Hydronephrosis

This morning I got the phone call that we knew was coming some day, but the one we didn't ever want to get. Dr. T called to talk to me about my scans and it's not good. There are new tumors in new locations and growth and ugh, it's all bad news. Additionally, Dr. T said that we have one problem that requires immediate attention, hydronephrosis. Basically, a tumor is pressing on the tube (ureter) that runs from my left kidney to my bladder. It has caused a kink and the tube has ballooned up behind the kink. It is probably the cause of my back pain and it is not allowing my left kidney to drain properly.

• Appointment with Dr. D in the CAM building at Big Barnes

Dr. T's office set up an appointment for me right away this afternoon with a urological surgeon. There aren't a ton of choices for this problem. For a patient with advanced cancer, one option is just to deal with the pain and ultimately possibly lose function in that kidney. This surgeon however agrees with Dr. T that trying to put in a stent is another possible option for me. It would be an outpatient surgery under anesthesia to place the stent into the ureter. If during the surgery, the stent isn't able to get past the kink, a third option would be to have a tube placed from the kidney out my back to an external bag. So, let's hope the stent can be placed without any problems. The stent will have to be replaced every 3-4 months through further outpatient surgeries. If chemo could shrink the tumor that is causing the pressure, there is a possibility that a stent wouldn't be needed forever. But, one thing at a time.

Dr. D talked about admitting me to the hospital tonight but based on my preference to be at home, she sent me on my way and scheduled my surgery for first thing tomorrow morning.

Stent and external tube options: