Copied from my IC blog

Had another visit to the hospital!!!

It was the same thing again.  My kidney was swollen.  It is called Hydronephrosis.  I also had a Urinary tract infection and a Kidney infection.  I certainly hope that I don't have to go back again any time soon.  This is either the 6 th or 7 th time I have been admitted.  It always starts out with EXTREME pain in my left kidney.  I wish the doctors could find a way to keep this under control.  I don't regret having the Cystectomy.  I don't have the bladder pain anymore.  I still deal with depression because of all that I have been through and I am still having problems.  I told my family that maybe I will be healthy when I am old since I have been through so much already.  That is what I am praying for!!! Getting late now so I am headed off to bed. Goodnight everyone!!!

Update on living with a urostomy

I used a leg bag on my trip to NY.  It really worked out well.  I actually didn't even think about it until it got full. When it did get really full it felt like a little kid was hanging on my leg.......LOL!  I could go about 4 to 5 hours without having to empty it.  We saw the play "Wicked". It was great.  I was relieved not to have to get up during the play.  I wore jeans and a lot of different pants.  I didn't feel like I could wear shorts.  I will not be able to wear shorts with the leg bag.  I haven't tried cropped pants yet.  That will have to be another post.  

I also bought a bag cover and a leg bag holder.  If you want to wear the leg bag then I highly recommend that you buy a leg bag holder. It makes a HUGE difference.  I also love having a bag cover   and it helps with the scratchiness of the spout and spout plug.  

I will answer any question you may have about the urostomy.  I am so glad that I went through with the surgery!! Have a positive outlook and it will also make a HUGE difference!! 

I love you family and friends!  Have a wonderful week!! 

Kidney Pain

Since I had my surgery in August 2012 I have had a lot of kidney pain.  I was hospitalized 3 times with this.  Two of the times I had infection and one time severe kidney pain.  The doctor said that I have a swollen kidney.  I get that but when it gets so painful and I have no fever and it is night time (NO I DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE ER) there is no doctor that will call in pain meds. I guess now I need to get a kidney doctor.  My kidney is hurting right now but I would rather hurt at home than sitting in an ER for hours and hours and hours.  The last time it was 4 hours.  It is always 3 to 4 hours every time. 

Any way I just want to update everyone on what I am dealing with now.  I am drinking so much water that I am keeping my night drainage bag attached.  I seem to have a lot of mucus lately.  I guess that even though I have a Urostomy that the piece of intestine that was use for my stoma is producing a lot of mucus.  I am in sooooo much pain right now.  Kidney pain can be intense.  Most people don't have this problem after surgery.  I guess that I am just one of the lucky ones. haha!!!! It is almost 2:00 in the morning so I need to go deal with this pain and see if I can possibly get some sleep.  I am praying for all of you dealing with an Ostomy and those who are debating getting one.  I AM AN OFFICIAL "BAG LADY"!!!  haha!!! knee slap!!

I had a Radical Cystectomy (Urostomy)

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to start this blog so that all of us with Ostomies would have a place to talk and ask questions.  I had my surgery last October.  I am doing good now.  I did have 3 hospital stays after surgery. Two were for kidney infections and one was for severe kidney pain.  Hopefully this is all behind me. I had Interstitial Cystitis and Urethritis.  I did not have cancer thankfully.  I had a very tough 20 year battle with IC pain.  I am happy with my decision.  I had tried everything possible before I had this surgery.  If you have had the surgery or are facing the surgery I will be glad to talk with and answer any questions you may have. Please join my site!!