In 2023, while I was just coming up to finishing my degree, I ended up very unwell, after the scariest few weeks of my life, I was transferred to the Walton Centre where I had two brain surgeries in two days. The second surgery was the insertion of a VP shunt to help drain excess fluid out of my head and control a rare condition that had triggered- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. This causes the pressure in my brain fluid to increase, which was causing the worst headaches I have ever known, along with threatening permanent vision loss. I am so lucky I recovered well from the surgery, kept my vision and my pressure was controlled.
After a difficult few months, we discovered a secondary brain condition Chirai Malformation where the lower part of my brain pushes down into my spinal canal causing symptoms that effect me everyday. A combination of this, and my first condition, meant my previous shunt wasn't performing as effectively as it could have. Me and my surgeon made the decision to revise my shunt, and put in a valve that gave us more control of the settings that effect the draining speed and so I had my third and most recent surgery in the Walton, April 5th 2025. My new shunt valve has been brilliant so far, and while I am recovering and unsure what the future will hold, I am organising a fundraiser to raise money for an incredible hospital.
Both times I have been a patient in the hospital my family have been able to stay in the home-from-home accommodation, meaning they were able to stay near by me to support me, without having to travel to and from North Wales. Myself and my family would have really struggled without them and we will forever be grateful for the support we were shown.
The same gratitude extends to every aspect of this hospital, every member of staff we met; nurses, porters, reception staff, the surgical teams, consultants...etc, were all kind, caring and truly a credit to the NHS.
Anyone that knows me knows the passion I have for badminton, and the role's I have in my local club. I have been captain of 2 teams this season and help the committee to run the club.
Together with our club and friends from local clubs we are organising a tournament day to raise money for the Walton Centre. We will have a day full of playing badminton, where we will host a final for each event and have medals ready for winners! Complete with a raffle, we're hoping everyone enjoys the day while raising money for such a brilliant cause! Caitlin Leigh Hodgson