Lingering discomfort & Pyridium

It was 2 weeks yesterday that I had the cystoscopy with laser lithotripsy. I have been feeling much better. I have had some burning and urgency sensations and have been taking Pyridium- and it has been helping a lot. I looked it up at nih.gov and this is what it said:

Phenazopyridine relieves urinary tract pain, burning, irritation, and discomfort, as well as urgent and frequent urination caused by urinary tract infections, surgery, injury, or examination procedures. However, phenazopyridine is not an antibiotic; it does not cure infections.

Stent or Stone

What is worse, a kidney stone or the stent the doctor places in the ureter for several weeks after removing the stone?
I think the stone is usually worse, but there have been times I am not sure if the cure is not worse than the stone. Stents have caused me cramping and pain and a lot of blood in my urine. I have had a stent for almost two weeks and will not have it removed for two more weeks. This time it seems to be in a good position. I do have some pain, but no bleeding or cramping. I only needed pain medicine once yesterday and none today so far.

recovering

I think I am recovering nicely. Greg thinks I am sicker than usual after the procedure. I guess I don't see how I act. Anyway, I am feeling good today. This stent isn't too bad this time. I haven't been bleeding from it for days.
I feel better than I did before the procedure so I would again say it is worth it.

Surgery day

Yesterday was surgery day.I got to the hospital at 9:30am for prep work, paperwork and IV. My mother and Daughter, Elizabeth stayed with me until 11am, when I was transported to Pre-op where I got my pulse oxygen and blood pressure monitored and Vancomycin antibiotic. Anesthesiologist came in and gave me a 3 day anti-nausea patch for behind my ear. After an hour or so (no clock) I was moved into the OR. They put some EKG strips on me and had me breath deeply some oxygen. That is all I remember until waking up in recovery and wheezing. My throat was so dry and I kept coughing. They gave me ice chips and took out the catheter. I stayed in recovery for about an hour. My mother and Elizabeth stayed in the waiting room while I was in Pre-op, OR and Recovery. Then we all got moved back to the room I started at. There we waited while I had my vital signs monitored and they had to measure how much urine I was outputting.They gave me another IV and I stayed for a couple more hours. I was ready to go home when they discharged me at around 5:30pm. I was a little anxious when I got home. I did not settle down until around 7:30 when I went to bed.

Pre-admission Testing is done

I am done with pre-admission testing. I am home and in pain. I want to take a pain killer, but have to drive somewhere first.

Tomorrow I have my procedure and the kidney stone pain will be gone, but I will have a stent in for several weeks.
Last night I went to bible study and several ladies mentioned they are praying for me. It is so sweet to know I am being covered with prayer.

My mother will be staying with me at the hospital and my mother-in-law will stay with my kids.

Greg and Rebekah are in Tallahassee and will be back tomorrow evening to be there for my recovery.

I love and appreciate my family.

2 more days

I am feeling better today. I go for pre-admission testing tomorrow and then have the retrograde Ureteroscopy and Laser Lithotripsy on Wednesday. Classes started at the community college I attend today. I am taking all internet courses so the procedure and recovery should not impact my classes. I do not even attempt classes that I have to go in person. I never know when I will be too sick to attend.