Stoned

If you’re squeamish about medical things, this isn’t the post for you.

I have been having an interesting time the last few days. It seems that the Lithotripsy worked, I am passing bits of kidney stones.

If you aren’t familiar with Lithotripsy, in simple terms, the purpose is to use shock waves to blast a kidney stone into smaller bits so you can  then pass them easily. I believe that in my case, it didn’t quite work as well as it could have, and some of the these “bits” are not as tiny as I would like them to be.

After the procedure, you are given a little strainer to take home in which you must urinate to catch the bits of stone for analysis. My stones had been analysed last time (Calcium Oxalate, as is usually the case) so I doubt they will bother. But I still wanted to catch them so I could have visual proof  they were exiting me safely.

The first few days after the procedure, I started to find little bits, not much bigger than table salt. I was disappointed and started to worry that it hadn’t broken up at all and that I would have to go back. Then slowly, slighty larger bits appeared. Ok, I thought to myself, so maybe it just takes time

Then this morning. Sweet Mother of God!! I could hardly believe what I was seeing. Surely this isn’t normal?? How did that even fit through there?  Here is what I have collected so far.

(No I did not pass the penny too, it’s for size perspective)

There are more on the way.  The pain is not severe, but I can feel it.  We’ll see what the morning brings.