mrmule.com

laparoscopic nephrectomy

Well continuing from my last post
I (had) kidney stones as you may know,
OK so my Urinary system is something that Dr. Mengele would be most 'interested' in.
I'm a freak of nature, perhaps the next step in the urinary evolution of man?! WTF!.. read on!

The results of the renogram showed that my left kidney had almost died, it was running at 12% and showed signes of damage beyond repair. I also (had) a smaller than normal tube running from my kidney to my bladder. (No stones could pass through) The CT scans also showed that the inside of my bladder , instead of being nice and smooth was all nobbley.

OK not so freaky, however, I also have an 'extra' bladder, like a small balloon, attached on my right, it conveniently stores about 50cl of fluid... COOL!

So, on Wednesday 23rd Feb, I was booked into our local hospital. On Thursday I had my left kidney removed by laparoscopic nephrectomy.

The operation was due to last about 3 hours max, however I went under about midday and was still in theatre at 17.00 when mrsmule came to see me. Apparently the doctors were putting out paging calls over the tannoy for her, they couldn't find her, but she found me!

I don't remember much of Thursday!

Friday 25th, I find lots of tubes dangling everywhere!
I have 3 tubes going into the main artery in my neck, 2 tubes in the back of my left hand and 1 big tube going up my willy!

By Friday mid morning I had the tubes from my neck out (and the 2 stiches) and my willy tube (catheta) was also out... she was a very kind nurse!

The nurse gives me a shower and I'm safely back in my bed.

..It was now just the big bag of Saline fluid and the morphine with the 'click me' for pain releif button.

Friday evening came, and friends from work came to visit, I get to show off my cool new scars

I got excited and started throwing up all over the place, freaked a few mates out I can tell you!!...LOL, mrsmule stepped in as cheif matron and I got cleaned up and settled down again.

Saturday, well by this time I've been on the morphine for 2 nights, happily clicking away, I can go to the toilet (for a whizz) and shower on my own. (awwww how nice) The Surgeon comes to visit me again and suggests that if I can go to the toilet (#2) I can go home, well.. with that kind of incentive, I grabbed the enema and scuttled off giggling. Mrsmule gets a call Saturday morning (everything happens early in hospitals) and she comes and gets me and takes me home to my bed.

I have been steadily repairing now for 4 days now, I can walk around (a little), but spend most of my time laying down on my back drinking water and eating paracetamol.

Tuesday I had my first full meal for nearly a week, I couldn't stop eating!!!!... we had ordered takeout (Suriname curry) and I thought I'd probably do as I have for the last few days which is pick at everyone elses food... but I felt brave and got my own dish, well I cleared my plate and started picking at others!.. so I know now I'm really on the mend!...

OK I'm kackered now.. this took 3 days to write BTW!..
I will have a conclusion for you soon, I'll let you know how I'm feeling and my thoughts about the differences in the medical service here in the Nehterlands versus UK... where by now I'd still be waiting for a CT scan....LOLOLOL!..

Thank you mrsmule for being my Florence Nightingale (yet again!)

But also a HUGE thanks to all the surgery staff, Doctors/Surgeons K.W.H. Gisolf and A.R. Meyer and the nurses and carers on the 4th floor all from ziekenhuis oudenrijn,

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!

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