Teen Girl Has Survived 13 Brain Surgeries

BURR RIDGE, IL — Jayne Crouthamel of Burr Ridge is one of the many brilliant students at the University of Chicago Laboratory School. Now completing her sophomore year at the elite Hyde Park neighborhood institution, she is a competitive swimmer, participates in the performing arts and even writes her own plays outside of school.

But Jayne's path to success comes with several obstacles. She has survived a total of 13 brain surgeries, many of which have occurred in the past three years.

Jayne, 16, suffers from a neurological condition known as hydrocephalus, which is a build up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Diagnosed at birth, she has had the condition her entire life and has had a VP shunt — a small tube that drains fluid from her brain to her abdominal cavity — in her head since she was just a few months old.

She has also suffered from a more mild form of cerebral palsy since infancy.

The Hinsdale Middle School alum says she doesn't know why she suddenly needed such frequent surgeries. Nearly all of the 13 shunt revisions Jayne has endured have occurred since 2016, and she did not need any before age 12.

But the team at Lurie Children's Hospital in downtown Chicago has been instrumental in ensuring she remains in the best care, no matter how often it's needed, she said.

"Dr. (Robin) Bowman, my main neurologist, has been very helpful while I've been going these revisions and clear when it comes to the different options," Jayne said, also mentioning the Easterseals organization for their help since she was a toddler in occupational therapy.

Bowman refers to Jayne as a “bright young lady who has proven to work diligently and keeps up with her peers."

"Hydrocephalus has caused her to undergo multiple setbacks, including flurries of shunt revisions and stress, but she continues to excel immensely.”

Play-writing is an area where Jayne excels, directing several plays with others involved in her church and even writing some of her own. Jayne is also a swimmer on the U-High team and vows to rejoin the team after having to take a break following one recent shunt revision.

"It's always difficult coming back and catching up with things like that after surgeries, but the teachers at school have been very understanding and helping me pull through it," she said.

In college and beyond, Jayne hopes to go into medicine. More specifically, neurosurgery and hydrocephalus research.

In the hydrocephalus community, Jayne is known as a "Hydro Warrior." Her story of perseverance is an inspiring one for younger individuals who suffer from the same condition.

"Know that you are not alone," Jayne says to others growing up with the same condition. "There may be some roadblocks, but don't let this define you or control you. You can still live a normal life and know there are people out there who you can reach.

"Living with hydrocephalus will make you stronger and a better person."