|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
Just found out this November that I have a Kidney Stone, 1.3 centimeters. The pain started summer of 2006. I didn't know what it was, so I let it go. Besides, being a magician, I have NO health coverage. Finally the pain was too severe, so I went to the V.A. (I’m a Navy vet) I Was told it's too big to pass. They put in a medical stent on December 20th. Now I am going in to have the first of treatments via laser. The surgery is this Tuesday, January, 22nd. I'm a little scared. Before the Dec. 20th, I was never sick a day in my life, never been to a hospital for any reason. Now I am 48 years old and this is my first time. The scary part is, both my parents were never sick and then one day they had to be admitted to a hospital and neither of them ever came out alive. My mother was only 37. And my father was 64.
I know a Kidney Stone is pretty routine; but I hope you can see my trepidation. Anyway...if you have anything nice to say, or some encouraging words, I would feel happy, less scared and appreciative. Or if you have ever had a Kidney Stone maybe you could tell me what I'm in for? Right now I feel like C***, I haven't worked out or been on my bicycle since December 19th. Thank you! Justin Style P.S. I just want to say THANK GOD FOR THE V.A. I got out 26 years ago and this is the first time I needed them. They have treated me like gold every step of the way! |
|||||||||
The Drake Inner circle 2274 Posts |
Justin,
I think anyone who ever passed a stone " the old fashioned way" will tell you you're lucky to be getting the surgery. LOL I know your avatar is distorted on purpose but it looks a lot better than the face you'd make passing a stone. It is routine and nothing to worry about. Just think of it.. You'll be able to keep it in a jar and BS people that you DID pass it and " didn't feel a thing" LOL. Looking for happy thoughts????? Just remember how lucky you were that the VA stepped in. LOL On a more serious note... maybe spend a bit more time actually visiting a doctor. If you're 48 then some annual checkups might prevent any other hidden problems from getting to the point that you don't survive them. Good Luck, Tim |
|||||||||
Tom Fenton Inner circle Leeds, UK (but I'm Scottish) 1477 Posts |
Justin,
Can I wish you all the best with your treatment. God bless, Tom
"But there isn't a door"
|
|||||||||
Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
Thanks you guys!
Tim: You're funny! I promise, from here on out, I will make sure to get my anual check up...lol Tom: Thanks, I'll have my Rosary beads with me. |
|||||||||
Mark Rough Inner circle Ivy, Virginia 2110 Posts |
Oh man. I feel for you. I've been dealing with stones for about 20 years now. Passed four between Thanksgiving and New Year's, one of which was 1/4 inch in diameter. The moderators don't allow the language necessary to describe the pain. Yours must be freakin' huge. If you've been dealing with the pain for over a year it probably just sat there growing. The surgery is very routine. You'll be home in a few hours, though you won't feel like getting on your bike for a good while. You'll be fine. It's way better than passing them. I'm blessed with a high tolerance for pain and by the end of an episode of stones, I can be crying like a baby. After that, surgery is a piece of cake.
Some advice. . . the pain killers. . . take them before you think you'll need them. I waited one time, just because I didn't like the groginess after a while. By the time the pain really gets going, they won't help. I took 4 percocet one time and they didn't touch the pain. I'll try to remember to check in on you on Wednesday or Thursday. Just breathe, you'll be fine. Mark
What would Wavy do?
|
|||||||||
Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Surgery or lithotripter treatments for it? From which will you have to suffer? I've passed a stone or two in my life. Not pleasant. Good luck. What comes around, goes around, it's all Karma.
Steve |
|||||||||
Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
Good luck buddy! You'll do fine.
So you feel better, I survived a brain tumor 20 years ago...At the time they said I had 6 months to live.... You'll do great....No sweat, right? And listen to Tim! It's time to start seeing the doc more often! God Bless, Prof. Piper
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
|
|||||||||
Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
Thanks Steve and Prof. Piper!
I know in the scheme of things, this is not much to worry about and I appreciate your thoughts. It makes me feel a little more relaxed about the procedure. I'm grateful for people like you guys who are willing to reach out. It means a lot. |
|||||||||
housermagic New user In the mountains 71 Posts |
Justin,
I, too, will be thinking about and praying for your good results as I go to my local VA Medical Center for a re-check of my gall bladder. I had some kind of episode in mid-December that was said to be related to a stone that wouldn't pass. Get back on the bicycle as soon as you feel up to it. Bill |
|||||||||
martini Special user delta, pennsylvania 548 Posts |
Hang in there Justin;
You are in good hands, and will be up and about in no time. I have had 3 bouts with these *** things over the years, and my best description is trying to pass a watermelon through a straw.lol They certainly are no fun and I feel for you, it is very painful. My wife keeps telling me that now I know what childbirth is like.lol We're all pulling...(maybe that should be pushing) for ya. All the Best Marty |
|||||||||
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Justin, I've battled kidney stones for 26 years. I had a nickname at my last job of "quarry master" because I passed so many of them. You won't feel anyting with the laser treatment. It just bombards the stone into smaller pieces so you can pass the bits easily. In most cases, most of the fragments will pass before you get home. I've had them surgically removed, laser bombardment and the latest toture device of having a surgeon go physically go in through my back and remove them.
I have several in both kidneys right now and have had them for quite some time. My doctor has me on medication that reduces the rate at which they grow. The key, besides visiting a urologist at least every year is to drink plenty of water. The more you drink, the better the chances of passing the little things before they get out of hand. The stent will keep your urinary tubes open and protected so the fragments can pass easily without scratching anything. In most cases it will be removed in your doctors office and you won't feel that either.
Where the magic begins
|
|||||||||
Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
Thank you guys!
Hey Dave you really answered all my questions! You hit it right on target and made me feel a lot better, now I'm not as nervous about tomorrow. I am looking forward to having this stent removed though. It's almost as annoying as the stone. And I find myself going to the bathroom about twice an hour. After they remove the stent, will I need to go less frequently? "In most cases it will be removed in your doctors office and you won't feel that either." whoa!...just the thought hurts -lol |
|||||||||
calamari Elite user The San Francisco Bay Area 429 Posts |
A friend told me the worst part was having the Stint removed, not so much painful as akward, he had (his words) this big, black, lady nurse come in and say spread um I have to wash your privates now. and then he said she hosed him down with this bottle of some kinda liquid till he thought she was going to turn it into an enima... then the doc comes in and well lets just say he had to go in through a natural exit with a long tube like thing with a grabber at the end (you get the idea) the doc says "your going to feel some presure and a little discomfort" my friend confirmed both occurred, LOL... ok so I guess this may not have helped much but to end it is something we all (and even he) laughs about now so it coud'nt have been that bad.
good luck (you health nazi) Rich
"I came, I saw, SHE conquered." (The original Latin seems to have been garbled.)
|
|||||||||
Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
Thanks Rich, you're a good dude! I had the pain for 15 months before I found out what it is. Once the Dr. told me the plan of attack, I've been in a fog since. So, the pain, check. The stent, check. The laser procedure, check. The removal of the stent -while awake...priceless!
I guess if you are a doctor and do that kind of work, that's a little way of them getting some sort of kick. Sure, a "lilttle" discomfort...lol! I check in at 7 am and should be all done and on my way home by lunch time? Again, thanks to all you guys for your thought and well wishes. I really appreciate it! |
|||||||||
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Justin, after the stent is removed, your urinary frequency should return to normal but the more you drink, the more you go. Unfortunately, the more your drink, the better off you are in the future.
Stent removal: I haven't had a stent for years. Didn't need it but when I did, there was a very small cord attached to it. The end was just inside, and out of view. I really didn't even know it was there until he told me. The doctor had me lay on my back and he just slowly pulled the stent out. I'm assuming the technology for that hasn't changed much. I'm not a doctor buy mine has explained pretty much everything to me in detail. You will only have pain from a stone while it is in your kidney. Once it passes into the urethra tube, the pain goes away. It the stone is larger than that tube, then you have to have it removed. Otherwise it will pass by itself with enough water passing through. I know pain is pain but if you have had it for his long, you are lucky. Normally a lodged kidney stone will double you right over with pain. You'll only feel pain when the stone gets lodged or adhere's itself to the wall of the kidney at a crease. The doctor should be able to tell you what the stone was made up of and can then recommend a diet or possibly medication. In my case, I take a diuretic and an acid reducer. Those in combination with plenty of water had kept me stone free or at least free from pain for quite awhile.
Where the magic begins
|
|||||||||
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
As one old Navy man to another, I'm sure you will come through it just fine. I'm sure come tomorrow evening you will be fit to drink to the foam again!
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
|
|||||||||
Chessmann Inner circle 4242 Posts |
Justin, you are also at the age where you need to have your prostate checked, as well as your colon.
Do it. Both procedures are painless. Better feeling weird and having them checked than to lay in a hospital dying of cancer. Colonoscopies are needed just every 10 years. Not sure for prostate. Just do it.
My ex-cat was named "Muffin". "Vomit" would be a better name for her. AKA "The Evil Ball of Fur".
|
|||||||||
Mike Baxter New user Vancouver, B.C. 87 Posts |
Justin, You'll be ok. I was in hosp for 9 days two weeks before Christmas having a cancerous kidney removed During my stay, numerous kidney stone patients shared my room and none seemed too upset with the experience. One was a 93-year old man who got himself out of hospital the next day to take a flight down to the Aztecs in Central America.
|
|||||||||
rowdymagi5 Inner circle Virginia 3615 Posts |
Don't worry, all will be okay. This is something that is more common than you think! Our prayers are with you!
|
|||||||||
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
So today is the 22nd. Hoping your procedure went off well.
My dad had a stone once years ago. Was able to pass it but I tell you, I've never seen a grown man wallow in so much pain before. Really hope they blast that sucker to smithereens! Robert
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Looking out for our own » » Surgery Tuesday, January 22nd...I'm scared. (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |