Making the Best of It

I recently had surgery to remove more kidney stones. Kidneys stones: the bane of my existence since becoming paralyzed! However, if that's the worst problem I face, then I will consider myself very lucky since other paralyzed people fare far worse. I had more of the tiny, sand-like stones that are extremely hard to remove, just for the sheer quantity of them as well as their minute size. I actually had to have surgery twice; once in August which was a flop, and then a second time a few weeks later which was thankfully a success.

On Thursday I went to my urologist to get the stents removed from my kidneys (those are the thin, flexible tubes that go from the kidneys, through the ureters, into the bladder and help everything drain post-surgery). I always kind of dread having stents removed. The biggest reasons being because I don't like appointments where I have to get out of my wheelchair (especially onto a narrow table in a tiny exam room at the doctor's office) and because getting a scope inserted into your urethra is never a fun time. Although, what's even more sad is that I've had this done so many times that I'm actually used to it. What has happened to my once normal life if this is no big deal!

I always try to make the best of every situation, so here are a few positives. I absolutely adore my doctor. She feels more like a friend than a doctor. She is young, loves her family has a gentle bedside manner and is really pretty, too! When I had my surgery a few weeks ago, my doc was telling my mom how she and her husband were about to go on a 10-day trip to France. When I saw her on Thursday she had a little gift that she picked up for me in France. I thought it was SO sweet and thoughtful for her to bring me something. Seeing my doctor truly makes a not-fun experience much more bearable and enjoyable. The people that work in the office are always so kind and helpful, too, which I really appreciate.

My doctor said that she wanted me to have injections of gentamicin (an antibiotic) for three days following the stent removal, just as a precaution since getting stents removed can stir up infection from the lingering stones. Giving shots is yet another thing my mom can add to her repertoire of skills she's acquired that she never wanted to have. ;)

A few other things that helped make Thursday a bit more enjoyable were: #1) Listening to Chicago on the drive to and from the doctor. Love Chicago... their songs take me back to childhood! #2) A good book. My mom and I got a fair amount of reading done while we waited at the pharmacy. Otherwise we would've been completely bored. #3) I was in good company. My mom and I were gone for hours when you account for the 90-minute round-trip drive, the two hours spent at the doctor's office and then the hour-long wait at the hospital s pharmacy. (I guess vials of gentamicin for home use are even hard to come by at the hospital's pharmacy.) It was a long day, but at least I was with my BFF!

Just another day in my life!