Randy's LAST Kidney Stones Graphic Pix , Medical Descriptions

From the last procedure! Inside Randy

Great news today!  Randy went in for his ESWL (Extracorporial Shock Wave Lithotripsy) today at the Reagan Surgery Center.  He brought his x-rays that showed the 2 mm and 3 mm stones that have been lodged in his kidney for basically 3 years.  They were what was left over after his last procedure and after the ones over the past 2 years. He wanted to wait until after his colonoscopy so it's been about 6 weeks since his laser lithotripsy..

Before they were shards!

About 2 weeks ago, he had a small stone that passed without too much incident.  Then for about a week, he's been uncomfortable and could feel a fairly large stone traveling and then right at the top of his bladder for about 2 days and yesterday, he passed it!  He was able to retrieve it to take to the doctor.  Here are the pix:

Pretty gross, right?

Well, I walked Randy to his appointment.  The surgery center is right across the street from my work.  I left my number and Christa's number with them as Christa was picking him up for me.

They took him back. Got him ready.  Gave him the meds to make him sleepy.  Started the scope and .... No kidney stones!  They were gone. Completely.  No sign!  The doctor help up the one in the plastic bag to the x-ray.  The profile matched!  After all that time they picked the day before the surgery to come out.  Randy didn't get the procedure as he no longer needed it!

Thanks to all our family and friends who kept him in their prayers!  We feel truly blessed today!!!

Randy's Kidney Stones. Graphic Pix

Picture of Randy's Stones

The procedure went well.  Better than either Randy or I dared hope for. There is such a difference between this time and the last time he had to have this done.  Randy notice immediately that he didn't feel anywhere neat the pain he felt with the last procedure.  His sense of urgency to "go", wasn't nearly as bad.  In the day that has passed, he is still having some pain, but it is easing and continues to gets better.  He is seeing hope at last.  It has been such a long time since he hasn't felt defeated by the situation.  Over a year of constant pain.  It works on a person's psyche.  He has been so miserable for so long!  But even in the bad times, his attitude has been great. He is always thinking of others.  If it had been me, I would have been a royal bitch and there would have been no living with me.  I adore my brave, patient, wonderful husband!

They found two stones in the ureter.  The doctor is sending him for another x-ray on Monday.  He is hopeful that the stone in the kidney passed into the ureter and that another procedure, this time a non-invasive one (ESWL), wont be necessary.  Otherwise the stone was bigger than they thought and broke in two.  They left a stent in and it is quite irritating to him.  But this time they did not leave the strings hanging out of him this time and he is therefore, coping much better.  They would have to leave the stent in if he needs another procedure.  Let's hope it is gone completely this time!