I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Transplant Discussion => Topic started by: kellyt on December 22, 2008, 11:40:50 AM

Title: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on December 22, 2008, 11:40:50 AM
Whew!  That's done, finally.

The doctor said I could watch the removal of the stent on the monitor if I wanted to, plus I could see my bladder and stuff.  Well, I wanted to.  So I was all prepped and ready to go when I saw them moving the camera around and then realized they were headed straight for my privates!  I wish they would have told me to look AFTER the camera was in my bladder!   Traumatized!!!!!!!    :o
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: Rerun on December 22, 2008, 11:42:24 AM

         :pics;


Just Kidding....... we don't really want pictures!  I'm glad it is out and you are home!
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: willieandwinnie on December 22, 2008, 12:05:44 PM
 :clap; Kelly. Glad it is over with.  :thumbup;
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kidney4traci on December 22, 2008, 01:14:31 PM

Kel -I am glad you posted this... why do you have to have this stint in for so long?  6 weeks?  What for, does it hurt?  Many ? from the newbie about to go through it..... thanks!!!
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: Mimi on December 22, 2008, 01:27:04 PM
Whew!  That's done, finally.

The doctor said I could watch the removal of the stent on the monitor if I wanted to, plus I could see my bladder and stuff.  Well, I wanted to.  So I was all prepped and ready to go when I saw them moving the camera around and then realized they were headed straight for my privates!  I wish they would have told me to look AFTER the camera was in my bladder!   Traumatized!!!!!!!    :o



Ha, ha, ha don't be traumatized Kelly.  Once yoou get ESRD all dignity goes out the window.



Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on December 22, 2008, 02:05:16 PM
Don't you know it, MiMi!    :rofl;


Traci, the new kidney is connected directly to the bladder and the stent is placed to keep the ureter open and keep it (the ureter) from bending or kinking (I think it's the ureter).  Anyway, it also helps take the pressure off the sutures so that it does not become weak and cause leaking.  This is how it was explained to me.  I hope I understood it correctly.  At six weeks that's all healed and the kidney is connected nicely (or should be anyway).   
Six weeks seems to be the magic #, although sometimes they can take it out early if it slips or starts causing you problems.  They don't want to leave it in too long, as it will start to cause problems.  There was absolutely no pain (physical, that is :rofl;).  I was just not ready at all to see my foof displayed on the monitor screen covered in Betadine!    :rofl;    Pardon my language!   :rofl;  I was not at all prepaired..    :o

I tried to get it out last week, but they had no appointments.  Mine was causing a little discomfort to my bladder ever so often making it feel like I had to pee all the time, but nothing I couldn't deal with.  You won't even know it's there.

My doctor was also a big joker.  He was holding up the stent after he removed it and shaking it at me asking me if I wanted to keep it for my scrap book!  I said "God no!  I don't even want to look at it!"   I saw enough.  The inside of my bladder was really cool!  I expected it to be smooth, but it's not.  It looked alien like.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kidney4traci on December 22, 2008, 02:40:14 PM
 :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;  you have me howling with mental pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on December 22, 2008, 03:16:45 PM
All I can say is Thank God they don't have a monitor for you to watch at the Gyno's office!   :P

I've never been one of those "Know your body" kind of gals.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: monrein on December 22, 2008, 03:44:17 PM
Whew!  That's done, finally.

The doctor said I could watch the removal of the stent on the monitor if I wanted to, plus I could see my bladder and stuff.  Well, I wanted to.  So I was all prepped and ready to go when I saw them moving the camera around and then realized they were headed straight for my privates!  I wish they would have told me to look AFTER the camera was in my bladder!   Traumatized!!!!!!!    :o



Ha, ha, ha don't be traumatized Kelly.  Once yoou get ESRD all dignity goes out the window.





You can say that again.  I usually start stripping off my clothes before anyone asks me to and then I realize I'm at the dentist's.   :rofl;
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: RichardMEL on December 22, 2008, 03:46:24 PM
hey glad it is out kelly but spare a (small) thought for we boys and how they have to go in....

ARGH!!! I sure as hell do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT want to see any bloody part of that!!!!!!!
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: Wenchie58 on December 23, 2008, 08:05:17 AM
Stent removal....LOL  it's such a traumatic thought for most...was for me too!  I took the easy route, I "passed" mine 16 days after transplant.  When I realized what I had in my hand at midnight one night I called the transplant "on call" and asked her....is this little tube with a curl on each end my stent?  She said....where did you get your stent?  I replied.....Ummmmm...where did you leave it?  It was uncomfortable, but not painful...no after effects...they were shocked and made me bring the stent in to them so they could make sure it was all there.  I did however ask for a discount because they didn't have to remove it!    :rofl;
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kidney4traci on December 23, 2008, 09:27:07 AM
OMG - More mental pictures!!!  UUUGHH!
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on December 23, 2008, 02:25:00 PM
I was told that if I passed it just to let them know.  After reading about the stent removal, I was hoping I would pass it.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: RichardMEL on December 23, 2008, 07:59:22 PM
I hate to bring this up but.... if it's a male and it's attached to the urether???? uh... does that mean it might get passed out the hard way??? my brain is spinning out on that idea!?!

this gets worse each time I think about it!!!  :rofl;

(yes, I am a big wuss!)
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on December 23, 2008, 08:19:35 PM
I'm not sure about that.  You should definitely ask!  I'm a whimp when it comes to stuff like this, but not for other things.  Really wierd!

Looking at the stent inside the body - I could see one end perfectly well (that's the end they lassowed with the camera thingy), but the other side was tucked inside the bladder or kidney or something.  He drew my a picture before going in, but once the camera was in nothing looked like the photo.   :rofl;  Maybe I was just too traumatized by what had happened earlier!

He just pulled the stent right out, so I don't even know what was holding it in in the first place!  Mine was a white tube looking thing with a black cap on the end.  Nothing like the photo they showed me.  Maybe the other side had a hook on it.  I refused to look at it when it was out!   See...whimp!

I had no bleeding or problems following the removal, BTW.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kidney4traci on December 24, 2008, 05:33:12 AM
Either way, I'm with you RichardMel, I can't see passing that, especially for a guy!!!
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: okarol on December 24, 2008, 10:22:17 AM

I went to visit a transplant patient last week. She showed me her scrapbook with all the photos, menus, receipts and memorabilia from her transplant. Taped to one page was the stent! I never thought to ask to keep it, but she saved EVERYTHING! It was kind of cool because I never really looked when they removed Jenna's.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kraze on December 28, 2008, 08:45:57 PM
So my brother just walked into the living room to ask why I was LAUGHING OUT LOUD!  This story of your stent removal is hysterical.  I too was traumatized by  my stent removal and was not at ALL prepared for the surgeon to tell me I could WATCH the procedure.  Although I guess it's cool to say I've seen my own bladder - how many people can say that?  I may save it for 2nd date conversation instead of opening with it on a first date though.....what do you think?  hee hee
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on December 28, 2008, 08:50:49 PM
My only advice to others is to wait until they say the camera is inside your bladder to look!  Then close your eyes when they pull it out!

And DON'T take a date with you to the stent removal!  ha ha   Not even your MOTHER!!!!   :rofl;     no wait...  :puke;
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: RichardMEL on December 28, 2008, 09:25:59 PM
I am SO not looking!!!! I think if/when the time comes I shall prefer to think about having a date with kraze.... yeah.. that will occupy my mind just nicely I think!!!!  :2thumbsup;  :rofl;  :clap;
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: Lucinda on December 29, 2008, 12:38:04 AM
Cheree was very brave about having hers out.  Never said much about it except that it was getting done and then when it was done she said it was a bit unpleasant but not too bad.  I think the biopsies were probably worse for her.  I know I would hate having to lie still for hours and not be able to move after having one.  You are all brave soldiers as far as I am concerned.  xx
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: adairpete on December 30, 2008, 03:44:34 PM
Oh wow! Now I'm not looking forward to a transplant-a stent is placed for 6 weeks!  I had a stent placed when I had a kidney stone removed by laser lithotripsy and I'm still traumatized by that damn thing!  The urologist wanted me to leave it in for 1 week and I pulled it out myself after 3 days-I couldn't take it anymore!  Everytime I peed I would lie doubled up on the couch for 30 min before the cramping and pain would stop long enough for me to move around (and I was on vicodin at the time!).  It was uncomfortable to sit, stand, walk, and there's 6 weeks of that! Ugh! 
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: Wenchie58 on December 30, 2008, 03:52:00 PM
Until the.....uhhhhh "passing" I couldn't even tell the stent was there.  It caused no discomfort at all.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on December 30, 2008, 07:08:01 PM
I agree with Wenchie.  I didn't know it was there until the 5th week when it was poking my bladder.  No pain at all!  Just felt like I had to pee.  Really, it was no big deal.  But I'm sorry you had such trouble with your last stent.  Sounds horrible!
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: donnia on January 01, 2009, 08:27:05 AM
Oh my goodness Kelly!!!   I was not offered the option to watch..... and boy am I glad!!!!   :flower;

Oh, I never felt any discomfort with my stent either.   :cheer:  (Except when they removed it   :boxing; )
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: Chris on January 01, 2009, 03:40:46 PM
Oh wow! Now I'm not looking forward to a transplant-a stent is placed for 6 weeks!  I had a stent placed when I had a kidney stone removed by laser lithotripsy and I'm still traumatized by that damn thing!  The urologist wanted me to leave it in for 1 week and I pulled it out myself after 3 days-I couldn't take it anymore!  Everytime I peed I would lie doubled up on the couch for 30 min before the cramping and pain would stop long enough for me to move around (and I was on vicodin at the time!).  It was uncomfortable to sit, stand, walk, and there's 6 weeks of that! Ugh! 

Pulled it out yourself? ???
I'm thinking either you have medical instruments at home or that this is totally in a different location compared to a transplant. I never knew mine was in there.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on January 01, 2009, 05:21:17 PM
I'd like to know what she stuck up her "pee hole" (pardon my French, that sounds discusting I know) to get it out!    <faint>   Are you talking about a catheter or a stent?   
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: Chris on January 01, 2009, 05:26:18 PM
I'd like to know what she stuck up her "pee hole" (pardon my French, that sounds discusting I know) to get it out!    <faint>   Are you talking about a catheter or a stent?   

I should have used that also in my post asking her. Even with a catherter, YOUCH!!

Maybe it is different with females, but in men they have to deflate the bulb that holds it in and to help seal it so it does not leak. If we pulled that out, that's gonna hurt and cause some sort of damage.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: chris73 on January 01, 2009, 05:31:48 PM
i have read somewhere some stents have a "cord" on the outside of the body ..where they can be removed easily  with out any discomfort...Chris
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on January 01, 2009, 06:09:47 PM
That's interesting.  Mine didn't have a chord, but that doesn't mean that others don't.

Yes, the catheters in women also have an inflatable "balloon" that holds them in place.  There's a button on the tubing that they use a sortof "key" to push and it deflates the "balloon".  You could definitely remove that yourself if you know how to deflate it.

Again, that's if we're all talking about the same thing here.  My stent was 100% inside me.  I would have been way too tempted to yank that puppy out myself had there been a chord!  But still...  ouch!
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: Chris on January 01, 2009, 06:18:33 PM
I didn't have a cord either,but thinking unsafe for a person to yank it out without knowing what to do. It's way up there and the tract curves. Yanking could say bye bye to the new connection to the new kidney I would think, not to mention painful.

Again we do not have all the facts on her case though, we're jumping at straws right now.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: adairpete on January 01, 2009, 07:11:39 PM
I definitely had a stent-I still have it actually along with 2 of my 4 kidney stones.  Weird, I know, but...well, I don't have a good excuse so don't force me to make up a bad one!  No medical instruments were needed to remove it-it had a long black string attached to the end and the urologist said I could take it out myself (he said it was just like pulling out a tampon, but I didn't believe him since what does a 60-something year old man know about pulling out a tampon?).  Anyway, removing it didn't hurt, but it made my kidney spasm for a good 15 min, which hurt like hell, but when it was all over I felt much better! 
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on January 01, 2009, 10:01:17 PM
God Bless you!  I couldn't have done that!  ugh!
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: Chris on January 01, 2009, 10:09:42 PM
-it had a long black string attached to the end and the urologist said I could take it out myself (he said it was just like pulling out a tampon, but I didn't believe him since what does a 60-something year old man know about pulling out a tampon?).  

You got me there for sure. How would the doc know anything about that is beyond me :urcrazy;

He must have had a very strange upbringing of toys to play with. I don't know, but that's just not right and creepy to say.

I doubt you will have that type for a transplant though. No one I have talked to who has had a transplant has had that type.
Title: Re: I got my stent out today
Post by: kellyt on January 02, 2009, 08:31:29 AM
Thinking back, when the urologist went over all the "complications" from pulling the stent out I'm really surprised they allow the patient to remove their own stent.  Thankfully, I had no complications.

I'm just thankful now that I was not employed to remove my stent personally.  It was traumatic enough at the professionals office!   :rofl;