Thought only this group would appreciate our last 60 hours

[CantChoose]

First off, thank you all again for the warm welcome. I've read the replies multiple times and am trying to adjust to this new crazy normal. This week has made it a bit hard.

My husband had his CT scan Tuesday and, as expected, it showed multiple bone metastases, but thankfully no lymph node involvement. It also showed an incidental kidney stone, which was a welcome explanation for the horrible back pain, persistent fever and general malaise he's had. The doctor suggested we deal with the stone via Shockwave treatment since he was really suffering.

Wednesday night: procedure. By Thursday morning, we call the emergency number because he can't pass urine and is bleeding. Doc sends us into the office where they cath and irrigate him, but still wants to do the biopsy the next day. So, we premedicate and do the prep. My husband is sicker than a dog by now.

We get to the office and the doctor is disconcerted by the bleeding but suggests getting the biopsy over. So, we did, no big deal. Except my husband is so weak and in so much pain that I ask to stay with him through the procedure. After, they try irrigating the bladder. Blood. Lots of blood. More blood. Doctor at this point suggests an ER visit for labs and my husband is writhing in pain.

So...never a more convenient moment to keel over, right? Next thing I know, I'm lying in a chair and two of the nurses are hovering. My blood pressure was 40 dp. We BOTH manage to get transported to the ER and share a doctor in adjoining rooms. True love, lol.

He is staying overnight and having a cystoscopy to try to find the source of the bleeding. I am taking the night off, though I feel beyond guilty leaving him. And we haven't even started his treatment yet.

Hoping like hell this gets a bit better soon.

[Hidden]

I do appreciate your true love.. poor guy , that’s sounds so brutally painful . Good they found the cause of the back pain . Once over that obstacle ,he should feel much stronger .....my wife also was by my side and saw some crazy procedures done to me . This urological stuff is cruel work . I think he will,rapidly improve . Get rest and take care ... he needs you ,you need him. Stay strong . He’s going to be home soon .. 🙏

[Schwah]

All I can say is ouch. You poor guys. I can’t imagine the nightmare you had. It has to get better. It just has to. I’m praying it does.

Schwah

[YostConner]

You’re both strong! Don’t understand what the urologist insisted upon pressing on, bot then my first urologist was a sadistic SOB, so I know it sometimes happens. Best to you both.

[marykg46]

I hope now some time has passed things are looking better for your husband and you too. I really feel for you both especially in relation to retention and what a worry that is as my husband over a two year period had some eight ER admissions with blood clots after his Prostrate removal and the pain he experienced could only be described as excruciating. I too passed out at the sight of the clots but I'm tougher now. Coupled with that it always meant he came home with a catheter and then when they tried to get things back to normal he might have a few days or sometimes a week thinking things were fine just to have retention once again. The sight of the blood and clots in the catheter bag were frightening made you wonder how someone could survive losing so much blood. Fortunately, a special device became available that meant he could go off his blood thinners and that did the trick at least in relation to retention. Hope you have some answers and your husband is on the way to a good recovery.

[CantChoose in reply to marykg46]

I am not at all squeamish - - used to eat lunch in a cadavar lab for heaven's sake. My husband thinks I responded to his pain, not the blood. I do need to toughen up. I've also learned the hard way that I have to schedule my own meals just like his. My kids are not ready to help with this and shouldn't have to.

Thank you for the info on clotting - now I know to be on the lookout for that as a complication.

[monte1111 in reply to CantChoose]

Wow. I've just about keeled over just hearing about all this. I hope you both had rooms with a view.

[CantChoose]

We are hanging in there. They discussed moving him to the ICU, but apparently that's more for unstable patients and not just really sick ones. The bleeding has lessened and they are working to treat the infection.

We haven't even been able to meet with the urologist yet to get a full report. The hospitalist did tell me he has mets in nearly every rib, and that's why it looked like pneumonia initially. We just need to get to the next step.

[tallguy2]

Wow. All I can say is thank you for sharing.

[MelaniePaul]

Cantchoose, I am so sorry to hear of the events in recent days. Please keep us updated on what happens. You can always write here. Love, Mel.

[j-o-h-n]

I'm confused (as usual). Did they remove the stone via shockwave treatment. If so,

What are side effects of shock wave lithotripsy for kidney stones?

ANSWER:

Shock wave lithotripsy for kidney stones can cause side effects such as cramps or blood in your urine. More serious problems are less likely, but can include:

Bleeding around the kidney

Infection

Damage to the kidney

Stone that blocks the flow of urine

Wooda coulda shudda (CantChoose):

Ureteroscopy method would have been better in retrospect (my opinion "your urologist needs a few DREs himself)". I am not a doctor but I do have a white laboratory coat.

I send you and him my regards and -

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 04/07/2019 5:44 PM DST

[CantChoose in reply to j-o-h-n]

Yeah, in retrospect... WTF. I think the doctor was trying to be aggressive because he was in so much pain, but it really caused all havoc to break loose.

Hoping we've turned a corner.

[j-o-h-n in reply to CantChoose]

Hoping you've done too...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 04/07/2019 7:23 PM DST

[beatPC]

Your courage is evident. I don’t know how much you value sentiment compared to good medical advice (which I do not know enough to offer). I hope every good sentiment sent your way helps. Ill add mine.

[CantChoose in reply to beatPC]

Oh, believe me, I read these comments over and over. I feel very alone right now, even though I'm surrounded by family. Thank you for reaching out.

[Longterm101 in reply to CantChoose]

Praying things go well for u and your family

[Cateydid in reply to CantChoose]

Boy, do I feel you!!! I’m not surrounded by family physically, but they’re uber supportive from a distance. AND I feel very alone in this battle.

Thank goodness for this site. Many folks will reach out with support to every post you make. Some will provide incredibly valuable information. Keep sharing whatever helps you process what’s happening.

I’ll add you and your beloved to my prayers, and send warm wishes for your comfort on this journey.

[Caddie28]

my husband went thru many many bleeding cath episodes - they removed his bladder july 30th and his kidney's have failed several times - he's in the hospital right now due to high creatinine levels and fever. it's been a week. we have been thru all the meds last one was Zytiga which does work for lots of people next on the list is chemo or radium therapy intravenous. thanks for posting about your bleeding episodes - have not heard of many others having that issue. wishing you and your husband the best on this difficult journey.