"It Hurt Like Hell!"

Filling out the old questionnaire at the doctor' office this morning 

Okay folks, I just got my stent out about an hour ago and IT HURT LIKE HELL!  So to all you folks who said "Oh, it only takes a second or two and feels funny" Oh no it didn't.  

The tools at the ready

In fact I just called my friend Bill B. this morning before I left for my 11 am appointment and asked him how his stent removal went.  He had it done about a month ago.  He said "Oh, it wasn't too bad."  Well, good for him.  Mine was the exception.  Of course I was the exception.

Even the video I posted on my previous blog was better than what I just went through.  At least that guy's pain was really on a "second or two."

So here is what happened to me folks.  My doctor's assistant (female of course, why aren't there any males in the nursing field?) gets my penis ready by applying an application on the tip that "numbs it."  And oh yes, I'm in the stirrups again (unlike my friend who just was on the hobby horse).  

Then I await my doctors, in the stirrups, with a numb penis. I'm not complaining about my doctor, he's one of the best in Delaware but I was waiting in those stirrups, pantless, with a numbed penis for about 15 minutes.  Fun times in Delaware.

My pants on the chair after I followed the instructions ("take everything off below the waist")

Then they come in.  My doctor and his assistant.  He inserts a device in my penis.  That wasn't too bad.  The bad part came when he hooked it to the stent and started to pull it out.  OUCH!  DAMN THAT HURT!

Then he did it again.....and again.....and again.....and again.  Yes folks, he was having a problem pulling the stent out and every time he pulled I felt like I was going through the ceiling from the pain.  So much for the "oh, it only takes a few seconds and feels funny."  Bull shit, it hurt like Hell.

The stent it out! That's lubricant on the hobby horse - my lubricant

I figure I have a pretty high pain thresh hold.  I'm not one of those screamers but when I'm in that kind of pain I do grunt.  And I mean GRUNT BIG TIME.

I was doing a lot of grunting.  My doctor explained to me "You have a lot of protein on your stent, that is why it is hard to pull it out."  He said it was slippery like ice.  

I could tell both of them were feeling bad for me every time they tried to get a grip on the stent and pull it out and I GRUNT and grip the paper sides of the hobby horse I'm holding onto.  I'm telling you folks, I was half tempted to just get off that table, stent in or not just to put an end to that torture.  And yes, that's what it felt like....torture.

The hobby horse after the deed was done - yes, that's my mess and sneakers (you think I was going to keep them on without my pants and underwear?)

I guess I'm bitching and complaining here but this year has been one hell of a year for me with these procedures.  First it was the prostate cancer with a staple gun stuck my my ass to get twelve biopsies. Then the volume check (of my prostate) to make sure it was the right size for the seed implant.  Then the seed implant itself.

Then, as a bonus I had three episodes of kidney stones.  One on my left side, which passed.  Then one on my right side which got stuck.  I endured that pain for eight days before they admitted me to the hospital and surgery.  Then they found two more kidney stones and that's why they put the stent in to prevent them from entering my ureter canal.  Then I had a procedure (surgery) to blast those two kidney stones (which apparently was successful).  Then living three weeks with this stent which made peeing uncomfortable if not unbearable.  Now today.  Damn.  I've had enough procedures this year to last me a lifetime.  

Now my penis is sore, I'm dizzy, and I still have more test to take.  Monday I have to pee in a container for 24 hours, refrigerate it and then take it in to my urologist.  Then a blood test.  Then do the whole thing over again.  

Hey, ain't getting old a blast?

So take a look at my "souvenir."  That's what was in me.  Fun times.  And don't let anyone tell you that the stent removal is "nothing."  At least in my case it wasn't "nothing."  Damn, it hurt.  

You know what I was thinking folks?  I think every one of those a-hole Republican who precipitated this government shutdown should have to go through what I went through this morning as a prerequisite to shutting down the government again or failing to raise the debt ceiling.  I'm pretty sure they would have second thoughts about their reckless actions.

There it is folks, that's what was in my ureter canal - now my very own personal souvenir.  Hey, I just thought of a very unique, PERSONAL, Christmas present.  Or maybe a Bloggerpalooza surprise gift.

So if anyone has a stent removal coming up in their future, please be aware that not all procedures take "only a second or two."  I hope yours does and you don't have to go through what I went through this morning because if you do, you won't long forget it. 

Have a great day!

Share the Pain

No folks, I'm not talking about the Republican hate of Obama fueled government shutdown (although I could write about this absolute stupidity but what difference would it make?), I'm talking about what's going to happen to me tomorrow morning at my appointment with my urologist.

Yes Virginia, I'm going to get my stent removed.  Remember about three weeks ago when I had a procedure to blast out my two remaining kidney stones in my right kidney?  Well, they left the stent in my ureter canal just to make sure neither one of those extra large (.6 mm) kidney stones got stuck in my ureter canal.  By the way, the ureter canal is the small tube leading from the kidney to your bladder and then to your penis (guys) so you can urinate.  The past three weeks have been very uncomfortable (but not unduly painful) for me.  I will very glad to get this stent out so I can go back to peeing normally.  

The stent - not pretty and I do feel it  but it doesn't hurt - just feels like "something" is in there that shouldn't be

I think I'm getting my stent removed. I believe my urologist will first take an X-ray to make sure the kidney stones are gone.  That was the reason he put the stent in the first place, so I would have to go through that eight day Hell I went though over Labor Day weekend when he advised me to "wait" for my other .6 mm kidney stone to pass.  As you all know it didn't pass and I had to have surgery to blast it out.  

Where my stent is (right side from kidney to penis)

So here I go again tomorrow having my private parts invaded again.  I thought I would "share the pain" and post a You Tube video of a fellow male who went through the same procedure of having his stent removed.  Oh sure, I've heard all the stories that "not every stent removal is the same." Uh huh, well why don't you try it then?  All I can say is that I am NOT LOOKING FORWARD to this but I will get through it.  What choice do I have?  

My final "home."  Yep, I have already purchased my "lot."  Nice "view" of the valley of my old hometown of Downingtown.  This is where I will end up some day.  All visitors are welcome!

Me standing on my plot - I haven't bought a headstone yet.  Something I probably should do this year.  I'm not getting any younger.......or healthier.  I'm open for suggestions for headstones.  I have them narrowed down to about six different styles but being the gay man that I am, I just can't make up my mind.  I do lean towards the tan one that glitters when the sun shines on it (of course I do).

One of the "finalist" headstones for Ron but leave out the "father" and substitute "lover"

This has been some year folks, what with my prostate cancer, biopsy, volume check, seed implants and the resulting side effects which I am still suffering (I will spare you the details but I do have to change underwear more frequently).  But then I am consoled that my situation could be a lot worse.  I consider myself fortunate that I will only have to undergo some momentary discomfort and pain tomorrow.  Then I should be good to go.....for a while anyway until the next piece falls off this old jalopy.

Where I will be for eternity when I'm done this present Journey - on a hill overlooking Downingtown, Pennsylvania, in the sun just on the edge of the woods - perfect for my final rest