Another UTI

16 years 2 weeks ago #14475 by Julie
Replied by Julie on topic Another UTI
Dick's Urologist put in the stent yesterday. He said that there appeared to be scar tissue or it could be the CIS. I asked about a Mytomycin and he said the way to do that would be nephrostomy tubes. Which would mean placement and then waiting 8 weeks and making sure they are placed right before beginning treatment with the Mytomycin. I don't think Dick's wants anything more to do with nephrostomy tubes. Plus the Dr. said he was not sure how much sense it made to go after the Bladder Cancer intensely since we know it has metastasized. We will discuss this with the oncologist and urologist this month after Dick is released.
Dick had a return of his gout and is not able to stand. He spoke with the Dr. two days ago and she said they had not had him on the allopurinol to prevent gout as it might interfere with tests. They did not put him back on and now they will have to give him Indocin which will hurt his kidneys. So not sure when he will get out. They all assure me I did the right thing by bringing him in when he started running a fever but he has lost a lot of ground by being in the hospital. His blood sugars become elevated and he has a serious case of constipation due to the pain meds.
It will take him weeks to regain what strength he had before he went in.

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16 years 2 weeks ago #14437 by Julie
Replied by Julie on topic Another UTI
I'll be glad to meet you and Gene, Ginger. I certainly hope we will be able to meet for a bite.
You are right there is always something going on. Dick had a nuclear medicine scan of his kidneys this morning and then we spent the rest of the day in his hospital room waiting for the results. Just after 5 three residents came into the room and said that the kidneys were functioning well but the right one was enlarged because there was some blockage. They want to put a stent in and since he is in the hospital they will do it Wednesday no nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
I asked if it might be the CIS and one fellow nodded his head yes while the other two equivocated. So they will take a scope and take a look and biopsy if necessary while placing the stent.
Perhaps it was fortunate that Dick had a UTI so this problem was detected while it is still a partial blockage. Julie

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16 years 2 weeks ago #14424 by Gene Beane
Replied by Gene Beane on topic Another UTI
Julie,
Always alot going on with you and Dick, you always make it through, what a woman you are. Well we will be in Arizona March 27th to April 6. I will call you when we get there and pop in to see you, or meet for a bite to eat...take care of you!!
Ginger

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16 years 2 weeks ago #14406 by Julie
Replied by Julie on topic Another UTI
So far nothing has shown up on the urine or blood cultures. The CT scan showed a narrowing of the right ureter. The urology resident was in to see Dick this morning and said usually it would be a kidney stone but Dick is not having pain in his kidneys. I am concerned it represents growth of the CIS we know is in his ureters. All the specialists are conferring today and will let us know what they recommend. I'm off to the hospital now.

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16 years 2 weeks ago #14391 by Julie
Replied by Julie on topic Another UTI
I wrote the update before I saw Dick today. He is doing better as in taking walks in the ward and staying awake. He is still having some problems with shortness of breath and nerve pain. They did the CT scan this afternoon. So we will see what tomorrow brings. Urology will consult.

What I did learn from Dick's oncologist is that his anemic state may have slowed the growth of the lung tumor. Which is part of what fuels my concern that a normal red blood count could contribute to tumor growth. But no I have not asked yet about what a normal blood count might do to his TCC.

Dick wants to feel well enough to do some outdoor hiking and photography. The wildflowers are blooming in the desert right now and it is supposed to be the best year for 30 years. Julie

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16 years 2 weeks ago #14386 by mssmr
Replied by mssmr on topic Another UTI
Julie -- Thank you for letting us know about Dick's new UTI. I hope that
this resolves as well as possible and that improved blood count doesn't lead to
tumor growth. Have your drs. confirmed this as plausible? Of course, there's
much not known and our feelings and fears can lead to valuable insights. I just hope with you that there's no new spreading -- Be blessed -- Susan

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