Hi, my name is Sam. I'm a mum to four girls and step-mum to one. In 2011 I had viral meningitis. Shortly after going home from hospital I got rushed back in with too much fluid around the brain. I was told it was likely I had benign intracranial hypertension. I had a lumbar puncture done to remove fluid and this seemed to work. Over 2012 I had this done a few more times. In 2013 I was expecting and all my symptoms stopped, I then had another pregnancy soon after and again the symptoms went. My last daughter was born January 2015 and everything seemed to just come back with a bang. Over the last year I have been more ill than healthy. I managed to hide it pretty well and kind of got used to it. But by April this year it was unbearable, I couldn't sleep, couldn't concentrate on anything, was advised to stop driving. My vision seemed to get worse by the day. All this resulted in my having a brain shunt fitted in May. One of my major worries was having my hair shaved for the op. As soon as I'd had the op I realised just how silly I was being and how little my hair really mattered! I am recovering well and so grateful for all the help and support we have received  from family and friends and iih uk. I have decided to shave my hair to try and raise as much money as possible for iih uk so they can continue with research and support for people like me.  I will also be donating my hair to 'the little princess trust' for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment.

I hope all my friends and family will donate and support me with this.



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