My 22 yr. old son suffered a tbi nearly one year ago. He was hit by a car while riding his bicycle in Florence Italy. He was an intern at the american embassy last summer, studying to be an engineer at SUNY Buffalo. It was to be his last year of college. He had so much going for him. Stefano' surgeon telephoned us to say that he probably wouldn't live through the night. I wouldn't believe it and begged the surgeon to do everything....he didn't know Stefano...an amazingly strong person and a fighter. He was a premature infant that beat the odds and survived at birth. No physical handicaps etc. I knew in my heart that it couldn't be the end. It wasn't. He blew them all away and walked out of that hospital 6 weeks later and returned to his engineering program on the first day of classes. 40 lbs. lighter and as frail as a lamb, he persevered. I carried his bag and drove him to campus. He had no apparent problems even after 3 surgeries to his head to relieve pressure and 17 days in a coma. Handsome, funny, happy and excited to return to normal life. He resumed a usual college life. Very close friends since childhood stood by him regularly. They were his rehab, along with a very close family unit. Insisted to return to his soccer team and doing everything he wanted. A personal trainer helped him to regain all of his lost muscle mass and within 3 months he looked himself. All seemed well until 3 months ago when he developed severe headaches. First when he would sneeze. Then bending to tie his shoes. Then nearly a dull headache all day. Spinal tests confirmed that he has a fluid reflux on the top of his head. The scaring from the accident has blocked normal pathways for the fluid movement. Together we have decided not to have a shunt installed, but to wait it out and hope that Stefano's body will heal itself. Stefano refuses prescription medications because of the side effects described in the info. Advil dulls the pain but doesn't take it away. Does anyone have any suggestions. We have tried homeopathy and cranio sacral massage as well as an appt. with an accupuncturist next week. Thanks for any advice. And best wishes to anyone living with this condition and to their loving families. We are the lucky ones....i know that. Thank you, again. love
Prish

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