Recovering from 2 Surgeries

byGKColon

304 followers

Updated 6 years ago

Hello everyone. I am sharing my experience with my kidney stone surgeries so if you or anyone else you know and love have to deal with kidney stones, you can share this story It may help in some way.

I'm attempting to make this story really detailed enough for anyone who reads it so bear with me.

The pain begain in November 2017, under my left rib. It would come and go, but each time it came back it was worse. It began to move around under my rib, the side and my lower back, the front near my bladder, and my urine was beginning to burn then some blood showed up in the urine.

My new health insurance did not kick in until January 1, 2018, and it was nearly impossible to get an appointment then, so I had to wait until until mid-Feb. So, I endured pain, could not sit for more than 10-15 minutes, had trouble laying down, sleep was interrupted by bathroom emergencies.

My new wonderful Dr. Heber Rosa, patiently listened and interracted with me regarding all my issues, performed exams, gave me referrals. Finally, I was diagnosed with kidney stones in my left kidney and uterer tube.

It could have been a quick removal, but one stone attempted to leave the kidney and got embedded in my uterer tube giving the doctors a major workout.

A stent was placed to protect the uterer from further damage. I was given prescriptions for antibiotics and pain. I also purchased "AZO" that is the name. This product provides relief from the pain when you urinate and reduces the urgency to urinate especially when you don't really have to go. It is a little expensive, but less than $20.

It works fast to relieve the pain, but since you have to constantly drink water to flush your kindey, it is difficult for it to control when your bladder is full. Again, if you do not have to go, it relieves you from that frustrating feeling of urgency.

Last time I used a generic brand, but it did not work for me. After 3 long excruciating painful weeks with a stent constantly annoying me, and the constant urgency to relieve myself, It was now time for my appointment to remove the stent and all would be well. Right?

WRONG!!! After an ultrasound, xray and urine sample, I was told there were more stones that have not moved towards the uterer to exit my hurting body. I had to be scheduled for surgery two days later after this diagnosis.

ERGHH! It was interrupting my life, my studies, my work, my relationship with my wonderful husband.

Advice, I had to use a towel and sturdy plastic large enough to cover my waist line and thighs when I layed down just to protect my mattress which was frustrating.

If you like to sleep on plastic mattress pads, go for it. My hubby and I can't sleep on that, because he is always hot and it makes us very uncomfortable. So not to torture him, since he is the one that needs his rest for work and I stay at home I use a towel. I can always take a nap later.

So I had two more days of torture and anticipation of getting this over with. Now it was time for my surgery.

My surgery was scheduled for 8:40 a.m. I was told to check in by 6:20 a.m. We arrived at 5:50 a.m.

By 6:30 a.m. I was taken back to prep for surgury. They give you an inflatable gown, socks, a sturdy plastic bag to put your beloingings. They take your blood pressure, temperature, pulse, an IV needle is stuck in you. The medical assistants, hook you up to a heating blower that connects to your gown which keeps you feeling nice and warm. My only favorite part!!!

Then, you have to become a recorder because each new medical professional would come ask you the same questions; your name and DOB as they look at your wrist band given at admissions, and why you are there. How bad is you pain level 1 - 10, when you last ate, if you took certain meds, if you're allergic to specific things like latex, meds, etc.

But don't sweat it. It's just a way to make sure that they have the right person and you know what procedure you are there for.

I can't complain, everyone who attended me were great, caring and professional. They seemed to not miss anything. Everyone introduced themselves, their role in the surgery, etc.

The last set of people that will introduce themselves, the anestesian ,the OR nurse and your doctor usually arrives at this time to ensure everything is ready.

Everyone has signed off on their part, The hosptial porter disconnects you from all the devices and pushes that wonderful hospital bed on wheels all the way to the OR receiving room.

At last, I am given anxiety med to relax me, the antibiotic and the anestisia. I don't remember when it all happened. Last time they gave me all that in the OR I remember when I finally closed my eyes.

My doctor removed the stent, went into the kidney to remove all the stones and placed a new stent in there which will be removed in my next appointment in 3weeks.

So I was done by 12 p.m. I was in excruciating pain. My wonderful nurse gave me percocet and pumped the morphine until the pain was gone, but in small doses and she monitored my breathing to make sure I don't say good-bye for good!

They wanted to ensure I could urinate, before they released me. But that was not a problem, I went twice, cause my bladder was extremely full.

I said thank you and my good-byes to everyone who attended me.

I was hungry, and I was slightly groggy, I thought I was going to callapse like last time, but I was fine.

Once home, I ate till I was satisfied, I watched TV for a few minutes and took a nap for about a few hours. Last time after surgery, I was super nautious and only able to eat soft foods.

But this time, I had a sudden burst of energy. I served dinner, washed dishes, cleaned the bathrooms, emptied the trash for my husband to carry out. I felt like richochet rabbit.

I sit here fully engergized, but it is 8:44 p.m. I have to find things to do until I feel that I am ready for bed. I'm trying to wind down, but it feels like I may be up till 2 a.m. LOL

So that's my story. I hope it helps you or anyone you share it with. This is truly a great example of the care you get when you have really good doctors or a great network of physicians.