Thursday, November 18, 2010

Alphabe Thursday - "I" is for Impossible - Felled by a Stone - November 18, 2010


Alphabe Thursday - "I" is for Impossible - Felled by a Stone - November 18, 2010



I woke up, early the morning of 17th, with incredible pain in my left flank and left lower
abdomen.  Being the lucky receptacle of numerous kidney stones, I was immediately
aware of the culprit/s causing the pain and, in fact, Dr. Yan had even given me a copy
of the CAT scan done during my recent hospitalization.  It showed  numerous stones.
She encouraged me to make  an appointment, in the near future, to see my urologist,
one of the premier stone specialists in the San Francisco area.

I got up to drive my youngest son, Jeremy, to the train station but, before I left, I faxed
a note, along with a copy of the report to Dr. Kahn.  I came home, fully intending to put
on my make up, and head to the ER at CPMC.  However, I was in real agony when I
got home, I really was in no state to drive so I took a Vicodin, praying for some relief and
crawled into bed.  Laying there, chanting, "Why me, Lord?", I did fall asleep until
awakened by the telephone an hour later.  It was a concerned Dr. Kahn, telling me he
wanted me to come to his office for immediate x-rays.  He also told me he was starting
his first of three surgeries for the day and was leaving the next morning for a week away.

I saw him briefly, he asked me to go to the ER for IVs and pain medication and he also
gave me a stronger pain medication to take at home.   He said he would read the x-ray
films later.  Well, I left ( had to move my car from the very expensive parking garage
which closed at 7PM ) but, when I couldn't find a parking space within three blocks of
the hospital, I drove on home, doubled up in pain.  I drank a liter of water, took on of his
prescribed pills, bundled up under my heated throw and slept until Dr. Kahn called at
9:30PM as he finished up his last surgery.  I felt much better but he told me there was
a 6mm stone lodged in the ureter which would be almost impossible to pass.  He said
it would "absolutely have to come out" or it could damage the ureter or kidney and
went on to explain a "minimally invasive" procedure ( I did not like the sound of that but
I do trust his competence ).  He said he was sending an email to his partner and to call
the office in the morning.  I went back to sleep and, amazingly, slept all night - and the
entire day today!!  Dr. Sharlip called about 10AM and said that, while it was highly
unlikely that I passed the stone, perhaps, I did.  I will see him tomorrow morning for
further x-rays and we'll go from there.  I ended up sleeping the entire day until 4PM this
afternoon.  I guess  being tortured by pain really takes its toll on the body.  And, yes,
I can truly say, the pain from kidney stones is more than the delivery of any of my three
sons and the last, Jeremy, at 9 pounds, 11 ounces, was no stroll in the park since I had
no anesthesia of any kind, not even an epidural.  At least, I know I'm done with childbirth
but with more than a dozen stones showing on x-rays, I live in dread!

I am participating in Jenny Matlock's alphabe Thursday!

23 comments:

  1. Oh, man! Hubs had a kidney stone and he was on the floor crying in pain. You poor thing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. take good care carmen...

    ReplyDelete
  3. I know how painful kidney stones are . I've had them but check with your doctor about getting them lazored. It works. I'm glad you could sleep cause it's better than puking hey.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh dear, this is just dreadful, Carmen. I'm glad you have good medical help, but 6mm sounds awfully large, and even awfullier painful. :)
    But look at you, posting to memes. Hard to keep a good nurse down.
    Luv, K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

    ReplyDelete
  5. You can try Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy which is a non-invasive treatment. My sister in law got her kidney stones removed in 3 sittings. It costs USD 400 here.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That sounds debilitating~ glad you were able to sleep! Hope you find relief~

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Carmen
    What a time you've been having. Sending full on understanding, care and many gentle huggles, and wishing you wellness,

    Michelle and a snoozling Zebby Cat, xxx and purrrumbles

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Carmen, how dreadful for you to go through all of this pain! I hope some how by miracle that all of those stones pass on their own! Thinking of you..

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's right, you should drink lot of waters. Get well soon Carmen. Hope everything getting better with your kidney.

    Amiko

    ReplyDelete
  10. Take care of yourself Carmen. That's not good at all. Sending good thoughts your way.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hope that you are going to get over it very soon.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kidney stones are HORRIBLE! Passing them really hurts, too, but when they're out, what a relief!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Carmen, you are one strong woman! Driving while in pain. That for me would be impossible. I'm glad to hear you have great doctors who are concerned about you. Good for them. I wish you well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Geez, you poor girl.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so sorry to read this. My husband has kidney stones and I've seen the agony - I hope that a miracle has occurred and that you've passed this one!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hope you do as everyone is advising! I tried to ignore my gallstones for too long and had to have them removed during the summer. My surgeon said they were exceptionally pretty stones and presented them to me in a bottle. I wasn't impressed though.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Consider my poetry book when you're Christmas shopping - Life's Journey by Carmen Henesy – it’s out on Amazon ( Poems about the things that have been important to me in my journey through life, some humorous, some sad, some that may have meaning to you as well ) I finally did it at the age of 65!
    http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Journey-1-Carmen-Henesy/dp/1451547366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274652997&sr=1-1
    ( Check out the reviews! )



    Stef -
    I've had back surgery ( 25 years ago ), with chronic pain, so, sometimes, I'm not sure if it's my back or a kidney stone but once the pain really gets bad, then there's no question.


    magiceye -
    I'm following doctor's orders, drinking gallons of water, and taking pain medicine when I need it. I just wish I could snap my fingers and the stones would be gone.


    Jackie -
    I've had lithotripsy twice for my stones. Sadly, I've got about eight large ones in the lower part of each kidney and the laser just couldn't reach them adequately. Dr. Kahn said he wouldn't bombard my kidneys any more as the shock waves do cause some trauma. I've been on medications that help keep new stones from forming but I guess, occasionally, one gets by.


    Kay L.Davies -
    I'd go insane if I couldn't get at this computer once in awhile but, believe me, when the stone is really bothering me, there's no distraction!


    Shiju Sugunan -
    At least, I know, when I come to India, I'll be able to access reasonable health care should I become ill there. I have read so much about people coming there for surgical and medical intervention at very reasonable prices.


    Mary -
    I just hope the rest of the weekend passes without any more torment from this particular stone!


    Mickle in NZ -
    I certainly have been having my share of poor health and medical visits. It is such a help, though, to have support from all my blogging buddies.


    ♥-Icy BC-♥ -
    I cherish your friendship and warm wishes...better than medicine, that is, unless the pain is REALLY bad!


    Amiko -
    Drinking water is like taking medicine for me - I don't love it. I have to put lemon or lime or add those flavorings to it...or drink tea or herbal teas to get it down.


    Geeta -
    I am always happy to have your good wishes, Indian style, especially.


    rainfield61 -
    I am truly the world's worst patient! I need to recover from all this.


    Judie -
    You are so right, passing a stone is one of the best things in the world. All that pain is suddenly gone!


    Su-sieee! Mac -
    Believe me, I couldn't drive when my kidney stone pain was at its worst. I had to pull over and park on the side of the road.


    Marla -
    You know, it's like childbirth...when you're not feeling the pain, you forget how bad it was! Kidney stones are much the same.


    Pondside -
    The stone is still there, as of Friday's x-ray but it's repositioned and, right now, I'm not having any pain. I go back in Monday for another x-ray. Eventually, I'm told, it will have to be removed since I will, unlikely, pass it. I really would just like to get it over with!


    Sheila @ Postcard a Day -
    Gallstones are pretty painful, too, aren't they? And they are larger than kidney stones. So you didn't make a necklace out of yours?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Take care dear... difficult times and I wish I could hold your hand now.

    ReplyDelete
  19. it's amazing the toll that pain takes on our bodies ... i have had gallstones and i can definitely empathize ... get well .... get them removed asap ... sending you some healing thoughts and vibes ...

    ReplyDelete
  20. You poor thing! I haven't experienced this but have heard it described as worse than childbirth before. Childbirth (the natural kind), I have experienced 4 times. So....yikes for the kidney stones. Will say a prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I hope this will be the last stone to cause you trouble, Carmen. I can't imagine how bad the pain is. Dr Khan seems to be very competent and hopefully he will be able to help you quickly if the need ( hopefully not) ever arises again!
    Stay well!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh Carmen. I've had one small stone and I thought I wouldn't survive it.

    I can't imagine waiting like that. How stressful for you!

    It sounds like you have a great doctor willing to listen and help. I know that must be small consolation in enduring such pain, though.

    Take care of yourself, sweet lady.

    Sending a hug and a prayer your way.

    A+

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh, I'm so sorry. I hope you feel better soon.

    ReplyDelete