Two Bags, for now

 Nov. 23, 2011

Two Bags, for now

I lied in that last post…no CT scan.   But I do now have two plastic bags.  I have had no CT scan since September.  I did have a “loopogram” on Nov. 10…if you are interested in more info on that test see http://www.unc.org/publications/1/UNC_Pipeline_2001FINAL.pdf

Since the loopogram showed that the right ureter looked like a string—BAD! while  left ureter was like a small pipe ( the diameter of a sink faucet feed pipe about ¼ inch)—GOOD!.  My new urologist suggested that an interventional radiologist do a “minor procedure” of placing a stent through my right flank into the kidney and ureter…the stent has a have a plastic collar where the blockage was.  Along with the stent, I now have a drain tube coming out the right flank and attached to the new and second bag.   And for now, I am now emptying each of the bags  when it filled with a cup or two of urine (and for the first several days some  blood for added color). 

 In contrast to the first procedure where the drain tube remained in place 4 days (See earlier post “two additional guides”) this one is to remain for 6 to 8 weeks. (If I can stand it.)

Oh yes, I am very pleased to report that my new PCP  (Dr. Kelly Scott) and I  seem to have a good understanding of each other and my overriding desire to maintain quality of life as long as feasible.

 (Sidebar: For anyone over 60 I highly recommend the recently published book “Rethinking Aging; Growing Old and Living Well in an over treated Society” by Nortin M. Hadler, MD.   I like it because the author provides empirical evidence that medical interventions for us “old farts” often result in lower quality of life AND  much more pain and suffering. 

“Everyone who is sixty already has significant atherosclerosis.  By seventy it is impressive. Most who are sixty are harboring cancer, and nearly all who are seventy are harboring cancer.  Nearly all who die in their ninth decade do so with many potentially lethal diseases, not from most of those diseases. It makes no sense to cure the diseases one will die with in the ninth decade and little sense to cure the diseases that one will die from in the ninth decade if another is to take its place in short order.”  (Page 175)

I remain adamant: no chemo and no major interventions. 

Do I get another CT scan?  How long do  I keep the new drain tube and the second bag?