the saga continues......

[bubba]

This journey is kind of like being pregnant. Lack of sleep, irritability, no appetite, and more. Yesterday, MM had to go to urgent care. From the catheter after surgery, he got a bladder infection. He is not a happy man. For the past two days it's all I have heard about. He acts like I have never had one before!! I just giggle.

Today, the urologist called. They have decided to put him in the sonar tub and blast his kidney stones. We see the doctor on Monday and the blasting will be on Tuesday. The next week, we see an oncologist. I was talking to one of my good friends last night and her mom has had bladder cancer for almost 20 years!! Every six months, she has checkups and about every five years, surgery to remove tumors and have chemo put into her bladder. They never removed her bladder and that gives MM great hope as that is what they plan to do, but he doesn't want to go that route at all. If I comes down to that or being killed from this beast, he will do it, but if he doesn't have to, he doesn't want to.

Has anyone here been blasted for kidney stones? I told him to expect to be taking time off work for at least a day or two as my friend told me it feels like you have been beaten by baseball bats. Is that true?

Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and if you have any extra sleep, I'd appreciate it if you sent it my way

[meliswan]

Re: the saga continues......

I've had Lithotripsy done once on my right side and three times on left. It was not the kind that you had to get in the tub. The put me under a general anesthetic and the procedure took an hour each time. Each time was a little different, but really not bad. I was just a "bruised" feeling.

[baskets4deb]

Re: the saga continues......

My husband had the kidney stone procedure back in 1985 or so when it was only available in 2 hospitals in the USA. His recovery was minimal.

[Kgrammiecaz]

Re: the saga continues......

I will continue to add my prayers for you both. Especially for some good sleep. My brother had bladder cancer. It took a while but he gave in to his bladder being removed. They created a new one from part of his intestines. It was a learning recovery. It is over ten years since then and he continues to be cancer free. I have a uncle who also went thru this. He is almost 90 and doing amazing. I see only good news in your future.

[Simply Quilting]

Re: the saga continues......

Continued prayers for you and MM.

[bubba]

Re: the saga continues......

I failed to mention he has two stones, one in each kidney, each about 15mm!! That is approximately the size of your index finger, maybe a little bigger...if you knit, it's those big needles!

[K. McEuen]

Re: the saga continues......

You should have made sure to get the extended warranty on MM! Poor guy has way more than his share of problems going on. Ive never had a kidney stone (thanks goodness!) but always wondered how that sonic blasting thing went. In my head I imagine it is like sitting next to one of those people that have to blast the bass in their cars ...

[stationarymom]

Re: the saga continues......

Pat I wish I could send you the sleep you need.((Hugs)) are the best I can do right now.I will keep you and MM in my prayers.Make sure that when you see the Oncologist they answer all your questions and answer them in english so you both understand everything you need to know.(My Mother had one that wouldn't answer my father's questions). Hang in there

[MBCA]

Re: the saga continues......

Praying for you both!

[bubba]

Re: the saga continues......

Believe me, they will answer my questions!!! I went thru this with MM's mom, so I'm pretty well versed as to what is going on. The urologist was pretty surprised with some of the questions I came up with. He looked at me like he wanted to ask 'where did you come from???'

I will be there with notebook in hand!!

[Monique]

Re: the saga continues......

AND you ask for something to help you sleep. You have to look after yourself too. Continued prayers.

[Sandy Navas]

Re: the saga continues......

A tub of 'safe' sleeping pills, hugs, support, and concern arriving on your doorstep, along with some prayers thrown in for good measure - oh, and keep that attitude!

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Re: the saga continues......

Thinking of you guys and sending positive thoughts and lots of prayers your way! Hope he enjoys his sonic blast and it puts an end to the kidney stone misery.

[Grandma G]

Re: the saga continues......

Pat - I've shared my dh's journey with bladder cancer with you. They also removed the kidney that had the original tumor in it and he currently has 4 stones in his remaining kidney. His urologist has told us on countless occasions that he won't touch the stones unless they start to create a problem. He has also never suggested removing dh's bladder. He continues to monitor him every three months and anything suspicious he removes at the time of his office visits. Receives treatment that is now on a six month schedule. We love his doctor but my husband has told me that he would be open to a second opinion before he would let them remove his bladder. BTW - the cancer that affected his kidney was very aggressive and the tumor was classified at almost stage 4 cancer.

As a side note - we were told that smoking is a direct cause of bladder cancer. My dh quit 40 years ago but the doctor told him it didn't matter. The harm was done.

My continued prayers for you and MM. It is a very difficult road you travel.

[Caroline T.]

Re: the saga continues......

Continued prayers for both of you. Don't forget to take care of yourself too.