My Kidney Stone - Evansville Deaconess Hospital
This story is a continuation of my healthcare experiences with my kidney stone. You can read the first part dealing with the Henderson Kentucky healthcare system here.
The Evansville Urologist
Because of the pain I had experienced on Wednesday, I was strictly sticking to a schedule of Lortabs; I didn’t want to take any chances. My mother took a half day from work to drive me to Evansville while my wife stayed at home and watched the kids.
I knew this place was different the moment we pulled up to the Urologist. We were early incase they could get us in early, even though they said that the schedule was packed; I had gotten this appointment only due to a cancellation. The doctor’s office was VERY nice! Lots of open space and plenty of receptionists to help people. I registered and was filling out the new patient information when they called me back.
After checking height and weight (I’m embarrassed to say I’ve gained 11 pounds since I last weighed in) and donated a urine sample, I finished filling out my paperwork; good thing to, because it was time to get an x-ray. I have a long torso, so they had to take 3 x-rays instead of 2 to make sure to get a complete picture of my bladder.
The doctor came in and went over the situation. At 6 mm, it was doubtful that I would pass the stones. Apparently the CT scan results from Henderson Methodist hospital weren’t the best and the x-rays didn’t give an exact position of the stone; as such, they couldn’t use ultrasounds to break up the stone. The next choice was to go in with a tube to get the stone, or break up the stone in the tube with a laser. I would need to have a stint implanted to minimize scaring of my tubes; if those tubes got scars, it could close the entire tube and cause serious problems with my kidney.
We scheduled surgery for Monday March 17th (the same day I was supposed to see the Henderson urologist for an initial appointment). There were 3 pre-surgery tests (EKG and bloodwork) they wanted, so we took care of that while in Evansville. Also, because of the uncontrolled pain Wednesday, the urologist prescribed some stronger pain medication.
An Uncomfortable Sunday
Thursday through Sunday was relatively pain free. I didn’t use a single pain pill once on Saturday.
Sunday was another story.
The pain started late Sunday morning; I took the stronger pain medication and waited for the pain to go away. After 45 minutes, the pain had SLIGHTLY lessened, so we called the urologist. His call service took the information and said they would page the on-call doctor. An hour later, and no call, we called the call service back; they took the information again, and said they would page the doctor. The pain medication finally kicked in, but we never received a call from the doctor.
Evansville Deaconess Hospital
We woke early Monday morning to head to Evansville Deaconess hospital. My inlaws came to watch the boys, and my parents drove my wife and I to Deaconess. We checked in and waited maybe 3 minutes before I was called back to surgical prep. Getting undressed and an IV, I had to wait 30 uncomfortable minutes on a gurney to be taken to surgery.
The surgery took place, but there was something unexpected about the stone itself. I’m not sure as to they why’s, but they couldn’t get the stone out or break it up. I didn’t talk to the doctor, but my wife and parents did; apparently something about the wire bending against the stone and almost breaking off. So the doctor implanted the stint to allow better flow from my kidneys; the blockage of this flow is what causes the intense pain with kidney stones.
The care I received from the staff at Evansville Deaconess hospital was exceptional, A+!
The Future?
I have another appointment with the urologist Thursday March 27 after work. Supposedly we’re going to schedule another surgery so they can finally get the stone out. I can’t wait to get this over with; the stone is a dull pressure in my side, but the stint causes my bladder to feel full on a constant basis.
If you’re in the Evansville Indiana or Henderson Kentucky area, I advise you head to Evansville’s Deaconess hospital and let them work it.
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