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kidney stone surgery

All Are Precious In His Sight: Dancing in Ephods!

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“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might…” 2 Samuel 6:14

I’ve studied the life of David a few times.  I think if David were alive today, I would really like him.  He seems like such a manly man, yet he had such a sensitive, compassionate spirit.  Yes, he made a lot of mistakes and bad choices, but his heart was just precious.  Perhaps that’s why God said David had a heart like His.

 

Often times when I’m absolutely giddy with excitement about something the Lord has done, I mentally picture David dancing in his ephod (a garment that I envision as somewhat similar to a loin cloth).  I sometimes crack up about that mental picture because it just feels so real.  Like when no one is in our home and we crank up the praise and worship music and dance and sing in the shower.  That’s what I picture when I think of David dancing in his ephod.

 

So why am I talking about dancing in ephods?  Well, read on to discover why this is on my mind.

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I spent yesterday in the ER with my precious hubby.  Bless his heart, he has had his share of illnesses and injuries.  He’s the toughest man I know, with the most sensitive and compassionate heart of any man I’ve ever met.  He reminds me of David (minus the bad choices David made!). 

 

Matt has ulcerative colitis, which causes many other harmful disorders and symptoms.  Kidney stones a side effect of ulcerative colitis.  Matt has had three kidney stones in the last five years that have gotten lodged and caused pain levels like nothing else.

 

Just to give you an idea of Matt’s pain tolerance, back in 2005, he broke his back in 5 places when he was bucked off his horse and landed on a cedar stump.  OUCH!  He had internal bleeding and two hematomas the size of an IV bag of fluids!  Even then, without any pain meds, Matt walked into the ER and his pain level was only a 4.

 

Well, Matt woke yesterday morning knowing he had a kidney stone that had escaped from his kidney and gotten lodged somewhere.  He was MISERABLE with a pain level of 11-12 (on a scale of 1-10)!  I drove him to the ER and contacted his urologist.  I prayed over Matt, claiming healing and praying against the spirit of infirmity.  Several friends were praying as well, but Matt wasn’t getting any pain relief or healing.  I just knew Matt was going to need surgery.  Sure enough, a CT scan confirmed a kidney stone was lodged in the narrow ureter, just before the bladder, and it was a large stone that wouldn’t be able to pass without surgery.  (Matt had to have surgery three years ago for a different kidney stone that wouldn’t pass that was smaller than the one they found yesterday.)

 

Matt’s urologist confirmed he would need to surgically remove this kidney stone, and Matt agreed.  Because Matt’s pain level was so unbelievably high, he was admitted to the hospital and given Dilaudid, a wonderful IV pain killer (an opioid narcotic), which was the only thing that even touched Matt’s pain.  Matt was scheduled for surgery for 9:30AM the following morning because the OR was booked all day and night at the hospital, so he would have the first available slot, which wasn’t until the following morning.

 

Well, around 8:30PM Thursday, Matt was finally settled into his hospital room, exhausted and ready for bed.  His pain was managed well with the use of Dilaudid via a PCA pump that enabled Matt to simply push a button to administer more pain meds via IV as needed.  I decided I would go back home to the kids and sleep there, then return to the hospital this morning for his surgery.  I asked Matt to go ahead and use the restroom before I left so I could help him with his IV pole and all of the tubing and cords, then get him tucked back into bed for the night.

 

We bobbled our way to the bathroom, trying not to have to unplug the equipment and make the IV pole reach far enough for Matt to stand at the toilet.  (TMI, I know.)  Well, here’s the best part of the story:

 

What to my wondering ears did I hear?  Matt exclaiming, “I think I just passed it!!!!!”  To which I replied, “Remember, the nurse said there might be particles in the filter, but not to be alarmed.  I doubt it’s your stone, sweetheart.”  (Oh, doubting Thomas, katisk, katisk.)

 

Then Matt handed me the urine filter, and I knew immediately that Matt was correct.  He had passed the stone!!!  The same stone that was so large and so lodged that it would indeed require surgery.  We stared with disbelief at that painful, jagged stone we had prayed against. 

 

Then…we danced in our ephods!!!  (Not literally in ephods, but close because Matt’s hospital gown wasn’t covering his private area!)  Oh my goodness, the shouts of praise coming from room 302 could probably be heard on every floor! 

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This meant Matt would NOT need surgery.  HALLELUJAH!!!  A Facebook friend had sent me a message just prior to this praying against this stone, praying for healing by the blood of Jesus, telling me she felt the healing was occurring right then.  I brushed it off and explained how Matt would have to have surgery and we were OK with that.  Nope, God had different plans.  Pretty crazy!

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Then a CNA (certified nursing assistant) came into the room, looked at the stone and said, “This little thing caused you that much pain?”  WRONG thing to say, Miss I’ve Obviously Never Had a Kidney Stone.  Wrong thing to say.

 

However, that didn’t put a damper on our praise party, although the CNA probably would have preferred to not view the ephod dancing. Smile 

 

We are seriously praising God for His healing!!!  Thank you, Jesus!!!

Overview Of Kidney Stones Treatment – Kidney Stone Removal

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Kidney stones treatment will depend on the stones size and the patient’s condition. Relief from pain and ridding the body of the stones is the goal of the treatment. In some instances hospitalization (though rare) may be required for the treatment of kidney stones. If surgery is required it can be non-invasive or invasive based on positioning and size of the stones in the body. However, surgery will not take care of the causes or keep them from reoccurring.

No permanent damage is typically done with the removal of the kidney stones; although a strict diet will be coupled with other restrictions after the removal. This is because if you get them once you are likely to get them again. Following the instructions of a physician or dietician can help to reduce the likelihood of these occurring.

The first step in proper treatment is diagnosing kidney stones is. There are various methods used to make a diagnosis.

*X-rays/Ultra Sounds – this gives size and placement of the stones in the body.

*Urine/ Blood tests – determine that the kidney stones actually are present.

In many cases kidney stone are small and will leave the body naturally through urination, all that is needed is to increase the fluid intake to do so. However, there are times when hospitalization is required. In these cases the body is normally hydrated with IV fluids and a special diet is followed. This will ensue for a couple of days before the alternatives are discussed with you. It is possible to make larger stones smaller stones with non-surgical methods. However there are times when surgery is the only way to get out the larger stones, as they can they can block the urinary tract and cause the kidneys to swell.

An alternative to surgery is now ESWL or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. Shockwaves are sent to the stones and shatter them into smaller pieces that can pass though the urine stream easily. There is no hospital stay required and a few days are all that is needed in order to recover from this type of kidney stones treatment. The side effects are minor such as bruising, discomfort and urine containing blood. A person should avoid taking aspirin after this type of procedure.

Sometimes an ureterscope is put into the urethra and the bladder and all the way to the ureter to remove stones lodged in the ureter. This kidney stones treatment can either remove the stone or break it into smaller pieces so that it can exit the body normally. Access is gained to the kidney by a small incision on the back. Stones are removed with the utilization of a nephroscope. A short stay in the hospital and a drainage tube is used to help keep healing as fast as possible.

With Kidney stones treatment can vary and is determined according to the severity of the problem. The type and size of the stones will be the deciding factor as to what type of treatment is needed, whether it be medications, surgery or through natural means.

How To Pass Kidney Stones | Kidney Stone Removal

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Let’s get to know more about kidney stone surgery by first understanding a little more about kidney stones. It’s now possible to learn more about how to pass kidney stones. Surgery is only one method of kidney stone removal. There are other solutions available.
You could choose other kidney stone removal methods if you are not comfortable with the invasive nature of surgery. There is natural treatment available to flush out the harmful stones.
Four different types of kidney stones exist. Calcium stones are some of the most commonly occurring. The accumulation of excess calcium leads to the formation of these types of stones.
Calcium is part of healthy meals, but not all calcium is utilized by the bones and muscles. Most times, the excess calcium taken into the body gets flushed out through the urine.
People having the calcium variant of kidney stones have retained the surplus calcium accumulated inside the kidney. Waste products in the kidney combine themselves with the extra calcium and form into calcium stones.
Calcium Oxalate is the most frequently occurring combination of this waste and calcium. Struvite stones are the second type of kidney stone generated.
Struvite stones get created most times after an infection within the urinary system in the body. Ammonia and magnesium are components of this type of stone.
The next type of kidney stone known as the Uric acid stone is also generated within the system. This type of stone gets formed when too much acid is contained within

the urine. Folks who have this variant of kidney stones are usually advised to reduce the quantity of meat they consume.
The fourth type of kidney stone which forms is known as the cystine stone. They are not very common. Cystine is part of the formation process of muscles, nerves and other parts of the body.
Tunnel surgery is one of the known surgical procedures for getting rid of these stones. It involves the doctor making a small cut in the patients back. A narrow tunnel is then created through the skin to where the stones can be found within the system.
The doctor dare after, inserts a special instrument through the tunnel to reach the stones. With the help of the instrument, the stones are then removed from the kidney. This process is known as Percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Ureteroscopy is another surgical procedure used in the removal of kidney stones. A device known as the Ureteroscope which looks a lot like a long wire is used. This device is slotted into the Urethra. The instrument has attached to it, a miniature camera. This camera makes it possible for the doctor to see the stones. A “cage” is then used in removing the stones. The stones could also be destroyed with the aid of another device inserted inside the Ureteroscope.
Learning how to pass kidney stones increases your knowledge about kidney stone surgery and other methods of getting rid of the stones. Natural treatment is also well recommended.

Treatment Options for Kidney Stones « Your Guide to Insurance and …

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Having kidney stones is a prevalent medical condition all over the world. It affects millions of people who are either unaware they have stones or are suffering because of them. Kidney stones are solid formations that are lodged in the urinary tract and cause severe pain, fever, nausea and other related symptoms. When pain becomes unbearable, a person will need pain medication and immediate treatment.

Home Treatment

Small kidney stones, around 5mm or less in diameter, can be passed in the urine naturally. When you have these stones, you will need to drink plenty of water daily to make it easier for the stones to pass. Even with small stones, you may still experience pain. In this case, your doctor may prescribe pain medication to ease the pain and anti-emetics if the pain is accompanied by nausea. You will need to collect the stone from your urine so that your doctor can examine its type and cause and recommend further treatment if necessary.

Treatment for Larger Stones

Stones that are more than 5mm in diameter can be too large to pass in the urine spontaneously. They can cause extreme pain in the flank, lower abdomen and groin area, which can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. In such a case, immediate medical attention is required.

To remove larger stones, your urologist has four options: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy, Ureteroscopy, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and open surgery. The type of treatment to use will greatly depend on the size, location and type of stones.

For stones that have a maximum of 20mm in diameter, shock wave lithotripsy may be used. The procedure involves targeting high-energy shock waves at kidney stones in the ureter or kidney to break them into fragments to enable them to pass in your urine.

Ureteral stones, stones that are stuck in the ureter, that are at most 15mm in diameter can be removed using ureteroscopy. The process involves inserting a long and thin telescope through the urethra and into the bladder and through the ureter where the stone is located. The surgeon will then use a tiny basket to remove the stone or he may use a laser to break down the stone into smaller pieces so that they can pass in the urine.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy involves a small incision in the back where the surgeon inserts a nephroscope and removes the stone from the kidney or ureter. This treatment is effective for stones that have a diameter between 21mm and 30mm.

Lastly, open surgery may be needed when all of the above cronic kidney disease treatments could not remove the stones successfully. This procedure is rare but can be necessary for patients with very large stones and who are experiencing excruciating pain.

One Fateful Kidney Stone | Kidney Walk

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Kate Hetzel had a kidney stone that changed her life, now she spreads kidney disease awareness at the Philadelphia Kidney Walk.

 

A kidney stone both changed, and saved, Kate Hetzel’s life. The 24-year-old nurse was told that the kidney stone was the least of her worries when she went the doctor. There was a cancerous mass on her right kidney. After battling the cancer, and undergoing the removal of her kidney, Kate is now making strides to spread kidney disease awareness and is participating in the Philadelphia Kidney Walk.

“I had a kidney stone and went in to get a scan done,” Hetzel said. “They found the stone, but they also found a mass on my right kidney. It was the luckiest kidney stone anyone could have had.”

Hetzel was diagnosed with kidney cancer and doctors performed a partial removal of her kidney. However, the cancer spread to her lymph nodes, a rare occurrence called kidney translocation carcinoma.  After additional surgery and the full removal of the problem kidney, Hetzel’s condition stabilized and now she is making it a goal to spread kidney disease awareness.

“I am down to one kidney, but I am feeling good,” she said. “It was after my surgery that I learned about the Kidney Walk while I was looking to see if there were any organizations dedicated to helping those with kidney translocation carcinoma or other kidney diseases.”

“I walk to raise awareness because even people at a young age can have kidney problems,” Hetzel said. “That’s a big misconception out there, and I know, kidney disease can happen to someone young as well as old.”

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Kidney Stone Surgery-Methods Your Physician May Recommend …

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Once the normal balance between salts, minerals and water inside your urine is upset, kidney gemstones may form. These gemstones are simply clumps of minerals and salt that has stuck together within the urine. Some are extremely small while some are as huge as golf balls. The gemstones lodge within the renal system or they move through the urinary system and out the body. When these gemstones form, you might have discomfort or you might not realize it is even occurring. Should you experience discomfort, your physician may recommend numerous remedies. In severe cases, kidney stone surgical treatment is needed.

Just in case your kidney gems are triggered by contamination, kidney stone surgery might be warranted. This is also true when the stone is disturbing the traditional passage of urine within the kidney or you coping similar bleeding. Kidney gems which are large frequently have to be treated through surgical techniques also. Your personal physician will evaluate your conditions and discover if it is the very best strategy to meet your requirements. Whether it’s, a few techniques will be used to remove kidney gems within your body.

Nephrolithotripsy or percutaneous nephrolithotomy is one sort of kidney stone surgery. If other methods happen to be not successful or even the stone is large, your physician will frequently choose this kind. A little cut is made in your back and a hollow tube is placed in to the kidney. Choices then, has 1 of 2 options. She or he may take away the stone (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) or even the stone might be split up and removed (nephrolithotripsy). Another option your physician can choose is open surgery. Here a cut is going to be made in your stomach or perhaps your side so that your physician can connect to the renal system. The stone or gemstones are then removed.

In a few instances, for example when your parathyroid gland is involved, your individual physician might indicate that you just then have a parathyroidectomy as part of your kidney stone treatment. By using this procedure, your individual physician removes numerous parathyroid glands to assist prevent future kidney stone attacks.

In case your physician thinks kidney stone surgical treatment is the best brand out there, discuss the various methods together with the advantages and perils of each kind. No two situations are alike so you must know why one surgery might be much better than another for you personally. Make sure to also discuss methods to prevent future attacks. After you have had kidney gemstones, you won’t ever wish to have them again.

Kidney stones treatment blog is a great source of know-how on kidney stones diet, kidney stone surgery and much more !!

Flies Reveal Kidney Stones In-the-Making | ALN

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ShutterstockKidney stones usually make their presence known suddenly, often sending a person to the hospital in excruciating pain. Each year in the U.S. more than a million people seek medical attention for kidney stones, technically called nephrolithiasis. The total annual cost of treatment exceeds $2.1 billion, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

Although kidney stone pain may seem to come out of nowhere, the hard collections of minerals that block kidney tubules and ureters originate and grow over weeks or months. Learning more about how they form can suggest ways to detect them at earlier stages, prevent recurrence following lithotripsy (shock waves that break up the stone) or surgery, and possibly prevent them altogether if susceptible individuals can be identified.

Experiments using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster not only provide a glimpse of kidney stone formation over a fly’s short lifetime, but have identified an important role zinc playsin the disease process in flies and in people. Thomas Chi, Clinical Instructor and Endourology and Laparoscopy Fellow in the Department of Urology at the Univ. of California, San Francisco, will discuss these experiments at the Genetics Society of America’s 54th Annual Drosophila Research Conference in Washington D.C.

“There’s been little to no change in medical treatment for urinary stones in the last 20 years. While surgical (which includes lithotripsy)treatments have advanced at a rapid pace, our ability to prevent kidney stones or their recurrence is extremely limited,” says Chi.

In flies genetically predisposed to develop stones, researchers can track the origins of the condition, and can also screen drugs, medical therapies, and other genes that counter stone formation. The insects develop pebble-like masses of phosphorus and calcium that look like tiny human kidney stones. The growths lodge in the fly’s Malpighian tubule, which is the equivalent of the convoluted tubules in the million or so microscopic nephrons that make up a human kidney.

Kidney stone formation is an example of “ectopic calcification,” in which calcium hydroxyapatite, a normal constituent of bones and teeth, forms elsewhere. Understanding how kidney stones form may also shed light on other sites of ectopic calcification, such as the coronary arteries.

In many animal models of kidney stones, researchers feed toxins such as antifreeze — ethylene glycol — to induce the condition. Obviously, this is not how the human condition begins. However, fruit flies with a mutation in the gene that encodes the enzyme xanthine dehydrogenase develop kidney stones that are remarkably like their human counterparts, rich in calcium hydroxyapatite.

Chi and his colleagues used the fly model to look for genes which, when silenced, prevent or ameliorate kidney stones. The researchers scrutinized over 80 genes, based on known functions, and narrowed them down to fewerthan 10 that are involved with formation of kidney stones. Genes related to zinc transportin particular seemed to play a major role, demonstrating the importance of the element in stone formation.

The researchers developed a visually striking method to watch fly kidney stones form. They labeled calcium hydroxyapatite with fluorescent bisphosphonate, an osteoporosis drug. The technique reveals tiny green glowing balls that are the seeds of kidney stones.

Chi calls the beginnings of the stones “calcified nanoparticles” and puts their size into perspective. “If you had a rope from Hong Kong to San Francisco, to find a calcified nanoparticle, you’d be looking for a 5 to 10 foot segment on that rope.” The nanoparticles in the fly may be an early equivalent of precursor lesions in people called Randall plaques, he added.

Zinc transport is important to nanoparticle formation. “Zinc is present throughout the body, and is very important for a number of physiologic processes. We are NOT saying that making the whole body zinc deficient could be an effective approach to treating kidney stones. But if we could somehow control the microenvironmental zinc levels at the key stage in stone development, that approach might offer us an effective new therapy,” Chi explained.

The researchers hope that their findings will lead to new options for kidney stones. “If we can get to them before they form, we’d cut way back on the number of people needing surgery every year, which is our goal,” Chi says.

Source: Genetics Society of America