Shunts may be small, but their role in our lives is anything but....
Please consult your medical team before making any health decisions.
My story is not medical advice. 💙
From CT's Perspective
Everyone's journey is different - although CT wants to spread awareness on the conditions that have altered her course in life, she is going to share this life from her perspective. This is not used as advice - what worked for her, may not work for someone else. Please ALWAYS consult your doctor or medical team if you are experiencing serious side effects or symptoms. If no one will listen, get another opinion.
Universal Studios With a VP Shunt
Helpful guidance for guests with hydrocephalus or VP shunts visiting Universal Studios, focused on ride awareness, safety, and pacing.
Visiting Disney World With Hydrocephalus
What to know about visiting Disney World with hydrocephalus or a VP shunt, including pacing, heat, sensory overload, and accessibility tips.
Partial Complex Seizures, Hydrocephalus, and TBI: Understanding the Connection
Exploring how partial complex seizures connect to hydrocephalus, epilepsy, shunt malfunction, and traumatic brain injury.
You're Not Weak—You're Navigating a Neurological Condition
A reminder every shunt warrior needs to hear.
Traveling With a VP Shunt: What to Know Before You Go
Practical, safety-aware travel tips for shunted patients.
Life After Multiple Brain Surgeries: Recovery Isn't Linear
Healing after repeated neurosurgeries takes time—and compassion.
Emergency Symptoms Shunt Patients Should Never Ignore
When to go to the ER—and when to trust your instincts.
Mental Health & Hydrocephalus: The Connection No One Talks About
Exploring the link between hydrocephalus and mental health, including anxiety, depression, medical trauma, and emotional regulation in shunted patients.
Shunt Headaches vs. Migraines: How to Tell the Difference
Not all headaches are the same—and knowing the difference can be critical.
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Living With a VP Shunt: What Doctors Don't Always Tell You
The everyday realities of life with a shunt—beyond surgery and scans.
Signs of a Shunt Malfunction (Adults & Teens)
Subtle and not-so-subtle symptoms of VP shunt malfunction that are often ignored or misdiagnosed.
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When Grey's Anatomy Hits Close to Home
Grey’s Anatomy isn’t just my comfort show — it’s a mirror to my own medical journey.
Alcohol and Hydrocephalus: What You Should Know Before You Sip
Wondering if it's safe to drink alcohol with hydrocephalus or a VP shunt? Learn the risks, benefits, and why moderation—and a chat with your doctor—matters.
Shunt 101: What Is a Shunt and Why Do We Have Them?
A beginner-friendly breakdown of what a shunt actually is, how it works, and what it means to live with one—written in plain English, with some real talk mixed in.
Signs Your Shunt Might Be Acting Up (And When to Call Your Doctor)
Headaches? Nausea? Feeling ‘off’? This post dives into common symptoms of shunt malfunction or infection—what to watch for and how to advocate for yourself when something doesn’t feel right.
What Is Hydrocephalus? Living With a Brain That's Constantly Rebooting
Ever wonder what it’s like to live with a brain that needs plumbing? I break down hydrocephalus in real talk—with humor, hope, and hard truths.
Living With a Shunt: Tips for Everyday Life (From Someone Who Gets It)
Daily hacks and life lessons for navigating the ups and downs of life with a shunt—like managing fatigue, pressure changes, appointments, and everything in between.
Gaming With a Shunt: How I Built a Seizure-Safe Streaming Setup
Chronic illness won’t stop my controller. Here’s how I created a safe, neurodivergent-friendly Twitch setup and community—chaos and kindness included.
Flying With a Shunt: What You Should Know Before You Board
Can we fly with a shunt? Will altitude affect it? What about TSA? This travel-focused post gives reassurance, real experience, and helpful tips for navigating the airport with hydrocephalus.
The Diagnosis Came—But So Did the Adventures
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After multiple brain surgeries, I found myself starting over in every sense of the word—learning to walk, heal, and rebuild. Somewhere between frustration and faith, I decided to take control of my story instead of letting it control me. Shunt Happens is my way of showing that healing isn’t linear, strength doesn’t always look graceful, and humor can exist even in the hardest chapters. This is my story—not defined by a diagnosis, but by determination.
Diagnosed? Yes. Disabled? Sure. Determined to keep living? Absolutely.
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Hi, I'm CT!
I'm CT. I have hydrocephalus, a VP shunt, and epilepsy that showed up after a surgery that shouldn't have gone the way it did. Shunt Happens started because I couldn't find anyone talking about the parts nobody puts in the pamphlet — the fear before every scan, the shunt-failure symptoms doctors miss, the grief of a body that needs hardware to survive.