A family desperately in need.

In constant pain now.

Spend alot of time in bed.

Have to be dragged out of the house.

Cant go out in the sun, for multiple health reasons.

Cant fully enjoy my family.

Have had to suspend my Degree for the year.

Go on a benefit.

Broken.

Having to fight for a resolution. Having to Fight for Sanity.

Two years ago we were an average couple with a tremendous family and excellent prospects.

One and a half years ago, thanks to the direct actions and indirect actions of the Neurosurgical department at Wellington hospital, we became a barely functioning clan. Tied by Love and Care for our little family, but strained, stressed, pulled, and tortured by the indifference of a collection very arrogant and desensitised men.

I had had a run of severe head pain out of the blue. Went to the doctor, he was also curious as to the cause being my shunt. Flown to Wellington neurosurgery for investigation, it was determined to be a shunt valve malfunction. Little neurosurgery, a new valve and I am and out. Feeling very unwell, more than the surgery should be inflicting. The coming hours are filled with excruciating pain, constant vomiting, and incoherence. Again pain relief has no effect.

Hours later an x-ray determines the tube is kinked below my collarbone. It had recoiled after the surgeon let go once he had connected the new system. Rushed to surgery, Error corrected, feeling human. Sore from the surgery, but a lot better than it was before. (Not hard). Released. Went home, many trips back to Wellington to get it looked at. It did not feel right. Many phone calls, emails, and plea's. Little response.

I have had to stop working, cant attend school, I did try.

One year ago, I had just embarked on a new year as a student studying something that was enriching me and brightening prospects for us all. Because of the state of my head, and the toll it had taken on me personally, and our unit as a whole, I had to work twice, three times as hard at completing papers. This was no onerous duty as I love my family, and I thoroughly enjoyed school and all the different elements at school.

Tutors, staff, students and friends. 1st class.

Life was showing a slight improvement and we settle into a mostly functional life. Me experiencing daily pain, and a huge alteration to my personality, and psychology.

Still no movement or assistance from any government department that should help us.

Including the hospital.

Last words I heard from my original surgeon was "he wished he never touched me".

Six odd months ago, excuse slight time inaccuracies, The candle of hope flared as we were given a new surgeon (#2). This ended better at the start. After having a wire protruding from my forehead, connected to a monitoring device at all times, returned readings of 20-30 in the negative pressure (Running dry) consistently. A normal level is, correct me if I am wrong, between 10-20 in the positive pressure.

I was told to go away for 6 weeks and they would see me in a clinic in 6 weeks. Discuss what to do.

The day after release I am back in A&E, after being turned away at the ward I had just been released from. Writhing in extreme pain, vomiting, eyes rolling back. Having no relief from any pain meds.

Admitted to the ward, again ( getting to know the staff well ), When eventually coherency had returned, but the pain had not subsided I am told to be put at a Five-degree down angle, Head down, on my stomach. Confined to bed for 11-12 days, Then another 24 hours being sat up slowly in increments.

The decision is made to do a shunt revision. Turns out the shunt valve was faulty, free-flowing, no resistance. 1-2 days later I am out, literally on the street outside the hospital. My return to Napier through the hospital system was to be undertaken in a public bus, via taxi 5-6 hours drive in a bus I'd say. I had just had rather taxing neurosurgery. I called Sonya, she had a room booked for me at a hotel Copthorne Hotel, Wellington quick smart. 1st class place to stay.

I request the bus ticket cancelled. Because I cancelled the bus ticket, they cancelled the accompanying taxi. I had hoped to take that to the hotel instead. I had no wallet, no money, no credit on my phone, running on free hospital WiFi.

No idea what to do.

Thankfully the staff at the main desk of the hospital dug up $20 and made sure it was enough to get there. To Good.

The ward was no help. Not because the individual staff would not, but because they could not help.

Not sure where we are heading,

Surgery pain goes away. Quickly replaced with a different a new type of pain. Effects of previous issues amplified. The familiar cycle of a condescending mouthing of words from the hospital about give it time, your body has to adapt begins.

Complete a rather successful semester at school, an A average over the year.

End of January and I have the pleasure of another stay at Wellington hospital. On first names with the staff, even getting to know their personal lives. Not too worried, expecting a fairly quick resolution because of the relationship I thought I was building with my new surgeon, he had seen my head in all its glory. Damned thing. Have a new surgeon, #3. New surgeon = Groundhog day for us.

In the twelve days I was there I saw him but once. Many valve adjustments, done with a non-intrusive magnet. This time only about 5 hours of excruciating pain, vomiting, and incoherence The shunt is changed back lower 1 step from where it was originally. Me still in nearly constant pain, taking painkiller as soon as I could, it having little effect. I keep telling them it is better than it was but its still not working properly. I am told again my body needs to adjust, Blah Blah Blah. Sent home.