Update King of the Kidney Stones

[Guest guest]

Hey all,

I've had my two appointments here in Prescott. Both doctors confirm the

kidneys appear to be functioning normally through the external stints right

now and I am slowly recovering normal usage of the bladder from at least

one side. It appears one of the stones shifts slightly at night allowing

some seepage in to the bladder, so that's also good news.

However, both stomes are HUGE!! Eash one is better than 1.3 cm or nearly

1/2 inch in size. Since they are not actually inthe kidneys but in the

tubes just before the bladder, the decision was made not to use ultra sound

but the older urothroscopy (sp?) and laser method to remove them and then

insert temporary internal stints. The urologist is estimating a ont time,

2 to 3 hour procedure to remove both stones on an out-patient basis unless

he encounters any problems.

Once that is done, another few weeks to let the kidneys heal and hopefully

flush out any further developing stones and we have another short procedure

to remove the internal stints.

As for the actual timing of these operatioons, he's trying to schedule the

first one early in the week of the 21st. Our new exchange daughters arrive

on the evening of the 25th and we're hoping to have me well enough for the

three hour round-trip drive to pick them up at the Phoenix airport. But he

did warn me to carry a " ny can " in the car since a majority of the

patients with the internal stints have blader issues and need to use a

restroom every 30 minutes or so. Since the AZ DoT has closed the only rest

stop on the freeway between here and Phoenix for remodeling, there's a 45

minute stretch between possible bathroom locations. So, if the urge comes

up, I'll have two choices, either use a container in the van (not the best

way to impress two new teenaged girls) or stop on the side of the road and

" mark my territory " as one of our former daughters put it so delicately

when she had to make an emergency stop in the middle of nowhere. LOL I'll

let everyone know when I get the actual date and time for this first

procedure. Until then, I'm still lugging around two 4,000 ml bags attached

to the tubes from my back. We suspect TSA might consider me a " security

risk " at the airport with that much " unknown " liquid attached to my body.

(Sorry guy it violates the 3-1-1 rule and you can't put them through the

x-ray machine anyway.) LOL

Once we have these stones cleared, we're going to have to really look at

why I'm developing so many of them and why they are getting larger as we go

along. I suspect I'm looking at a major increase of calcium intake, at

least one tablet every time I eat anything, in addition to my regular

calcium dosage, along with a severly restricted diet that drastically

reduces intake of foods with oxcolic (sp?) acid, one of the two components

needed to form the stones. i.e. No more strawberries, raspberries, tea,

chocolate, all those good things in my future. Gues I'll have to learn to

like peaches, apples, appricots, etc, and find some sort of substitute for

chocolate. :-))

The only " up side " in all this is that the size of these current stones

should really qualify me as the " King of the Kidney Stones. " I'm not sure

if I really want that particular title. ;-)) And, of course the down

side, I've been put on short-term disability by my company so no paycheck

and up to 30 days before the disability claim is processed. :-((

More later as this saga continues.

Jerry Lamb

Prescott Valley, AZ

DS May 1, 2003 with Dr. K.

[Guest guest]

That is good news, Jerry. It is a good thing you sought medical

attention quickly and saved your kidneys. Being on dialysis is not a

desirable thing.

So, no rhubarb for you in the future? Too bad! Oxalic acid is not

very high in a lot of foods, so just print off your list of foods to be

avoided and carry it around so you don't accidently order one in a

restaurant.

The STENTS saved your kidneys! lol I have been wincing everytime I

read stint. I think you have been watching too much Red Neck TV.

I will miss lunch with you at the end of the month as I had to make

travel arrangements to go see my mom and move her to a nursing home or

assisted living. We will do it some other time, for sure.

Don said to ask you what you thought about our pilot blaming the ATC

for our fly around and redo the other day. He said the controller

brought us in too fast and too high. Don says we nearly crashed. Boy,

was it ever quiet on that aircraft! You could hear a pin drop. I was

just at the end of my book and tried to hurry and finish the story,

just in case. Actually, it was the co-pilot speaking, a woman.

Marta

[Guest guest]

Jerry

You are indeed the undisputed King! I will be looking forward to the

specifics of how it is decided to adjust your diet to minimize future

occurances. I am thrilled that we aren't praying for you to get a

kidney transplant!

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

You do still have a rocky road ahead, don't you? At least there is a

solution. All the rest is just temporary by-products on the road to

success. Glad to hear you're doing so well... and expecting more kids!

Just figured out you'd moved to Prescott AZ... I'd thot you were

somewhere in NV. What a beautiful choice you've made!

Bobbe in Paso. 285=24. 3/03. 171=16.