We were approached by a loving woman who is the proud mother of two young boys, both living with Hydrocephalus. Here is her story.

Hydrocephalus, also called “water on the brain” is a condition in which there is an abnormal build up of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) in the cavities (ventricles) of the brain. The buildup is often caused by an obstruction which prevents proper fluid drainage. The fluid buildup can raise intracranial pressure inside the skull which compresses surrounding brain tissue, possibly causing progressive enlargement of the head in infants, and convulsions, vision impairment, pressure, headaches and brain damage in infants to adults. Hydrocephalus can be fatal if left untreated.

Natasha Bazer has two young boys, Kasin (5) and Kadin (2), both of which have been diagnosed with Hydrocephalus. Life has already thrown her many curve balls as a mother, but she is strong and continues to stay positive. Here is her story.

On (6-30-09) at 2:01am I gave birth to a beautiful little boy named Oliver Kasin Bazer but he goes by his middle name Kasin. He weighed 6lbs. 10 oz. 19 3/4 inches . I was induced a month early at 36weeks due to his condition because he had fluid on his brain in utero. When I was pregnant, the doctors told us they thought our son had Lobar Holoprosencephaly which is a severe condition that leaves your child mentally challenged and needing 24/7 care. But after birth they told us he had a different condition known as Aqueductal Stenosis (which is a narrowing of the Aqueduct of Sylvius. Aqueductal Stenosis is one cause of Obstructive Hydrocephalus and the most common cause of Congenital Hydrocephalus. There are different types of Hydrocephalus -  my son was diagnosed with Congential Hydrocephalus which is a buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain at birth. Surgery is the only treatment. Kasin had a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placed in his head, which is a device that drains the extra fluid in the brain into the peritoneal cavity where the fluid can be absorbed. The ventricular catheter may enter from various positions of the skull, most commonly from the right front top of the skull or from the right back side of the skull just above and behind the ear. This allows the catheter to pass through a relatively silent portion of the brain which minimizes risk of complications. The ventricular catheter attaches to the one way valve which is placed under the skin on the outside of the skull. From the valve, the distal shunt tubing is tunneled underneath the skin down to the abdomen. It is placed into the peritoneal cavity which is a membranous fluid filled sac which encloses many of the abdominal organs such as the liver, spleen, intestines. The fluid is released into this cavity and absorbed. Kasin has had 4 Vp Shunt surgeries , 3 of which were revisions due to malfunctioning of his shunt. After he was born he spent 2 weeks in the N.I.C.U. He now has a Medium Pressure Vp shunt. Doctors said they didnt know what his capablities would be -  that we just have to wait and see how he progresses. But he is doing over and beyond what they had expected. We took Kasin to see a Neurologist for the first time when he was 2 yrs old and the Neurologist told us that Kasin's diagnosis is Aqueductal Stenosis, Congential Hydrocephalus & Cerebral Palsy. There are different types of cerebral palsy and our son has Diplegia Cerebral Palsy which primarily affects the legs, hips, and pelvis. Overall, the most common cause of spastic diplegia is periventricular leukomalacia, more commonly known as neonatal asphyxia, a sudden shortage of oxygen delivered through the umbilical cord, combined with premature birth. The presence of certain maternal infections during pregnancy can also lead to spastic diplegia, since such infections can have similar effects to infant hypoxia. This lack of oxygen damages areas of the brain associated with movement. So Kasin has had and has now leg braces, ankle braces, Chipmunk insoles, a walker & canes to help him get around since he cant walk on his own. On April 10th 2012, he had the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery in St.Louis, MO by Dr.Park to help eliminate  the spasticity in his legs and help him walk on his own one day. Kasin has had 5 surgeries total so far since he has been born and he only 5yrs old. On Dec. 14th 2011 at 12:51pm,  I had my second son Kadin Alexander Bazer.  He was born at 37 weeks & 5 days I (with induction as well) He too had fluid on the brain in utero. He weighed 6 lbs 14 ozs and 20.5 inches. On Dec. 16th 2011, Kadin had his first surgery to have 40% of his Small intestines removed because of Necrotizing Entercolitis (NEC), an infection.  He had to have a temporary Colostomy Bag to go potty until his intestines were healed to reconnect everything back. They temporarily put part of his intestines on the outside and sewed it to his belly so he could use the bag.  Jan 6th, 2012, Kadin had his 2nd surgery to release the fluid from his brain, because he also has Congenital Hydrocephalus like his brother Kasin.  They put a Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt in his head, which is a device which drains the extra fluid in the brain into the right atrium of the heart. A shunt catheter is placed into a vein in the neck and threaded down where the vein joins a larger vein called the Superior Vena Cava. This large vein returns blood to the right atrium of the heart. The cerebral spinal fluid is added to the blood supply and is absorbed.  He spent 39 days in the N.I.C.U.  On March 15th, 2012, Kadin had his third surgery to reconnect his intestines - a surgery known as Reanastomosis.  February 26th, 2013, Kadin had his 4th surgery on his eyes because they were too close and they started to cross.  July 11th, 2013, Kadin had his 5th surgery to switch his VA Shunt to a VP Shunt because it started to slide out of his heart and his intestines were finally healed enough to make the switch. On June 24th, 2014, Kadin had another eye surgery because his eyes now started to drift apart. Kadin has had 6 surgeries since birth and he is only 2 years old. As a parent it was very hard to hear all of this about our babies and see our kids go trough so much in life, but we pray and keep moving forward doing whatever it takes.  My two little Angels have been through so much but they still continue to smile through it all -  no matter what life throws at them. They keep fighting and they never give up. They are truly an inspiration. They are My Heart, My Angels, My Miracles, My Hydro Warriors, My Sons. They mean everything to us and there isn't anything we wouldn't do for them. They are the Greatest gift God has given us!

Natasha Bazer

If you would like to learn more about this condition, you can contact Hydro Angels Over America on their website. You can also find out how you can participate and/or donate to the Walk-Run-Roll 5K for Hydrocephalus Awareness on Sept. 27th in Jena, Louisiana.

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