Hello everyone, it's been a while. Can't remember when it was last, eh. It must have been over a year. But truth be told, if you want to know more about me, you can find everything on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google +, Pinterest, and what have you not. It's been an interesting few months, if I'm completely honest.
I've had surgery. No, not plastic surgery (I am too darn beautiful, don't need that), but quite the surgery needed. I've had back pains for many years, and according to the specialists the main cause could have been kidney problems. Yeah, don't ask me the complete story, but it's been a journey for 2 1/2 years. Going to the hospital over and over again, scan here and scan there, blood tests over and over, urine samples (they've got so many samples, I think I peed at least 50 liters over the years), and several minor surgeries. Including one unexpected one.
My cysts did occur after drainage of them, so that didn't work. Beginning of September it all went wrong: acute kidney issues lead up to me being transported in an ambulance to the hospital. I was unable to do the most simple tasks like breathing or sitting still. I was not in a good mode, I was in a terrible state. I had to have help, otherwise it would and could have lead to something much more unpleasant. And the specialists response was 'nephrostomy'. This is basically a tube that goes straight into your kidney to the outside, and attached to it was a urine bag. Just to take the pressure of the kidney.For 8 to 9 weeks I had this bag attached to me.
It wasn't pleasant. I can assure you that. I know exactly how unpleasant it was. But it saved me. I could not have survived my pain and agony. But this pushed me towards the big surgery: pyleoplasty. The dreaded surgery. This meant that they would take of a small fraction of the kidney, which caused the obstruction. This surgery took place 2 weeks ago, and can you Adam and Eve it: I'm already on the mends. I'm sitting here, eating and drinking normally, already drove my car yesterday, and on Monday I will be working again. Time does fly by.
Hospital was not the best place for me to be in. Experienced a lot of unpleasant things. Woke up after the surgery with a catheter in, which I wasn't told of. And a bag on the left side to catch blood. And I am allergic to gauze/plasters called Centripore. Had blisters as a result. After being discharged on a Tuesday we had to go back on the Thursday because the blisters made movement extremely and utterly unpleasant. And now I'm scarred for life. Ah heck, if that's all, eh?
What I'm trying to say to you, the reader, is that you always should take care of yourself. Health comes first. Yes, I would not have gone this route, but I'm positive that the pyleoplasty was the right thing for hydronephrosis. All the other things were consequential and unnecessary, but part of the process. Always listen to your body, ALWAYS. Do not underestimate pain and agony.
If you are told you need a urinary bag, be a man (or woman) and accept it. It is unpleasant, trust me, but the end result can be a life without agony, and constant pain. Doctors will do their best to help you, not always in the quickest way, but still: your health is their focus. They don't focus on yourself, but only on the cause and correction. Never the patient.
I have had 2 1/2 years full of memories I will try to avoid. In about 4 months my sickness period comes to an end, if everything went accordingly to plan. If I have reached that moment, I will and must move on, and think of a brighter future. You can learn from moments like these, but you need to experience them first. Listen to your body, and let it all come over you. Do not resist. This will only cause you more unpleasant moments.
Now I'm sitting behind my laptop, vaping like an idiot (like everyone else sees me), and enjoying life. I am happy to have followed everything. It took a while, but I'm on the mend. I'm getting there. Life is smiling at me. And Hayley of course. We had to postpone our holidays now three times due to my sick bed. But 2019 will be our year. You must believe me, I do believe me.
Talk to you soon!
Martin
