shunt should be reprogrammed within 4 hours after your MRI.

Precautions for abdominal surgery

If you ever need to accept abdominal surgery, yous must tell your doctor then that precautions can exist taken. Tell your doctor if you lot have peritonitis (a condition in which the tissue that covers your abdomen is inflamed) or diverticulitis (a status in which minor, bulging pouches develop in the intestines or colon) and you need emergency surgery or antibiotics..

MedicAlert® jewelry

You should always wear a MedicAlert^® bracelet or necklace that says you accept hydrocephalus and a VP shunt. If yous're e'er very sick or hurt and need medical help, MedicAlert jewelry volition let emergency service workers know about your VP shunt.

You can purchase this type of bracelet or necklace at most drug stores. For more data, visit the MedicAlert^® website at: world wide web.medicalert.org.

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When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the post-obit signs and symptoms that your VP shunt isn't working properly:

• Vomiting with trivial or no nausea
• A constant headache that won't get away
• Problems with your vision (eyesight) (blurry vision, double vision, or loss of vision)
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Loss of coordination or balance
• Swelling, redness, or both, of the peel that runs along the shunt path
• Difficulty waking up or staying awake

Call your healthcare provider if yous have signs and symptoms of a VP shunt infection.

A VP shunt infection can happen when bacteria infect the tissue around your VP shunt. When the tissue is infected, it can cause your VP shunt to stop working properly and increase force per unit area in your brain.

The signs and symptoms of a VP shunt infection include:

• A fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or college
• Redness, swelling, or both, of the skin that runs along the shunt path
• Pain around the shunt or around the shunt catheter from the head to the abdomen

These warning signs tin happen rapidly. If any of these symptoms develop, telephone call your doctor or nurse immediately.

On Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to five:00 p.m., contact your healthcare provider.

Afterwards v:00 p.m., during the weekend, and on holidays, phone call 212-639-2000 and inquire to speak to the person on phone call for your healthcare provider.

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Back up Services

This section has a list of back up services that may help you get ready for your surgery and recover safely.

Equally y'all read through this section, write downwardly any questions you want to ask your healthcare provider.

MSK back up services

Visit the Cancer Types section of world wide web.mskcc.org for more information.

Admitting Role
212-639-7606
Call if you have questions about your hospital admission, including requesting a individual room.

Anesthesia
212-639-6840
Call if you accept questions nearly anesthesia.

Blood Donor Room
212-639-7643
Call for information if you're interested in altruistic blood or platelets.

Bobst International Center
888-675-7722
MSK welcomes patients from effectually the world. If yous're an international patient, call for help arranging your care.

Counseling Centre
646-888-0200
Many people find that counseling helps them. Nosotros provide counseling for individuals, couples, families, and groups, likewise as medications to help if you experience broken-hearted or depressed. To make an date, enquire your healthcare provider for a referral or call the number above.

Female Sexual Medicine and Women's Wellness Program
646-888-5076
Cancer and cancer treatments tin accept an bear upon on your sexual wellness. Our Female Sexual Medicine and Women'due south Health Program can aid if you're dealing with cancer-related sexual wellness challenges such as premature menopause or fertility issues. Telephone call for more than information or to make an appointment. We tin assistance yous have action and address sexual health bug earlier, during, or afterwards your handling.

Food Pantry Program
646-888-8055
The nutrient pantry program provides food to people in need during their cancer treatment. For more data, talk with your healthcare provider or call the number in a higher place.

Integrative Medicine Service
646-608-8550
Integrative Medicine Service offers many services to complement (go forth with) traditional medical care, including music therapy, mind/trunk therapies, trip the light fantastic and movement therapy, yoga, and touch therapy.

Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program
646-888-6024
Cancer and cancer treatments can accept an bear upon on your sexual health. Our Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program can help if you're dealing with cancer-related sexual health challenges such as erectile dysfunction (ED). Call for data or to make an appointment. We can help you have action and address sexual health bug before, during, or after your handling.

MSK Library
library.mskcc.org
212-639-7439
You lot can visit our library website or speak with the library reference staff to find more information about your specific cancer type. You can also visit LibGuides on MSK's library website at libguides.mskcc.org

Patient and Caregiver Pedagogy
www.mskcc.org/pe
Visit the Patient and Caregiver Instruction website to search our virtual library. There you can find written educational resources, videos, and online programs.

Patient and Caregiver Peer Back up Programme
212-639-5007
You may find it comforting to speak with someone who has been through a treatment like yours. Yous can talk with a former MSK patient or caregiver through our Patient and Caregiver Peer Support Program. These conversations are confidential. They may take place in person or over the telephone.

Patient Billing
646-227-3378
Phone call if you lot have questions about preauthorization with your insurance company. This is likewise called preapproval.

Patient Representative Office
212-639-7202
Call if y'all have questions about the Health Care Proxy form or if y'all have concerns about your care.

Perioperative Nurse Liaison
212-639-5935
Call if you take questions well-nigh MSK releasing whatever information while yous're having surgery.

Private Duty Nurses and Companions
917-862-6373
You can asking private nurses or companions to care for you in the infirmary and at home. Call for more information.

Resources for Life Afterwards Cancer (RLAC) Program
646-888-8106
At MSK, intendance doesn't end after agile treatment. The RLAC Plan is for patients and their families who have finished treatment. This plan has many services, including seminars, workshops, back up groups, counseling on life after treatment, and help with insurance and employment issues.

Social Piece of work
212-639-7020
Social workers help patients, family, and friends deal with issues that are common for cancer patients. They provide individual counseling and support groups throughout the course of handling and tin help you communicate with children and other family members. Our social workers can also assistance refer yous to customs agencies and programs, as well equally financial resources if you're eligible.

Spiritual Care
212-639-5982
Our chaplains (spiritual counselors) are bachelor to listen, help back up family members, pray, contact community clergy or religion groups, or but be a comforting companion and a spiritual presence. Anyone can request spiritual support, regardless of formal religious affiliation. MSK's interfaith chapel is located almost Memorial Hospital'south primary foyer. It's open up 24 hours a day. If you lot have an emergency, telephone call 212-639-2000. Inquire for the chaplain on call.

Tobacco Handling Program
212-610-0507
If you want to quit smoking, MSK has specialists who tin assist. Call for data.

Virtual Programs
world wide web.mskcc.org/vp
MSK'south Virtual Programs offering online didactics and support for patients and caregivers, even when y'all can't come up to MSK in person. Through live, interactive sessions, you can learn near your diagnosis, what to expect during treatment, and how to gear up for the various stages of your cancer care. Sessions are confidential, free, and led past expert clinical staff. If you're interested in joining a Virtual Program, visit our website at www.mskcc.org/vp for more than information.

External back up services

Access-A-Ride
spider web.mta.info/nyct/paratran/guide.htm
877-337-2017
In New York City, the MTA offers a shared ride, door-to-door service for people with disabilities who tin't take the public bus or subway.

Air Charity Network
www.aircharitynetwork.org
877-621-7177
Provides travel to handling centers.

American Cancer Society (ACS)
www.cancer.org
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
Offers a variety of information and services, including Promise Society, a free place for patients and caregivers to stay during cancer treatment.

Cancer and Careers
www.cancerandcareers.org
A resource for educational activity, tools, and events for employees with cancer.

CancerIntendance
www.cancercare.org
800-813-4673
275 Seventh Avenue (Between West 25^th & 26^thursday Streets)
New York, NY 10001
Provides counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications, and fiscal assist.

Cancer Support Community
www.cancersupportcommunity.org
Provides back up and education to people afflicted past cancer.

Caregiver Activity Network
world wide web.caregiveraction.org
800-896-3650
Provides education and back up for people who care for loved ones with a chronic disease or disability.

Corporate Angel Network
world wide web.corpangelnetwork.org
866-328-1313
Offers free travel to treatment across the land using empty seats on corporate jets.

Gilda's Club
www.gildasclubnyc.org
212-647-9700
A place where men, women, and children living with cancer find social and emotional support through networking, workshops, lectures, and social activities.

Good Days
www.mygooddays.org
877-968-7233
Offers fiscal aid to pay for copayments during treatment. Patients must take medical insurance, meet the income criteria, and be prescribed medication that's part of the Good Days formulary.

Healthwell Foundation
www.healthwellfoundation.org
800-675-8416
Provides financial assistance to cover copayments, wellness intendance premiums, and deductibles for certain medications and therapies.

Joe's House
www.joeshouse.org
877-563-7468
Provides a list of places to stay near treatment centers for people with cancer and their families.

LGBT Cancer Project
http://lgbtcancer.com/
Provides support and advancement for the LGBT community, including online support groups and a database of LGBT-friendly clinical trials.

LIVESTRONG Fertility
www.livestrong.org/we-tin-assist/fertility-services
855-744-7777
Provides reproductive data and support to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments have risks associated with infertility.

Await Practiced Feel Better Plan
www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org
800-395-Expect (800-395-5665)
This program offers workshops to acquire things you tin practise to assistance y'all experience amend about your advent. For more information or to sign upwards for a workshop, call the number above or visit the program's website.

National Cancer Constitute
www.cancer.gov
800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)

National Cancer Legal Services Network
world wide web.nclsn.org
Free cancer legal advancement program.

National LGBT Cancer Network
www.cancer-network.org
Provides teaching, grooming, and advancement for LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk.

Needy Meds
world wide web.needymeds.org
Lists Patient Assist Programs for make and generic name medications.

NYRx
www.nyrxplan.com
Provides prescription benefits to eligible employees and retirees of public sector employers in New York State.

Partnership for Prescription Assist
www.pparx.org
888-477-2669
Helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get gratuitous or low-cost medications.

Patient Access Network Foundation
world wide web.panfoundation.org
866-316-7263
Provides assist with copayments for patients with insurance.

Patient Advocate Foundation
www.patientadvocate.org
800-532-5274
Provides access to care, fiscal assist, insurance help, job retentivity assist, and admission to the national underinsured resource directory.

RxHope
www.rxhope.com
877-267-0517
Provides assistance to help people go medications that they have trouble affording.

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Educational Resource

This section has the educational resource mentioned in this guide. They will assist y'all get ready for your surgery and recover safely afterward surgery.

As yous read through these resources, write downward any questions you lot want to ask your healthcare provider.

• Telephone call! Don't Autumn!
• How to Utilise Your Incentive Spirometer
• What You Tin can Do to Avoid Falling

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Source: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/about-your-ventriculoperitoneal-vp-shunt-surgery

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