I updated my facebook, but just getting around to here. Tuesday thus week I had my first follow up and labs. My output was dropping so they adjusted some of my medications. While at that appt the nurse commented that there was some fluid seeping from my incision and since I am up and moving more that can happen.
Wednesday I called in because my output was even less and I told her it looked like I spilled water on my pants, but sure didn't remember doing that and that by getting mirrors involved
I could see that there was dripping at the bottom of my incision. She said to put some gauze on it and not to worry as long as it was clear. If it became red, or had an odor to let her know. Well it got to the point that gauze was futile so (cover your eyes guys) I started laying a maxi pad over it to soak it up. And it did, they would be saturated within a couple hours.
Thursday was my next labs. Still very low output, still soaking through pads at a ridiculous rate. Came over, did labs, got home, phone rang. First they said something about adjusting the meds some more. About 15 minutes later they called and wanted me at the hospital they had a room for me.
AT the hospital they sonogramed my kidney, then took me down to do my very first round of hemodialysis. When I got back to the room they tried to "collect" some of the fluid that was coming out. While I was lying down she didn't have much luck, when she stood me up it just ran out. It was like I was peeing down my leg, only I was doing it through my incision instead of "normal" places.
They sent that in to be tested and discovered that it was in fact urine, and I was in fact peeing down my leg through my incision.
. Once that was determined, that scheduled me for surgery.
In " my language" my understanding is one of the tubes connecting the kidney to the bladder had a pinhole leak in it. That is why there was "seeping" on Tuesday. By Thursday, that pinhole had burst and was filling my cavity around the kidney with urine instead of transporting it o the bladder so it was coming out through the incision.
So Thursday night they took me back in and fixed the leak.
. They have a small stent in there for about a month or so to help support it while it heals, then that will be removed at an office visit. I am on a bladder catheter because she wants my bladder to rest and heal after the repair surgery. But the good news is, the kidney itself has been waking up and making itself at home while the bladder and connecting tubes were giving me fits. So now that everything is hooked up and patched up I am "outputting" like crazy again. I won't share the numbers of "buckets" they have drained out of my catheter bag....but a term involving race horses comes to mind.
Don't know when they plan to send me home, one doctor early this morning said that tomorrow is on the table. The other doctor mentioned leaving the catheter in a few days. I want to stay until the catheter is removed, and I don't want the catheter removed until they are sure it is ok to do so. So I'm not sure what's up there.
I feel fantastic. I went for a walk around the hall yesterday and my husband said I hadn't walked that good in years. I still have some diet restrictions that are hard to follow.....phosphorous is the big one and it seems to be in everything!
My creatinine level is in th 4 s......that's something in your blood and in your urine that helps gauge how well thebkidneys are doing their job. 1 is good, 6 is bad in a normal person, I had been in the teens. I haven't been in the 4s in many years.....so that is more goodnews.
As always your prayers and pixie dust are very much appreciated!
One of my consumers is gonna have to start dialysis in the near future !!I can see how tired she is looking over the last few months so am not surprised !! She has been on restriced fluids for a LONG time and is very good about it !!She already has the shunt in her arm so that;s one less thing to do!!
we'll know why.
