Facing a Kidney Stone Operation and so anxious...update

jjones59

I haven't posted much in a long time but I need some advice. I had my daughter Audrey back in May. Throughout the entire pregnancy I suffered from awful kidney stones. I was hospitalized and closely monitored due to the awful pain. Because I was pregnant I couldn't have xrays so we just sort of watched how I felt.

 Fast forward to New Years  Eve, I ended up back in the emergency room with awful pain. Kidney stones (4) are acting up again and one has moved closer to my bladder. It's 9 mm, not that painful actually, well now its not painful.

 I've been seeing a urologist for the last month and tomorrow I go to the appointment, to see whether or not I have to have surgery, with the stent. I am ABSOLUTLEY terrified. I am just freaked out because I dont' want to do it and since I live 400 miles from any family wondering how I am going to take care of Audrey. Many have offered to come help but still I still feel like she's mine. 

Anyone else face surgery while you have a little one, what did you do?

 

Thanks in advance!!!

indika236

Hello! I had to have spine surgery when P was 4 months old....and then I wasn't allowed to lift her for 5 weeks afterward. I also live 2500 miles from my closest family members. My grandma ended up flying out help us, but mainly DH took care of the baby and I. It was really hard, but you will get through it. Good luck!

CarlaAndJames

I don't know how invasive that surgery is, so I don't know if this compares, but I had my gallbladder out laproscopically when LO was 10 weeks old. The pumping/dumping and allowing others to feed her (at the time she was just starting on bottles and wouldn't take one with me in the room) was the hardest part for me. 

Accept any help anyone offers, and know that you'll be on your feet again soon. You'll still be able to enjoy plenty of sweet cuddle moments while you're recuperating. And just think, once it's over you'll be able to live without all the pain from the kidney stones, so you'll be an even better mommy! I was apprehensive about what felt like 'elective' surgery on my gallbladder, but getting it removed was the best decision ever! I've been painfree ever since! 

FrankieandTyler

Hi, just wanted to say that i feel for you with these kidney stones. My mom has been an absolute factory for them for years and my DH has had two (the last one when LO was 2weeks old). I have seen both my mom and H buckle at the knees. They say it's like having a baby especially for men. My mom said she'd rather have a baby because at least you get something out of all that pain!

My H was able to pass one with no problem (other than a lot of pain!) and one he was given a stint.

My mom has had the surgery where they go in and 'blast' them into smaller pieces. She fretted the surgery but was very glad she did it.

I wish you all the luck and a quick recovery. Ask for help and accept it. You're a mom but you're also human!

sandra43230

I guess I'm not sure what kind of surgery you are facing, but I will tell you, as someone who has had a few kidney stones (one 10mm) the surgery that I had to have is a piece of cake!

 The rest of this post may be TMI for those of you that are a bit squemish.

They first tried to blast it with a lithotripsy (sp?). That didn't really work. After that they decided to go "fishing" for it. They went up through the bladder and ureter to the kidney and tried to grab it with a basket type thing. I also had to receive a stent. To be honest the worst part about that was when they took it out. It wasn't even necessarily painful, but it definitely felt wierd.

 After each surgery I was up and about the next day. It wasn't anything that I needed to be laid up for at all. The stent sometimes made me a little uncomfortable, but it was nothing compared to the pain of the kidney stone.

 Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions you don't wanna ask on here. I've been through several kidney stone surgeries. 

angiekillaire

I feel you're pain with the kidney stones. I too was hospitalized when pregnant and after with them. They are terribly painful! Have they spoken to you about how invasive it will be to have surgery? As far as I know its usually not that invasive. They usually go in and just break them up so you can pass them. I would set up as much help as I can ahead of time. I would also make sure you know what kind of recovery time you're looking at and what to expect after. Good luck and I'm sure you'll feel much better after you get rid of those damn things! 

P.S. I make sure to drink a lot of water and that helps prevent them. Its worked for me so far, but its a pain to remember to drink all that water.  

jjones59

Thanks everyone for the advice and sandra43230 you have a pm.

Kara03

I would ask about lithotripsy first since it is 9mm.  You most likely won't be able to pass it which is why they will put in a stent.  I had a stent put in when dd was 2 months old.  I don't want to scare you but I was in terrible pain.  I was in the hospital for 2 days.  I was not able to pass my 9 mm stone after 2 weeks with the stent so they scheduled me for lithotripsy.  ( Usually you have to make an appt and it takes 1 -2 weeks to get in) This was a breeze and I felt fine afterwards.  The stent had to remain in for another few days after  so the pieces of stone could pass.  The stent was in for about a month total.