Sitting in the waiting room of the local surgicenter. Rocky
is in for a brief procedure to remove a kidney stone discovered in 2014 but not
reported to him or us at the time. He has visited the ER several times in
recent years. Each visit has had an indistinct cause. Surface symptoms only.
Common are tightness in middle chest and pain in the mid abdomen and radiating
from the right kidney region of his right back and side.
Either aches and pains of advancing age, or strenuous
activities without first body training; pains are frequent. They go away in a
week or so, and over the counter pain meds usually suffice. Rocky, too, has had
these experiences, but the ER staff are concerned that the frequency and
similarity indicates something is wrong. The last ER visit again involved a CT
Scan and the kidney stone was noticed and mentioned. It does not belong where
it is, so they advised removing it. In the process, we will learn more if
anything is wrong with the kidney, duct, or bladder. We expect no bad news. But
one never knows!
We remain optimistic and happy the wayward stone will no
longer be an issue. That will be a relief.
Could there be other complications? Sure, but the doctors
have not indicated to us any issues we should be concerned about. So, relief
again.
This incident reminds us of our vulnerability. Aging is part
of it. Free time adds thinking about these things and blowing them out of
proportion. Dwelling on minutia has its effects. And so, we worry.
I’m more philosophical about these things so shrug them off
unless more pressing symptoms are raised. Although I am prepared for such,
rarely are they present. So, I’m free and relaxed. Not so for Rocky. He is the
worrying sort. For those of you who know him, you know I’m right!
Well, enough of this. I’ll add an update when we know more
details. Meanwhile I expect the outcome to be just fine. Chances of something
more serious are minimal.
Signing off at 3:05 pm, Tuesday, November 14th.
OK,
signing in again. It is 3:22 pm on the same day. Surgeon just told me
everything went as smooth as silk. All is OK and no complications are expected
during recuperation. The stone was present for 3 years, so discomfort will
likely be more pronounced than most cases. Still, nothing out of the ordinary.
They will page me in 20 minutes to go through the aftercare routines and meds.
Then we will go home as soon as grogginess wears off. We should be home by 4:30
pm.
We are home. It is 5:15. Rocky is resting comfortably.
Hungry because he has been fasting since bedtime Monday evening at 9 pm. Only
water and a little tea in the morning. So, we have finished eating a modest
meal he was looking forward to. Then early to bed for the two of us. That will
be 8 pm!
This incident – kidney stone removal – was just another road
bump on life’s journey. Some of us have more bumps than others do. But only a
bump just the same.
I think we humans are tougher than we think. It helps not to
worry over it. Tell that to Rocky! I have many times and still he worries and
the bumps just keep on coming! There’s a moral in there somewhere!
Be kind to one another in the meantime.
November 15, 2017
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