Despite being ill, I do try to do what I can around the house to make Gemma's life a bit easier. Whether it's putting a load of washing in the machine, or doing some dishes. I do my best.
BUT.... I hate sorting socks. I can sit on the couch while I sort out the soggy pile of socks and put them in pairs to go on the sock hanger (yes, we have a device to hang multiple pairs of socks from), but it is mind numbing.
It might not sound much to you, but for someone with a short attention spa.... Ooh, a penny..... n, it is quite hard going. Especially if I have had to take some of the rank tasting oramorph to control my pain.
ARGH..... I just drop 3 pairs SEE, it aggravates me.
Anyhoo, I have been well enough to drive today. YEY. So I took Gemma to work AND picked her up again
Being home alone nearly every week day gets very lonely. If it wasn't for having my bunny companion Fudge, and now Buddy the hamster too, I would crack up. They give me something to keep focused on and stops me from lazing around on the couch 24-7.
But lately I have found myself needing human contact of some sort. Especially how most the people I have regular chat with are in the US and are a few hours behind. So they are sleeping until after my lunchtime! But fortunately, my love of rabbits and all things furry put me in touch with a few more people. Some of whom are in the same time zone as me too! One person I have really got on with, is someone else who is at home all day, but for reasons a little different to myself. We have a good laugh through facebook and text. But, she has a dark sense of humour. The jokes she sends are just the sort of thing I laugh at till it hurts!
I just think it's good for me to have someone to chat to, and it means someone else isn't feeling as lonely as me too.
Plus it means I get rid of some stupidness before Gemma gets home!
Makes daily life a little easier too. Thanks Kelly
Before I sign off, I want to tell everyone how proud I am of Gemma for all the weight she has lost. She is doing so well, which means she gets to buy lots of new clothes as she shrinks out of what she has! But I don't care. She is worth every penny and more.
Stay well everyone
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Monday 20 February 2012
This Day Sucks
ARGH. That's how I feel just now.
My left kidney is playing up today and it really hurts.
Gemma has been calling me to make sure I'm OK, which does help me feel good.
I don't know what I would do without Gemma now. I'm sure she is an angel that has been sent down to look after me!
Another way of feeling good during a pain attack, is my little bunny Fudge.
Fudge will sit on her rug in front of the TV and watch me for a while. Then when I'm not looking, she will sprint over and launch herself up onto the couch and onto me. Only sometimes she will dig her paws right into my kidney! But it doesn't matter, because she will then sit on my chest and stare at me before licking my face all over.
Now if this happens to you and it doesn't make you feel good, then something must be wrong!
The worst thing about this kidney pain, is the fact it stops me doing stuff around the house for Gemma. I just want one day without any pain so that I can blitz the house and get it nice and tidy for her. I truly hate the fact I cant even stand doing the dishes for long before the pain gets really bad. All I want is to give Gemma a nice easy life when she gets home from a long day at work.
On Facebook, there are a few groups for sufferers of cystinuria. In these groups, I have found some fantastic new friends who make me feel like I have known them all my life - they feel more like family that I just have not yet met.
If I am having a bad day, I know they will be there for me and know exactly how I feel. And the same is for if any of them need someone to talk to, they will always find someone soon - including myself.
Also in the groups is the saviour of cystinurics - Dr David Goldfarb - who is doing research into the disease with the hope of finding a prevention and possibly a cure. Dr Goldfarb and his team give myself and a lot of others hope that we may not have to suffer this for too many more years. Although I do know that it is not definite that a cure can be found.
But it's nice to have hope after 20 years of pain.
My left kidney is playing up today and it really hurts.
Gemma has been calling me to make sure I'm OK, which does help me feel good.
I don't know what I would do without Gemma now. I'm sure she is an angel that has been sent down to look after me!
Another way of feeling good during a pain attack, is my little bunny Fudge.
Fudge will sit on her rug in front of the TV and watch me for a while. Then when I'm not looking, she will sprint over and launch herself up onto the couch and onto me. Only sometimes she will dig her paws right into my kidney! But it doesn't matter, because she will then sit on my chest and stare at me before licking my face all over.
Now if this happens to you and it doesn't make you feel good, then something must be wrong!
The worst thing about this kidney pain, is the fact it stops me doing stuff around the house for Gemma. I just want one day without any pain so that I can blitz the house and get it nice and tidy for her. I truly hate the fact I cant even stand doing the dishes for long before the pain gets really bad. All I want is to give Gemma a nice easy life when she gets home from a long day at work.
On Facebook, there are a few groups for sufferers of cystinuria. In these groups, I have found some fantastic new friends who make me feel like I have known them all my life - they feel more like family that I just have not yet met.
If I am having a bad day, I know they will be there for me and know exactly how I feel. And the same is for if any of them need someone to talk to, they will always find someone soon - including myself.
Also in the groups is the saviour of cystinurics - Dr David Goldfarb - who is doing research into the disease with the hope of finding a prevention and possibly a cure. Dr Goldfarb and his team give myself and a lot of others hope that we may not have to suffer this for too many more years. Although I do know that it is not definite that a cure can be found.
But it's nice to have hope after 20 years of pain.
Sunday 19 February 2012
Best Wishes
Someone who I now consider a good friend, and a fellow cystinuric, is on his way, possibly there by now, to Chicago for what I would call life changing treatment to make his life a whole lot better.
He has travelled literally half way round the planet from his home in Australia for this, leaving his wife and children behind. Although I believe his wife will be joining him later.
I think this is a very brave thing he is doing.
I want to take this time to wish Andrew all the very best and I look forward to reading his future blogs and hopefully about how well his treatment has changed everything for the better.
I will raise a glass to you Andrew. Cheers.
Check out his blog http://shakesandstones.blogspot.com/
He has travelled literally half way round the planet from his home in Australia for this, leaving his wife and children behind. Although I believe his wife will be joining him later.
I think this is a very brave thing he is doing.
I want to take this time to wish Andrew all the very best and I look forward to reading his future blogs and hopefully about how well his treatment has changed everything for the better.
I will raise a glass to you Andrew. Cheers.
Check out his blog http://shakesandstones.blogspot.com/
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Links
Just wanted to post some links that I find useful.
http://shakesandstones.blogspot.com/ This is for one of my cystinuria family, Andrew. Someone who is an inspiration to a lot of people, especially me, for the way he carries on with daily life despite his illnesses.
http://www.facebook.com/globalgenesproject This is a fantastic project that is helping to find prevention and cures for genetic disease. Please follow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cystinuria This is the Wikipedia page for cystinuria - The genetic disease I, and a lot of others unfortunately suffer.
http://facebook.com/
http://www.cystinuria.org/index.php The International Cystinuria Foundation
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/f5rs.html One of the animal shelters I support. You can sponsor one animal, or donate to the rescue as a whole! Very worthwhile
http://shakesandstones.blogspot.com/ This is for one of my cystinuria family, Andrew. Someone who is an inspiration to a lot of people, especially me, for the way he carries on with daily life despite his illnesses.
http://www.facebook.com/globalgenesproject This is a fantastic project that is helping to find prevention and cures for genetic disease. Please follow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cystinuria This is the Wikipedia page for cystinuria - The genetic disease I, and a lot of others unfortunately suffer.
http://facebook.com/
http://www.cystinuria.org/index.php The International Cystinuria Foundation
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/f5rs.html One of the animal shelters I support. You can sponsor one animal, or donate to the rescue as a whole! Very worthwhile
Timeline - 1200-1300 WTH!
It just turns midday and I say to Fudge the bunny ''Time for lunch Boo'' (no-one else to talk to while Gemma is at work)
Then the phone rings - 'Hello, is that Mr Mooree?'
'No, it's Mr Moore!'
They reply 'Could I speak with Mr Mooree please'
I knew this was gonna suck!
After a quick explaination on how to pronounce my name, they continued 'OK Mr Mooree, I am calling from Consumer Lifestyles'
From now on, I will mark what I say with Me, and the telemarketer as AF (Annoying F**kwit)
Me ''I have had lots of calls from Consumer Lifestyles, I'm not answering your questions as I have said lots of times before''
AF ''I understand sir. Now can I ask who your telephone provider is''
What did they actually understand?
Me ''I said I'm not answering your questions!!!''
AF ''Was that BT?''
Am I in the right conversation here?
Me ''No, I did not say BT, I said....''
AF ''Oh sorry Sir, you are with TalkTalk''
Me ''Stop asking me questions. I will not tell you anything''
AF ''Have you thought about making any home improvements in the near future?''
Me ''Yes, I'm going to put this phone through the window in a minute!!!!''
AF ''You are thinking about windows! I will put that down''
Me ''NO YOU WILL NOT!''
AF ''Oh, do you want a conservatory?''
Me ''NO''
AF ''OK, I understand. You want windows''
Me ''NO''
AF ''Then what do you want?''
Me ''I want you to stop asking questions and to take me off your list. I am always getting these calls!''
AF ''You have never been asked these questions before''
Me ''I'm hanging up now''
AF ''Before you go, can I ask you one thing?''
Me ''Whats that?''
AF - Hangs up on me!!!!!!!!!
GRARGH Damn you to hell Consumer Lifestyles
Why did I not just hang up at the start?
When they do call, the caller display just says 'Out Of Area'.
Five minutes later, I got a call from someone saying that I had answered a survey saying I want new windows and a conservertory!
I hung up after a comment that may actually be illegal just to think!
If you Google Consumer Lifestyles Nuisance Calls, you will get page upon page of people complaining about them. I get at least 3 calls from them every week. In fact, it is only the first this week so I've been lucky.
Then I remembered a link my brother-in-law Craig sent me a while back http://egbg.home.xs4all.nl/english/counterscript.pdf
It is being printed so I can ask these questions next time I get a call. Cheers little bro.
We eventually got our lunch at 1 o'clock. By we, I mean me and Fudge. Yeah, thats right, she gets lunch too. She is my companion after all and saves me from going insane.
I've signed up to TPS - Telephone Preference Service - which basically puts my number on a 'Do not call or you will get fined £2000' list. Onle they cant exclude foreign call centres. Especially Consumer f**king lifestyles!
Oh well, lets see how the Telemarketers Counterscript works next time they call.
Hope you are all well
Until next time - Dont go changin'
Then the phone rings - 'Hello, is that Mr Mooree?'
'No, it's Mr Moore!'
They reply 'Could I speak with Mr Mooree please'
I knew this was gonna suck!
After a quick explaination on how to pronounce my name, they continued 'OK Mr Mooree, I am calling from Consumer Lifestyles'
From now on, I will mark what I say with Me, and the telemarketer as AF (Annoying F**kwit)
Me ''I have had lots of calls from Consumer Lifestyles, I'm not answering your questions as I have said lots of times before''
AF ''I understand sir. Now can I ask who your telephone provider is''
What did they actually understand?
Me ''I said I'm not answering your questions!!!''
AF ''Was that BT?''
Am I in the right conversation here?
Me ''No, I did not say BT, I said....''
AF ''Oh sorry Sir, you are with TalkTalk''
Me ''Stop asking me questions. I will not tell you anything''
AF ''Have you thought about making any home improvements in the near future?''
Me ''Yes, I'm going to put this phone through the window in a minute!!!!''
AF ''You are thinking about windows! I will put that down''
Me ''NO YOU WILL NOT!''
AF ''Oh, do you want a conservatory?''
Me ''NO''
AF ''OK, I understand. You want windows''
Me ''NO''
AF ''Then what do you want?''
Me ''I want you to stop asking questions and to take me off your list. I am always getting these calls!''
AF ''You have never been asked these questions before''
Me ''I'm hanging up now''
AF ''Before you go, can I ask you one thing?''
Me ''Whats that?''
AF - Hangs up on me!!!!!!!!!
GRARGH Damn you to hell Consumer Lifestyles
Why did I not just hang up at the start?
When they do call, the caller display just says 'Out Of Area'.
Five minutes later, I got a call from someone saying that I had answered a survey saying I want new windows and a conservertory!
I hung up after a comment that may actually be illegal just to think!
If you Google Consumer Lifestyles Nuisance Calls, you will get page upon page of people complaining about them. I get at least 3 calls from them every week. In fact, it is only the first this week so I've been lucky.
Then I remembered a link my brother-in-law Craig sent me a while back http://egbg.home.xs4all.nl/english/counterscript.pdf
It is being printed so I can ask these questions next time I get a call. Cheers little bro.
We eventually got our lunch at 1 o'clock. By we, I mean me and Fudge. Yeah, thats right, she gets lunch too. She is my companion after all and saves me from going insane.
I've signed up to TPS - Telephone Preference Service - which basically puts my number on a 'Do not call or you will get fined £2000' list. Onle they cant exclude foreign call centres. Especially Consumer f**king lifestyles!
Oh well, lets see how the Telemarketers Counterscript works next time they call.
Hope you are all well
Until next time - Dont go changin'
Monday 13 February 2012
X-rays. More chuffin x-rays
So I'm just back from the area hospital. I had two x-rays today. One for my jaw and one for my chest.
The chest x-ray was because after my last kidney stone removal op, I came out of hospital with a cough. That I still have! Although it is nothing like it was, apparently I have some damage to my lungs. A small section has collapsed and the rest of the lung has filled the space. It is not enough to cause any ailment, but it's still no fun to have these images taken. Lets hope my latest dose of antibiotics finally sort it out.
Now, my jaw x-ray. Just before Christmas, I got down on the floor to give my little bunny Fudge some attention. I was on my knees and leaning forward, like I was trying to do an impression of a dog. My right hand was on a rug and the rug was on the shiny laminate floor and it slid away suddenly, bringing my jaw into contact with the marble fire hearth that Fudge was sitting on. 3 fillings smashed out and 2 cracked teeth later, I took myself off to the dentist who did emergency patching of the fillings and one of the cracked teeth, but she ignored what I was saying about the other tooth saying ''it'll be fine. You wont need anything doe with it''. WRONG. Two days later my tooth shattered leaving a little peg shaped bit. But at least it didn't hurt anymore.
Now, the problem I have is that in the UK, a private dentist is not cheap, and the NHS dentists still charge a set fee. When you have an income smaller than Obama's fan base, it is not easy to get help.
But hey, at least I have my health. Oh. Hang on..............
Have a little giggle http://youtu.be/dDLxo0bZhR8 and this one too http://youtu.be/00PTLgoewjc
The chest x-ray was because after my last kidney stone removal op, I came out of hospital with a cough. That I still have! Although it is nothing like it was, apparently I have some damage to my lungs. A small section has collapsed and the rest of the lung has filled the space. It is not enough to cause any ailment, but it's still no fun to have these images taken. Lets hope my latest dose of antibiotics finally sort it out.
Now, my jaw x-ray. Just before Christmas, I got down on the floor to give my little bunny Fudge some attention. I was on my knees and leaning forward, like I was trying to do an impression of a dog. My right hand was on a rug and the rug was on the shiny laminate floor and it slid away suddenly, bringing my jaw into contact with the marble fire hearth that Fudge was sitting on. 3 fillings smashed out and 2 cracked teeth later, I took myself off to the dentist who did emergency patching of the fillings and one of the cracked teeth, but she ignored what I was saying about the other tooth saying ''it'll be fine. You wont need anything doe with it''. WRONG. Two days later my tooth shattered leaving a little peg shaped bit. But at least it didn't hurt anymore.
Now, the problem I have is that in the UK, a private dentist is not cheap, and the NHS dentists still charge a set fee. When you have an income smaller than Obama's fan base, it is not easy to get help.
But hey, at least I have my health. Oh. Hang on..............
Have a little giggle http://youtu.be/dDLxo0bZhR8 and this one too http://youtu.be/00PTLgoewjc
Tuesday 7 February 2012
Life after school
2 weeks after leaving school, I woke with an incredible pain in my side. I got downstairs and fell on the couch. It was 3 hours of agonising hell later that my dad came downstairs and found me. I was unable to shout for help so had to wait.
After a call to the doctor, we were on our way and 5 minutes later we were there. The doctor had a quick examination of me and said ''You have a kidney stone!''
Hmmm. I'd never even heard of this before. At least the pain killers will help and all I had to do was drink plenty of fluids and the stone will pass. But to make sure, an xray will be booked.
The next day, I felt better and recovered watching TV with my dad and the dogs.
My mother was away for a few days with a friend but couldnt believe what she was being told when she called to see how we all were!
''It wont be a kidney stone surely. He's only 16!'' said my mam. ''We'll see when the xray is done''
So a few weeks later I have my xray.
''Nothing, but the left kidney looks a little swollen, we'll get another done with a contrasting dye''. This is my new GP, Dr Baker. The first time I had met him too. I had previously seen the emergency doctor on call.
My xray was 2 weeks away.
Xray time with this funny dye time. It made me feel like I was shitting myself when they put the dye in the needle!
They took a few xrays 2 minutes apart and told me to come back in another 2 hours.
On the way home, I started feeling like crap.
That feeling passed and I picked up again a little later.
Back at the xray, more were taken and I was told someone would be in touch. So off back home I go.
About 6pm that evening, the phone rings and my mam answers.
''Get a jacket on Si, Dr Baker wants to see you NOW''
WTF!
We get to the docs and sat in the waiting room. After a couple of minutes he calls us in and we sit down.
''Simon. The xrays you had this afternoon shows you have a blockage in your kidney. Probably that stone. So we need to admit you asap''
Oh crap, this sounds serious
''What will they do?'' I asked. ''I'm not sure. But there is a great machine at Newcastle that breaks them up and it's just like laying on a bed for a while. That should fix it.''
Famous last words doc.
So back home, pack a bag and off I go for what I thought will be a couple of days in hospital.
I get there and we have a letter for the on call Dr and instructions to go to ward 1 - urology ward.
''Hello Mr Moore. We need to get you into a gown for the procedure''
What procedure are you on about? Dr Baker said nothing about a procedure here. I thought I was going to be off to Newcastle and lay on a bed where a machine fixed me. Then we could maybe go somewhere for a meal before coming home. Noone told me about a procedure, so I just thought sod it. Not getting out of it so I will just go with the flow.
So off to the newer xray dept and a doctor and nurses were waiting in scrubs for me. Odd. Maybe they are just more comfortable like this.
This way Mr Moore. We just need to give you a few small injections into your belly to numb the area. Then we will place the tube into your kidney. You shouldnt feel anything.
Oh cool. It wont hurt. There is nothing to getting this done and OH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL, THEY ARE STABBING ME WITH NINJA SWORDS MADE OF SPIKY FIRE!
It did hurt. As soon as they hit the kidney, I thought I was being murdered. Please God, let this finish quickly.
Doctor ''hmmm, most patients dont feel that. You must have needed more injections to numb you''
Well duh! That scream that you heard wasnt because I was having so much fun doc - I wish I had said.
Back on the ward, I was put in a bed with a view - of the city sewage works.
Oh joy.
But the nursing staff there was awesome. They all helped and explained everything they could and took the time to sit with me and make sure I was ok. Because of my age, I could have gone to the childrens ward, but I had already made a new friend and was having a good chat with the other patients so I said no. I'm ok here.
And what a laugh we had too. Not just us patients, but with the staff too. When they could, they would come round and chat
After a few days, I was on my way to Newcastle in an ambulance patients transport vehicle. My mam was a patients transport service driver. So she got that job to be with me, with her bosses consent too!
Free parking. It's not cheap for 4 hours lol.
So onto the magic table I go. A water filled bag pushes up against my side and the nurse says ''I've just got to give you this into the needle in your hand. You may feel a little drowsy''
Well bugger me. I felt like I'd just drank a bottle of vodka! Pethidine, the spelling may be wrong here, is strong stuff!
''Here's the headphones Simon''. Ooh, music too. Feels like a party now. There really isnt to much too this. I cant even feel this lithothingy. Oh yes I can. And it hurts. Just relax. Relax. Oh please RELAX!
The injection did something bizarre. The 5 minutes I estimated was really 45! So into the recovery bed and half an hour later we were on our way back to Carlisle Hospital.
Off for an xray the next morning to see the broken stone.
Nope. Still the size of a thumb.
Two more attempts on the lithodooblywhatsitcalled machine and it didnt change in size.
Right then. Now what? Ooh, they are going to knock me out an try it on full power!
''They had it on full power but had to keep turning it down bit by bit'' I told them. It turns out they started at 10 percent and it decreased to 2 percent!
Oh.
So off we go. Me and my mam in the ambulance again. This one has a bed instead of a minibus transport vehicle.
As I walked into the lithotrypsy suite, I had finally learned the name, the doctors were waiting.
''How long does it take for the anaesthetic to start wo....''
''Mr Moore, wake up. It's over''
Huh. What happened?
It doesnt seem like seconds when you are knocked out like that!
An hour or so recovery, cup of tea and some toast and I was ready to travel back.
I was so glad the ambulance had sick bowls. Turns out I get severe nausea after being knocked out!
Off for my xray that night and once again, nothing. Not even full power did it!
Bugger.
So home for a weeks rest, still with tube in my gut to drain the kidney, then back in for an operation to remove the stone.
In 1992, the hospital did not have the funding for keyhole surgery! So I was opened up with a 20 inch incision. The bottom of my kidney near enough chopped off and the stone removed.
The first two days post op were a blur. Especially when infection kicked in and I had a dangerously high temp and equally high pulse of over 200.
To say the doctors were shitting bricks would be an understatement. But they cooled me with fans and ice and my heart slowed right down again.
They placed a stent when they did the op, only when they did an xray on day 3, it was not showing!
I had passed it into a pee bottle and noone noticed!
Little did I know how much one of those would hurt me later in life.
10 days post op and time for my stitches to come out. I find out that having them removed makes me want to pass out! Bizarre, because I find it interesting to watch.
''Hmmm, be right back Si'' says the nurse. And she returns with another nurse and explains ''there is some fluid coming from the wound. I know you are supposed to be going home today but we would advise you dont until this clears up''
Crap crap crap. I miss my dogs.
A few days later, this had shown no signs of clearing up so they decided to investigate surgically.
''Mr Moore'' this is the doctor '' we removed another stone. It had formed and blocked your kidney. We are going to send it for analysis and find out why you are making them so quick''
Odd. But at least I wasnt leaking piss from my side anymore!
A day later and I finally get home. It has been 2 months now since it started and it is finally over. Ahh.
12 hours later I was back in the same bed in hospital with severe pain. They suspect it is just swelling around the kidney.
NOPE. It's another damned kidney stone. 48 hours this one took to block me.
And so this continued for the next 5 or 6 years.
Then we celebrated when I reached a full 2 months without hospital.
Then 3 months.
All the way until 11 months and 3 weeks, I kid you not.
Sitting watching a movie at the cinema and that pain came back.
I was operated on that night to unblock both kidneys!
This thing sucks
After a call to the doctor, we were on our way and 5 minutes later we were there. The doctor had a quick examination of me and said ''You have a kidney stone!''
Hmmm. I'd never even heard of this before. At least the pain killers will help and all I had to do was drink plenty of fluids and the stone will pass. But to make sure, an xray will be booked.
The next day, I felt better and recovered watching TV with my dad and the dogs.
My mother was away for a few days with a friend but couldnt believe what she was being told when she called to see how we all were!
''It wont be a kidney stone surely. He's only 16!'' said my mam. ''We'll see when the xray is done''
So a few weeks later I have my xray.
''Nothing, but the left kidney looks a little swollen, we'll get another done with a contrasting dye''. This is my new GP, Dr Baker. The first time I had met him too. I had previously seen the emergency doctor on call.
My xray was 2 weeks away.
Xray time with this funny dye time. It made me feel like I was shitting myself when they put the dye in the needle!
They took a few xrays 2 minutes apart and told me to come back in another 2 hours.
On the way home, I started feeling like crap.
That feeling passed and I picked up again a little later.
Back at the xray, more were taken and I was told someone would be in touch. So off back home I go.
About 6pm that evening, the phone rings and my mam answers.
''Get a jacket on Si, Dr Baker wants to see you NOW''
WTF!
We get to the docs and sat in the waiting room. After a couple of minutes he calls us in and we sit down.
''Simon. The xrays you had this afternoon shows you have a blockage in your kidney. Probably that stone. So we need to admit you asap''
Oh crap, this sounds serious
''What will they do?'' I asked. ''I'm not sure. But there is a great machine at Newcastle that breaks them up and it's just like laying on a bed for a while. That should fix it.''
Famous last words doc.
So back home, pack a bag and off I go for what I thought will be a couple of days in hospital.
I get there and we have a letter for the on call Dr and instructions to go to ward 1 - urology ward.
''Hello Mr Moore. We need to get you into a gown for the procedure''
What procedure are you on about? Dr Baker said nothing about a procedure here. I thought I was going to be off to Newcastle and lay on a bed where a machine fixed me. Then we could maybe go somewhere for a meal before coming home. Noone told me about a procedure, so I just thought sod it. Not getting out of it so I will just go with the flow.
So off to the newer xray dept and a doctor and nurses were waiting in scrubs for me. Odd. Maybe they are just more comfortable like this.
This way Mr Moore. We just need to give you a few small injections into your belly to numb the area. Then we will place the tube into your kidney. You shouldnt feel anything.
Oh cool. It wont hurt. There is nothing to getting this done and OH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL, THEY ARE STABBING ME WITH NINJA SWORDS MADE OF SPIKY FIRE!
It did hurt. As soon as they hit the kidney, I thought I was being murdered. Please God, let this finish quickly.
Doctor ''hmmm, most patients dont feel that. You must have needed more injections to numb you''
Well duh! That scream that you heard wasnt because I was having so much fun doc - I wish I had said.
Back on the ward, I was put in a bed with a view - of the city sewage works.
Oh joy.
But the nursing staff there was awesome. They all helped and explained everything they could and took the time to sit with me and make sure I was ok. Because of my age, I could have gone to the childrens ward, but I had already made a new friend and was having a good chat with the other patients so I said no. I'm ok here.
And what a laugh we had too. Not just us patients, but with the staff too. When they could, they would come round and chat
After a few days, I was on my way to Newcastle in an ambulance patients transport vehicle. My mam was a patients transport service driver. So she got that job to be with me, with her bosses consent too!
Free parking. It's not cheap for 4 hours lol.
So onto the magic table I go. A water filled bag pushes up against my side and the nurse says ''I've just got to give you this into the needle in your hand. You may feel a little drowsy''
Well bugger me. I felt like I'd just drank a bottle of vodka! Pethidine, the spelling may be wrong here, is strong stuff!
''Here's the headphones Simon''. Ooh, music too. Feels like a party now. There really isnt to much too this. I cant even feel this lithothingy. Oh yes I can. And it hurts. Just relax. Relax. Oh please RELAX!
The injection did something bizarre. The 5 minutes I estimated was really 45! So into the recovery bed and half an hour later we were on our way back to Carlisle Hospital.
Off for an xray the next morning to see the broken stone.
Nope. Still the size of a thumb.
Two more attempts on the lithodooblywhatsitcalled machine and it didnt change in size.
Right then. Now what? Ooh, they are going to knock me out an try it on full power!
''They had it on full power but had to keep turning it down bit by bit'' I told them. It turns out they started at 10 percent and it decreased to 2 percent!
Oh.
So off we go. Me and my mam in the ambulance again. This one has a bed instead of a minibus transport vehicle.
As I walked into the lithotrypsy suite, I had finally learned the name, the doctors were waiting.
''How long does it take for the anaesthetic to start wo....''
''Mr Moore, wake up. It's over''
Huh. What happened?
It doesnt seem like seconds when you are knocked out like that!
An hour or so recovery, cup of tea and some toast and I was ready to travel back.
I was so glad the ambulance had sick bowls. Turns out I get severe nausea after being knocked out!
Off for my xray that night and once again, nothing. Not even full power did it!
Bugger.
So home for a weeks rest, still with tube in my gut to drain the kidney, then back in for an operation to remove the stone.
In 1992, the hospital did not have the funding for keyhole surgery! So I was opened up with a 20 inch incision. The bottom of my kidney near enough chopped off and the stone removed.
The first two days post op were a blur. Especially when infection kicked in and I had a dangerously high temp and equally high pulse of over 200.
To say the doctors were shitting bricks would be an understatement. But they cooled me with fans and ice and my heart slowed right down again.
They placed a stent when they did the op, only when they did an xray on day 3, it was not showing!
I had passed it into a pee bottle and noone noticed!
Little did I know how much one of those would hurt me later in life.
10 days post op and time for my stitches to come out. I find out that having them removed makes me want to pass out! Bizarre, because I find it interesting to watch.
''Hmmm, be right back Si'' says the nurse. And she returns with another nurse and explains ''there is some fluid coming from the wound. I know you are supposed to be going home today but we would advise you dont until this clears up''
Crap crap crap. I miss my dogs.
A few days later, this had shown no signs of clearing up so they decided to investigate surgically.
''Mr Moore'' this is the doctor '' we removed another stone. It had formed and blocked your kidney. We are going to send it for analysis and find out why you are making them so quick''
Odd. But at least I wasnt leaking piss from my side anymore!
A day later and I finally get home. It has been 2 months now since it started and it is finally over. Ahh.
12 hours later I was back in the same bed in hospital with severe pain. They suspect it is just swelling around the kidney.
NOPE. It's another damned kidney stone. 48 hours this one took to block me.
And so this continued for the next 5 or 6 years.
Then we celebrated when I reached a full 2 months without hospital.
Then 3 months.
All the way until 11 months and 3 weeks, I kid you not.
Sitting watching a movie at the cinema and that pain came back.
I was operated on that night to unblock both kidneys!
This thing sucks
The start of my problems.
Right then, I may as well explain things to you since you have taken the time to visit my blog. So lets go from the start.At school, I was bullied quite bad. Physically and mentally. And I still suffer with flashbacks, nightmares and certain fears now. Nearly 20 years later.
The reason I was bullied so much - I was overweight and lived outside of the small town where the school was located! Because my dad was an MoD Police sergeant, that also made me fair game in their eyes. My best friend in junior school went somewhere else for his senior years. His dad was the local police officer!He got lucky and escaped the shit.
The school was only small, which meant they needed as many pupils as possible to get funding. Each pupil was worth about 2000 per year to the budget. This meant if they kicked out the bullies, they would lose a lot of funding! Plus they were scared of a lot of angry parents, instead of 2 angry parents!So you can imagine my problems. Teachers who turned a blind eye to my hell. A teacher who called me a pathetic lazy fat useless bastard in front of the class! And a head teacher who once punched me in the chest for what someone else did but I got blamed by the bullies!
So at 16, I did my final exam and walked down the school drive knowing that in a few short minutes, I would be free of it all.
*BANG*
I was on the floor with a huge pain in my head and back.
Someone had ran down behind me and did a flying kick with both feet. I still dont know who it was to this day. But whoever it was, they jumped on the back of my legs and stamped on my head as they ran off. I was told by the laughing crowd to keep my head down while the attacker fled. I was not going to risk anything else happening so stayed put.
I limped onto the bus and started to feel safer as the driver had stayed on this day instead of talking to the other drivers.
*BANG*
Something was smacked over my head. I was told I was only getting off when an ambulance came for me. They decided to attack me bad enough to try and put me in hospital.
Now I dont know what happened, but next thing I knew, the alarm for an emergency door being opened went off and they ran.
The driver, who watched what was happening, ignored me and just shut the door at the back and sat down again.
Thats when I realised the only other heads I saw on the bus was those who attacked me. They had fled and I realised I was the only passenger. The rest of the school had not been released yet! A long, long 5 minutes later and the bus started filling up and we were on our way home soon after.
I got off that bus, walked the 50 metres to my house and never felt so relieved.
Noone was home except my dogs, which suited me down to the ground.
I sat on the couch with a dog either side of me and just collapsed into myself.
Yeah they got to me, but I didnt have to see them ever again. I lived on a military base and they couldnt get in.
It was over...
The reason I was bullied so much - I was overweight and lived outside of the small town where the school was located! Because my dad was an MoD Police sergeant, that also made me fair game in their eyes. My best friend in junior school went somewhere else for his senior years. His dad was the local police officer!He got lucky and escaped the shit.
The school was only small, which meant they needed as many pupils as possible to get funding. Each pupil was worth about 2000 per year to the budget. This meant if they kicked out the bullies, they would lose a lot of funding! Plus they were scared of a lot of angry parents, instead of 2 angry parents!So you can imagine my problems. Teachers who turned a blind eye to my hell. A teacher who called me a pathetic lazy fat useless bastard in front of the class! And a head teacher who once punched me in the chest for what someone else did but I got blamed by the bullies!
So at 16, I did my final exam and walked down the school drive knowing that in a few short minutes, I would be free of it all.
*BANG*
I was on the floor with a huge pain in my head and back.
Someone had ran down behind me and did a flying kick with both feet. I still dont know who it was to this day. But whoever it was, they jumped on the back of my legs and stamped on my head as they ran off. I was told by the laughing crowd to keep my head down while the attacker fled. I was not going to risk anything else happening so stayed put.
I limped onto the bus and started to feel safer as the driver had stayed on this day instead of talking to the other drivers.
*BANG*
Something was smacked over my head. I was told I was only getting off when an ambulance came for me. They decided to attack me bad enough to try and put me in hospital.
Now I dont know what happened, but next thing I knew, the alarm for an emergency door being opened went off and they ran.
The driver, who watched what was happening, ignored me and just shut the door at the back and sat down again.
Thats when I realised the only other heads I saw on the bus was those who attacked me. They had fled and I realised I was the only passenger. The rest of the school had not been released yet! A long, long 5 minutes later and the bus started filling up and we were on our way home soon after.
I got off that bus, walked the 50 metres to my house and never felt so relieved.
Noone was home except my dogs, which suited me down to the ground.
I sat on the couch with a dog either side of me and just collapsed into myself.
Yeah they got to me, but I didnt have to see them ever again. I lived on a military base and they couldnt get in.
It was over...
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