As I mentioned, this appointment had been set about 5 weeks ago. The plan was to go in, take pictures of the blockage they had found in my upper left leg and hopefully stent it (he assured me that this stent would not cause the problems I experienced with ureter stents--although back when we had the conversation, I was speaking of my problems years ago, never dreaming I would be dealing with them again within a week.)
Wednesday evening (the night before), I got very sick again from the pain in my kidney and spent time throwing up. I was debating if I needed to go to the ER, because vomiting was one of the symptoms to be concerned about. Adding to the complications were we had to be at the McKay Dee Hospital at 6:00 am. I was worried about getting there, but also what was happening with my kidney and trying not to wake up Gary so he would be able to drive us wherever we ended up going. After about 3 hours, the pain subsided about 1:30 am and I was able to get a bit of sleep. It wasn't the best start for the day's procedure, but I was glad that I didn't have to cancel it.
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| Pretty smiley for 6:30 am |
And this is what Gary sent the kids. He is getting fancy with his smartphone. They loved it, of course.
The surgery was set for about 1 1/2 hours, but after 20 minutes or so, the doctor finished the angiogram and ended the procedure. The blockage was 100% which wasn't what we were expecting and it was also located near a junction off the main artery which didn't allow for a stent to be placed in it. That means that the only treatment options are : 1- to continue to walk through the pain and in a year or so, it should improve because of new blood vessels being added around the blockage; or 2- do a by pass surgery which requires taking a piece of vein and rerouting the blood around the blockage. That doesn't sound fun at all, especially as I google that surgery and the recovery times (3 to 6 or 12 weeks, depending on what you read.) I have't talked to the doctor, but he told Gary that it would probably be set for September. My September is pretty busy and I am not sure how this will fit in. We will meet with the doctor on Wednesday to discuss options.
So the unexpected and the complications keep happening, but it is and has been true that I have felt a peace about it with both the stone and now my leg. And in the moments when I feel picked on or discouraged, I remember the sweet promises of peace from my Heavenly Father uttered by that missionary in Washington and I have found that peace each time I have asked.
It is not a kidney stone---but this too will pass!
And I found out today that Kaye Volk has the same things in both of her legs (and also in her heart) and has been struggling with pain in walking for awhile. We are never left alone. It was good to talk to her about it although hers is much worse and more intense than my situation is.
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