On Thursday, the Little People, Big World star opened up to friends and followers.
“Not exactly how we saw our week going,” Tori confessed on Instagram. “Zachary had emergency shunt revision this morning.”
A shunt is a hollow tube surgically placed in the brain – sometimes in the spine – that helps drain cerebrospinal fluid and redirects “it to another location in the body where it can be reabsorbed,” according to John Hopkins Medicine.
Shunt procedures address the pressure on the brain – which could be caused by hydrocephalus – and assist with relieving many symptoms, such as gait difficulty, mild dementia, and lack of bladder control.
GIVING THANKS
Tori then went on to thank family and friends for their positive thoughts and prayers.
“Thank you so much to everyone for the prayers that you have covered us in. We feel them!” she exclaimed. “We are so incredibly blessed by our neurosurgeon team and their attentiveness to Zach’s needs!
“Thank you to our friends and family who have all reached out asking to help. We feel so loved and supported by you.
“I’m here praying that Zach’s recovery is quick and easy and that this will be our answered prayers to relieving his migraines!
“You’re a freaking bad a**, Zach. You just had brain surgery… and handled it like a rockstar. I’m so proud of you.”
Fans flooded the comments section with words of support.
“Praying for you guys!” one person wrote.
Another shared: “Thinking of you guys today!!!”
While a third echoed: “Sending prayers and so much love!”
FAMILY REACTION
Word spread late last night that the 32-year-old had to be hospitalized.
His father, Matt, 61, asked fans to pray for his son.
“Family has been in constant contact and communication. We are all praying for Zach as he undergoes an important shunt revision.
“He’s in good hands with Tori advocating tooth and nail for his best interest,” Matt added.
“All prayers up please for Zach’s successful recovery.”
