there’s a serious shortage of radiologists.
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@mart That sounds like a lot to go through, but I’m really glad the tube change is scheduled before your tumour operation. It makes sense that it will be easier for you to manage that way. I hope the irritation around the tube settles down soon, it must be uncomfortable. Sending you strength for both procedures, and I’ll be thinking of you. Please take good care of yourself.
I think the Nephrostomy tube is the only long-term answer. A kidney to bladder stent has been tried. That might have been OK but the bladder is atonic, so it can overfill without discomfort. This puts back-pressure on my only kidney, so making it unable to do its job properly. Some water still makes its way into the bladder but most flows without hindrance into the bag. Now that the bag is a permanent feature, the all important eGFR (blood filtration) figure has gone from 10 to 31. Still low but I don’t feel ill anymore. 10 was near on kidney failure.
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I’m learning so much on this thread. But you’d think someone might have some better nephrostomy tube technology so that you didn’t have to keep it in place with plasters. Perhaps one day you’ll have an AI component sending rude words to the hospital when they haven’t changed it in time.
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There is the plaster but the tube is also attached to the skin with a solitary stitch. Plaster is wrapped around the small plastic Nephrostomy tube near to where it goes into the back. This is where the stitch holds on to the tube. It is this that has caused a bit of trouble this time, probably because I am getting older and more saggy and my girth is getting larger . This could be the reason why the plaster wrapped around the tube is tending to be pulled into the hole and causing a little pain.
Mrs mart is good at changing the SKATER Fix™ dressing and adjusting the tube so it doesn’t pull on the stitch but the weekly job has become more difficult to make a pain-free operation as the weeks have gone by. I’ll be mentioning this to the doctor when the tube is being changed on the 10th of September.
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You’re really lucky to have such a caring and skillful wife looking after you. Sending you strength and warm wishes 
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This week is a medical one. I’m feeling apprehensive. A face to face talk with the GP today reviewing care. I didn’t ask for the appointment, the GP arranged it and telephoned me.
Knowing it was coming, some weeks have been spent getting all the jobs done around the house that needed doing (mostly getting the new garden room fixed up). I might not be in a good enough place to do them later.
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Lets hope it’s because you have responded well to treatment Mart and they can relax some of your medication/treatments…
It’s not always bad news when you get called in…
And I know you are a ‘Glass half full’ kind of a bloke…
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I’ve had the appointment. It was mostly to check on my mood and how well I am feeling. Also to offer support/help. I don’t need any physical or emotional help/support. The trouble is that Mrs mart sometimes feels the strain. She’s the one who looks after all the appointments I have to keep. Also the Nephrostomy dressing changes, plus attaching me to the bed come night time and making sure everything is draining OK.
No physical help with all that is necessary but she does sometimes feel the emotional strain. Tears are not far away if we talk about it too much. Tears nearly happened at the doctor’s this morning (she always comes in with me). I try to convince her all will be OK …and I do actually feel OK. Still pretty active and have a good appetite for food and life. Even so, we know I have what I have. It get’s buried away mostly but it comes to the surface once in a while. Maybe I should accept emotional support for her sake.
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Yes Mart, it’s the rest of the family that worries on our account, especially the wives.
I know Mrs Fox worries about me because I can be so stupid at times, still thinking that I can do some of the things that I used to and go off for long bike rides, or try a bit of running while out walking.
I like to think that I know my body, and it will tell me if I should slow down…It doesn’t always though does it…
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When I get over this next bout of treatment, I’m going to get and exercise bike and I resolve to use it during the winter months.
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Good on yer Mart…Please keep us posted of your progress…
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Mrs mart and I are going to a carvery for lunch/dinner. The last carefree day before the Wednesday and Thursday procedures and expected period of difficulty.
From experience, procedures on the bladder cause a lot of bleeding. When the waterworks is working properly, this will all flush out naturally over a number of days. The worry is that my water doesn’t go in that direction. It goes straight out of the kidney and into a bag. A small amount does get into the bladder but bot a lot. It especially won’t go down there in view of the fact that the Nephrostomy tube is being replaced. A new tube is always more efficient at diverting the water away than one that has been in place for a while, so even less goes into the bladder.
This is a worry I never thought to mention at the time to the doctor putting me forward for the op. I’ll mention it on the day and hope the worry isn’t well founded …or what can be done if it is.
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Good luck for tomorrow Mart, and enjoy your carvery today…A lot of the garden centres here are now doing carvery’s, and most of them locally sourced. I never have the Yorkshire puddings, it leaves more space for the vegetables…
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I’m sure the medical team have ways to ensure the bladder is flushed to remove any excess blood during recovery. I’m guessing some will be absorbed by the body, but that infection risk is higher and that they would monitor for this post-surgery.
Enjoy your carvery meal which sounds yummy. Best wishes for your surgery and recovery.
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Phase one today (Nephrostomy tube change). In by 12.00 midday for a 2.00 p.m. job. Local anaesthetic.
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Hi
Best of wishes mart,hope it goes well.
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Thanks and thanks I’ve been through the procedure a few times now, so it ought to be OK.
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Phase 1 completed. A piece of cake apart from when the local anaesthetic goes in.
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