Fans of "Little People, Big World" were shocked to learn that Zach Roloff might be suffering from a life-threatening sickness. In last Tuesday's episode, Zach revealed that he was having headaches and bouts of vomiting.
Zach, who just turned 27 years old last month, initially didn't want to share this information with his family. His wife Tori was still pregnant during this time, and he didn't want to add to her burdens. However, he was worried when the pain got worse.
"Something’s wrong, here. I don’t know what it is, but it’s something. It’s like I’m on my deathbed!” Zach said in a confessional.
Zach's mom Amy connected his symptoms to the shunt that was implanted on him. It can be remembered that back in "Little People, Big World" Season 1, Zach had to undergo surgery to correct the shunt he got as a child. It seems that the fix wasn't a permanent one.
What is a shunt?
A shunt is a medical device to be inserted in the skull to relieve pressure on the brain caused by fluid accumulation. Zach, who inherited mom Amy's achondroplasia, was born with "cerebrospinal fluid." This is a common occurrence among babies with dwarfism.
While most people with dwarfism live out an average lifespan, they have to battle multiple medical conditions such as this. According to Amy Roloff, this could be fatal if not properly addressed.
Zach also had to have his legs operated on to correct their bowing, another complication due to dwarfism. His father Matt Roloff has dystrophic dysplasia, a degenerative kind of dwarfism. He suffers from various medical problems because of this and is now seen using crutches to walk.
Baby Jackson is also a little person
Zach and Tori welcomed their first son last May 12, Jackson Kyle Roloff.
Just this week, they broke the news that baby Jackson is also an "LP" or little person, just like his father. Zach knows the challenges baby Jackson has to face in the future, but both he and Tori are excited to raise him up as a healthy and happy boy.
Baby Jackson is the first grandchild for the "Little People, Big World" family.
Another baby is on the way--Jeremy and Audrey's baby girl due in September. Jeremy and Audrey discussed the possibility of their child being born with dwarfism but said that the chances are very slim.
The couple recently moved back to Portland near the Roloff Farm in preparation for their baby's arrival.
"Little People, Big World", airs every Tuesday night on TLC.
