| Yesterday I went to the hospital for an Electrocardiogram (ECG) in preparation for my Lithotripsy today. Basically, I need to have a kidney stone reduced in size so I can (less) painfully pass it / them. The following is a description of the today’s procedure and is taken from the John Muir Hospital web site… |
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Shock Wave Lithotripsy
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| Passing a kidney stone can be very painful. Shock wave lithotripsy is a treatment that helps by breaking the kidney stone into smaller pieces that are easier to pass. This treatment is also called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Lithotripsy takes about an hour. It’s done in a hospital, lithotripsy center, or mobile lithotripsy van. You will likely go home the same day. This treatment is not used for all types of kidney stones. Your healthcare provider will discuss whether this is the right treatment for the type of stone you have. |
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| Energy waves strike the stone, which begins to crack. |
| The stone crumbles into tiny pieces. |
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During the procedure
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| • You get medicine to prevent pain and help you relax or sleep during lithotripsy. Once this takes effect, the procedure will start. |
| • A flexible tube (stent) with holes in it may be placed into your ureter, the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder. This helps keep urine flowing from the kidney. |
| • Your healthcare provider then uses X-ray or ultrasound to find the exact location of the kidney stone. |
| • Sound waves are aimed at the stone and sent at high speed. If you’re awake, you may feel a tapping as they pass through your body. |
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After the procedure
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| • You’ll be closely watched in a recovery room for about 1 to 3 hours. Antibiotics and pain medicine may be prescribed before you leave. |
| • You’ll have a follow-up visit in a few weeks. If you received a stent, it will be removed. Your healthcare provider will also check for pieces of stone. If large pieces remain, you may need a second lithotripsy or another procedure. |
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Possible risks and complications
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| • Infection |
| • Bleeding in the kidney |
| • Bruising of the kidney or skin |
| • Blockage (obstruction) of the ureter |
| • Failure to break up the stone (other procedures may be needed) |
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Passing the stone
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| It can take a day to several weeks for the pieces of stone to leave your body. Drink plenty of liquids to help flush your system. During this time: |
| • Your urine may be cloudy or slightly bloody. You may even see small pieces of stone. |
| • You may have a slight fever and some pain. Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medicine as instructed by your healthcare provider. |
| • You may be asked to strain your urine to collect some stone particles. These will be studied in the lab. |
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| I had the procedure done twice before back in the 1990’s while I was living in Liverpool, England. Hopefully, I’m good for another 20 – 25 years. (LOL) |
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| A big shout-out to the office staff, nurses and doctors at John Muir Hospital – Concord, CA, campus! You were all terrific and I felt VERY well cared for! |
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| I am home and resting comfortably. And, another shout-out to my lovely wife (Hil) for driving me back and forth and looking after me in my recovery at home! 💖 |
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| Just a side note: my weight at the hospital yesterday was 332lbs. My weight today (at the hospital) was 330lbs. 2lbs difference. My weight at home yesterday was: 325lbs. Today it was 324lbs. A 1lb difference. I was wearing virtually the same clothes (shoes, shorts and underwear). I was wearing a change of underwear, but they were the same types of briefs and V-neck T-shirts. I just thought this was “interesting”. |
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| On This Day In: |
| 2017 |
Never Forget |
| 2016 |
It’s All Greek To Me (Well, Latin Actually) |
| 2015 |
Truism |
| 2014 |
Thank You |
| 2013 |
Really |
| 2012 |
Ordinary Five Minutes Longer |
| 2011 |
The Wealth Of Sons (And Daughters) |
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