Where to start ?, I'm writing this from my bed on a ward at my local hospital but not i might add the ward or hospital I expected to be on.
Yesterday ( 13th) I had an operation scheduled to remove my 8mm kidney stone by laszer lithotripsy under spinal anesthetic, my op was scheduled for 2pm and I had to arrive by 11am. At 9.15am my phone rings from a private number ( which lets me know its from a health professional ) and I already know its not good news ( I was preparing to leave for the hospital at 9.45am) , my urologist informs me that my operation has been cancelled through concerns for my health due to my breathing at the morning briefing, I was now to have sound ( or shock) wave therapy which hopefully would shatter said " stone" and make it easier to pass ,this was arranged for next wednesday ,although relieved i wasn't having an operation i was disappointed at having to wait again to rid myself of this blight, the doc said have a good breakfast and he would see me next week.
At almost precisely 12 noon my kidney stone reminded me that it was very much still there and determined to make this last week one I would remember, several hours ( 6 to be procise) and several cocodamol later and pain not abating it was off to the local hospital ( a different one from my original intended destination). Long story short blood work done ,canula in place ,morphine administered (around 7pm )with iv paracetamol 2 hrs later ,i was admitted for obs and it looks like i'll be home later today the 14th.( i find myself slightly off my head trying to take stock of the last 24hrs but getting old isn't for softies)
I apologise if I have rambled on somewhat but in my defense medication has taken control of my brain , high point of today was being examined by a young doctor who was being attacked by a moth (which she has a phobia of) lol in the end she had two nurses standing guard whilst she bravely examined my abdomen.
There is no real point to this post except the nhs is everything we know it is and nurses are WONDERFUL .
Well its 01.59 I see no sign of sleep for me on the horizon so I hope you all have a pleasant trouble free sleep and feel refreshed in the morning.
As always breath easy
Dave x
Written by
soulboy118
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Sorry to hear of your troubles with the dreaded kidney stones. My husband has them but is unable to have treatment because of his emphysema so is on permanent antibiotic treatment for them. Hopefully you will get your procedure and say bye bye to them. My husbands supposed to drink lots of water with lemon in it as advised by the doctor and it seems to help though he’s had a couple of urinary tract infections causing temperature and a bit of mental confusion. They certainly are an added complication to COPD. Hope you’re feeling better soon and get home today and that you can have the procedure next Wednesday. Take care X
So Sorry to Hear this Dave, Your a Warrior, we have to be these days, Self Help with a Certificate of Doctoring is what we aspire to have achieved. Hope by Now you have slept and had Plenty of water trying to dislodge that little (sorry BIG with Fishing Hooks)Stony Bugger. Get Home and rest before next Wednesday. Good Luck Hun. XXX C.
When people think of a kidney stone they think of a smooth pebble from a beach, lol mine is like a ball with lots of fishing hooks impeded into it OUCH , I got 30 mins sleep last night as the morph seemed to act like a stimulant which was weird, ill be fine thanks carolina xx
Sorry to hear of your kidney stone and the pain you are going through, my son had 2 and we are down to one now. His are small but the pain he said is awful. Let’s hope you will get a brief pain free period to sleep a little. Once it is gone you can get home and recover. Let’s hope Wednesday it’s all over with.
I had aserious burn on my shoulder that burned to the bone that wasn't as painful as this kidney stone, mind you I was in shock when I got burned.hope your son passes his stone without noticing
Thanks, he has had a couple of flare ups but the last one is still there. I am hoping it passes soon otherwise the longer its there the bigger it gets.
I am pleased to hear they are going to try using Ultrasound, certainly less invasive and if it is successful you will be back to "normal" sooner. I would have thought this would have been their first option of treatment, but then I am not a doctor. Get well soon.
I remember telling you of this this route, it just seemed so obvious to me, but again I am not a doctor and do not know your case history. They must have had their reasons why this was not tried first.
Omgosh how awful!!! And in this heat struggling with the pain and the disappointment! Hopefully you’ll be released today and they give you extended pain meds for the week. Interesting they can do this with ultra sound!
thanks Kate, just seen the doc not 2 minutes ago, they are going to check my kidney function and if that's OK send me home with pain meds , ive turned down tramadol and oramorph , diflafenic works for me ( voltarol ) , luckily the pain is under control now . TBH I'm glad the op's been cancelled , this shock wave treatment is much safer,
I hope your OK and not suffering to much in the heat and humidity , the cats must be suffering , although I'm sure they are to aloof to show it lol
Poor you, Dave. Sorry you’ve landed up staying at Hotel NHS. Sleep is often difficult in wards - noisy, hot and bright lights. Really hope they can sort out your kidney stone in a minimally invasive way and that you get home to your own bed soon. Take it easy! x p.s. hope there’s free WiFi, that always makes time go a bit faster.
No free WiFi CD 🤭 but at this precise moment I'm waiting for my meds to take home with me ,as soon as they arrive im outa here, cant wait to get home the weathets gorgous here today ,oh added bonus my pain has been brought under control, hope you are OK, take care
pain is under control D. The after effects are still a little tender but at least I know I'm covid free ,two tests in one week ( pre op on Tuesday and in A&E on Thursday evening , )
Thanks Dave and sorry to hear of the pain you are suffering but your sense of humour shines through! Trust you were able to nod off after writing. As you say not always a lot of fun this old age lark but better than the alternative?
Oh boy what a day it has been for you, you have my sympathies. I remember when young and my aunt suffered terribly with this and when removed it has been put in some museum as it was one of the largest. So glad you are out of pain and back home, rest easy now and hopefully you will sleep. Good luck for next Wednesday, hopefully this will be an easier option, although they dont do this if it a big stone, but they know what they are doing x
Catching up a bit on posts. Being in hospital isn't much fun and I believe that kidney stones are excruciatingly painful. I hope that you have been able to stay relatively pain free at home.
Best wishes for getting the stone treated with the planned ultra sound. Hope they blast the jigger to kingdom come. xx
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
last ray's of light 
Transferred to Respiratory unit & holed up there 
Last photo from Portugal
A sobering experience- and an update to an earlier post
