Header Image (book)

aowheader.3.2.gif

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Blog Break (Updated)


As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I have been diagnosed with hydronephrosis of the left kidney. Stage 3, but the kidney is functioning. The obstruction is partial and the cause is unknown (side effect of last fall's chickenpox vaccinations, congenital condition, other damage to the ureter).

The pain (renal colic) is debilitating — especially since the surgeon had me discontinue taking Tramadol on June 17. Part of the preparation for the upcoming surgery, but that pain medication made life bearable.

Cystoscopy, ureteroscopy, and laser lithotripsy this morning. I can only hope that a temporary ureteral stent will relieve some of this pain! I'm writhing here, and being put under general anesthesia cannot come soon enough.

On June 9, the surgeon mentioned on June 9 that I may need to undergo pyeloplasty. I should learn more about that possibility this week.

Back whenever.

Update @8:15 P.M., June 22, 2016

It was determined during today's surgery that I have hydronephrosis of both kidneys. At the moment, it is the left kidney in crisis. A temporary stent was placed to relieve the kink in the left ureter, and the hope is that the left kidney will recover enough function that the kidney will not have to be removed. The surgeon was surprised upon finding that kink and, so far, has not offered any explanation as to why the ureter developed a kink. The good news: no cancer and no stone.

17 comments:

  1. Prayers for a successful surgery, AOW.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was home after being at the hospital for about 5 hours. I ache! But the doctor prescribed plenty of pain meds.

    The surgeon said that my left ureter is kinked. Cause: possibly the car accident of 2005, when I was rear ended at a 4-way stop by an illegall immigrant under deportation orders for some 20 years. And he was driving a Yellow Cab! Cab company not liable because cabbies are considered independent contractors: only the cabbie himself is liable, and he had no assets and only minimal automotive insurance.. This kind of situation with cabbies is going on all over the United States!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Prayers for you last nite and first today, and for a smooth recovery. Looked up your links. Ugh! Hope this takes care of it. Best.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bless your heart. Prayers for your speedy recovery so you can get back to being AOW. May the LORD bless and keep you .Luv from Georgia. ~:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. The surgeon said that I'll be miserable for about 48 hours. Will be tending to matters when the pain meds kick in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Worst case scenario: the left kidney is too damaged to recover enough function. The one-month wait while is stent is place is time to see how much the kidney functions.

      If the ureter's kink doesn't straighten out, the surgeon will go in via llaparoscopy to rebuild that ureter.

      The surgeon is puzzled as to why the ureter became kinked.

      He hopes that I will be able to resume teaching classes in the fall.

      Delete
  6. I just read my medical chart on line. Something is going on with the right kidney, too!

    I'm in for it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Prayers for your improvement and healing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. On the plus side, I'm not short of breath now. The stent relieved that problem.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You've got a lot of people in your corner. Take it easy and remember: "Sufficient unto the day..."

    ReplyDelete
  10. Praying for you, dear buddy....You're a FIGHTER! And I can't wait till you look back on this and say "Wow, was I lucky it wasn't worse and I'll be okay!" :-) XXX

    ReplyDelete
  11. I find that I'm now able to make a few intermittent visits to a few blogs -- in between medication-induced snoozing.

    Eating a bit of food, but not enthusiastic about it.

    ReplyDelete

We welcome civil dialogue at Always on Watch. Comments that include any of the following are subject to deletion:
1. Any use of profanity or abusive language
2. Off topic comments and spam
3. Use of personal invective

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

!--BLOCKING--