Dear Lord,
B has 2 problems: 1) a HUGE kidney stone called a staghorn calculus. It tends to form in the collecting system of the kidney tubules after repeated UTIs. These stones look kind of like deer antlers; and 2) a small bowel obstruction called a volvulus. A loop of intestine twists over on itself + the blood supply to it can be cut off, so it is potentially very dangerous bc that portion of the bowel can die if left untreated.
First, they try to decompress the stomach, which redistributes the pressure in the intestines + may help the intestine unkink itself. If that doesn't work, she'll need surgery. It would be high risk for her bc of age, diabetes, obesity, + her mental illness. I'm guessing they'll make a decision on surgery within 48 hours.
The kidney stone is so large that will have to be removed surgically + with laser. Sometimes it takes a couple surgeries. They will have to do that after she recovers from the bowel obstruction, which will take 6 weeks or so if surgery is done. Her risk of infection will be higher than normal d/t all her health issues, particularly the diabetes.
She's at a rural hospital, which isn't the best. I tried talking to the nurse taking care of her, but she didn't seem to know much.
I pray the decompression will work + she won't need surgery on her bowel. If she does, she may need as many as 3 surgeries to take care of all the problems.
They made her NPO (can't eat or drink), so she didn't get her psych meds. She started panicking bc you can't stop those cold turkey. I told her to tell the staff she will likely have a psychotic break if she doesn't get her meds. She finally got her meds tonight (only had 1 anti-anxiety pill last night). They stop the decompression for an hour so she will have a chance to absorb at least some of the meds.
Bless her, Lord, + heal her. Ease her anxiety. Send her good doctors. May she do much better than expected.
In your holy name, amen.
B has 2 problems: 1) a HUGE kidney stone called a staghorn calculus. It tends to form in the collecting system of the kidney tubules after repeated UTIs. These stones look kind of like deer antlers; and 2) a small bowel obstruction called a volvulus. A loop of intestine twists over on itself + the blood supply to it can be cut off, so it is potentially very dangerous bc that portion of the bowel can die if left untreated.
First, they try to decompress the stomach, which redistributes the pressure in the intestines + may help the intestine unkink itself. If that doesn't work, she'll need surgery. It would be high risk for her bc of age, diabetes, obesity, + her mental illness. I'm guessing they'll make a decision on surgery within 48 hours.
The kidney stone is so large that will have to be removed surgically + with laser. Sometimes it takes a couple surgeries. They will have to do that after she recovers from the bowel obstruction, which will take 6 weeks or so if surgery is done. Her risk of infection will be higher than normal d/t all her health issues, particularly the diabetes.
She's at a rural hospital, which isn't the best. I tried talking to the nurse taking care of her, but she didn't seem to know much.
I pray the decompression will work + she won't need surgery on her bowel. If she does, she may need as many as 3 surgeries to take care of all the problems.
They made her NPO (can't eat or drink), so she didn't get her psych meds. She started panicking bc you can't stop those cold turkey. I told her to tell the staff she will likely have a psychotic break if she doesn't get her meds. She finally got her meds tonight (only had 1 anti-anxiety pill last night). They stop the decompression for an hour so she will have a chance to absorb at least some of the meds.
Bless her, Lord, + heal her. Ease her anxiety. Send her good doctors. May she do much better than expected.
In your holy name, amen.