Ureteral re-implantation

Given the lack of entries dealing with ureter reimplantation - I thought I would jot down my experiences which may be of interest to others with similar problems.

I had a totally uneventful gyne history and at 52 and a year after my last period - thought that was pretty much that .I had put on weight over the past few years - mainly around my middle - which is where all the books say it goes! and despite frustration at not being able to shift it - wa not particularly worried.

At the end of May this year started to experience severe lower right abdominal pain and thinking I may have a hot appendix went see my GP- she was very concerned at my distended abdomen and referred me on rapidly to a gynae who after scans etc etc performed a SAH and BSO on June 2nd. My uterus was totally distorted by a 15lb fibroid which basically was filling my abdominal cavity - it was the largest my surgeon had ever seen, and prior to the surgery she gave me a very explicit explanation of all the possible consequencs of such a major op.

The op wasn't much fun - in hopital for 6 nights- off work for 8 weeks - but I was delighted that beyond the 12 inch vertical scar and a 30lb weight loss I seemed to have come through it well.

Cut to 7 weeks post op - wake up wet with urine one morning - think is this my pelvic floor collapsing? and then start to experience constant urine leakage via my vagina day and night. Referred rapidly to urologist who discovers that my left ureter is totally detached from my bladder -leaking urine into my abdominal cavity - which is finally exiting via my vagina. Apparently such a late presentation is quite unusual - and they think that the ureteral blood supply was probably compromised as a result of the hysterectomy - and it took the 7 weeks for it to become bad enough to totally detatch.

I went back to hospital to have the ureter reimplanted on Aug 20th and am just home. they used the same scar to gain access and there are a lot of similarities between the ops - I think this time round is slighly less painful - but much more depressing as I am sporting a foley urethral catheter which I have to wear for another week as well as a ureteral catheter which runs from the repaired ureter through the bladder to the outside and also need to remain insitu for another week.

What a saga! Happy to answer any queries from others with similar issues.

Wow! You have been on quite the journey. I sincerely hope all goes well from now on and that you have an uneventful recovery.

I am having some bladder issues but your post certainly puts things into perspective.

Happy healing.

Hugs.

I agree with Fiona,
I will keep you in my prayers for a much easier rest of your recovery.

All the best.
Hugs,
Janet

Thanks for the kind thoughts - it really helps when they come from those who understand what its all about,

Feeling good this morning- had a day in hospital yesterday to undergo a cystogram (radio-opaque dye into the foley catheter and then x-ray visualisation of the badder ) to see if everything was watertight and patent ) and it was! Then removalof both the foley and ureteral stent/catheter.

Loosing the foley was fine - didn't feel a thing -but the uretereal one!! ouch! - would not like to experience that again without an anaesthetic- although it was only momentary.

So am now home and tube free with no leakage ! Hurrah! still have a couple of dressings on the ureteral catheter exit site and the bottom of my abdominal wound which then nurses say will be healed in a week or so. Sincerely hoping this spells the end of medical involvement for a good long time!

frimdean
Just wanted to wish you well and hope and pray that everything goes forward for a complete and speedy recovery.
Hugs,
Suzanne

Dear Frimdean,

Glad to hear that everything is fine now. Thanks for the heads up about what could possibly happen. I do need bladder repair while they are doing the TVH or TAH (don't know until they are in there). My gyn and uro are working together on this one.
My prayers are with you.
Linda