Topic
Health
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Episode V: The Stone Strikes Back
Six weeks after surgery, my follow-up CT scan has delivered the punchline: there’s still a bloody stone in my kidney. At least the NHS has managed to discharge me without losing the paperwork. I’m still getting pain in my right side, though it doesn’t feel kidney-related. Apparently, the paperwork is now healthier than I am.
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Episode IV: A New Hope
Nearly fifteen months of waiting lists, outdated scans and kidney stones. Now the operation is done, the stent is out and, as far as I know, the stones are gone. I’m beginning to feel hopeful. Perhaps my next hospital appointment will pass without anyone losing my paperwork. I’d rather not place a bet on it.
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Episode III: Revenge of the Stent
After nearly fifteen months, I finally had my kidney stone operation. The reward? A stent, a string emerging from my penis secured with surgical tape, and a week when even sitting down hurt. I sat on an extra cushion. My granddaughters, meanwhile, kept running in for hugs and jumping on me. Perfect timing. Just perfect.
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Episode II: Attack of the Stones
One kidney stone was bad enough. Then there were two: one stuck in my ureter, another in my kidney. An infection dragged on, a referral arrived, and the waiting list was apparently full. So I ended up waiting to join the waiting list. Even the stones seemed to be getting more attention than I was.
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Episode I: The Phantom Urologist
I finally got a urology appointment, only to discover the consultant was looking at a year-old CT scan and thought I’d spoken to someone I hadn’t. Worse, I’d been removed from the waiting list by mistake. After thirteen months, the NHS had managed plenty of paperwork, just not much progress towards removing my kidney stone.