Sunday, February 19, 2023

Brief Health Update

I haven’t recently said much about life post surgery after the second untethering (second removal of the catheter for those who are just stumbling in out of the cold, as it were). Said untethering occurred a week and a half ago already, and all was well for a week, so there was nothing to report as life pretty well returned to a semblance of normal.

After that week, however, my urine was a pretty bright red one night before bedtime. I wondered if it was the cranberry juice coming out, but I have never seen that sort of reaction to food colouring. Obviously, it was blood that I was seeing.

Subsequent results were similar into the next morning until I painlessly passed a fair-sized clot, and all was well again.

But then it all happened again later that day: another clot and more blood in the urine.

I have monitored it pretty closely since then, and all has seemed normal for three days now. I trust that means that the setback is history and that I can soon resume regular living. 

19 comments:

Jenn Jilks said...

Let us hope so! I cannot remember what JB had after his surgery. Happily, I've forgotten. It was a tough time for us.

Thanks for the link to the webcam. I follow them on Twitter.

Marie Smith said...

I pray that will be the end of the clots and blood, AC. Take care, my friend!

Boud said...

I hope you'll improve from now. It's been more complicated than advertised.

Barbara Rogers said...

Ah, keeping track of events of one's functions! Isn't it fun! Does this mean anything, or not! Jot it down, and tell someone if it shows more negative signs. And then just get on with life! I do hope this too will pass.

RedPat said...

There is always something to keep us nervous. Hope all stays well.

William Kendall said...

Hopefully it's done.

Karen said...

Was that to be expected post surgery?

PipeTobacco said...

Hmm. Typically, a blood clot would not be just red urine. Red urine suggests active bleeding. Since it appears to have stopped, technically the blood clot may have caused a urethral abrasion that resulted in temporary bleeding, I suppose. However, I really think you should report these incidences to your primary health care person on Monday for guidance. To my manner of thinking both blood clots and bleeding that far out after surgery, and after second catheter removal warrant a call to your health care person. Not trying to be worrisome…. it just is better to be proactive.

PipeTobacco

PipeTobacco said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
PipeTobacco said...


Also, I meant to say that a dissolved blood clot would typically result in a more brownish urine. Bright red is more indicative of active bleeding. Since it STOPPED I think it was most likely a temporary bleed, but still please consider calling in on Monday.

Red said...

I hope things return back to normal. I didn't notice the word pain but all of these situations are painful.

Margaret said...

I don't like blood coming from anywhere so I would be scared enough to call the doc. But if it's gone away, that's a good sign!

DJan said...

I do hope this is the end of the awfulness and that you are now on the straight and narrow road to complete recovery! :-)

MARY G said...

Sorry to hear the news. My father had the same procedure as you did, I believe and he also had clots and problems with bleeding. But the problems only lasted a week or two and he was pleased, overall, with the result. The clots and such were scary, however, and he was pretty good about reporting to his doctor and getting checked out. As I hope you are.
Wishing all this behind you and fine weather for photographing the melt. It has to be within our hopes in this, the last week of February, eh? I was outside in just a sweater today, sweeping snow melt into the drains.

Ed said...

There are somethings in life that are impossible to not worry about and seeing blood in urine is one of those things. Hopefully just a side effect of your tethering.

roentare said...

It would be more likely due to the trauma of initial catheterisation injuring the bladder wall. Make sure that you are not taking any anticoagulant medications or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory over the counter drugs or aspirin in that matter. A follow up with your family physician to exclude anaemia and clotting profile abnormality.

It is common to have asymptomatic kidney stones or bladder stones that give you macroscopic haematuria. A test on the urine to exclude infection is a standard test too.

Good luck

DrumMajor said...

Your blog buddies want you to call the doc's office who did the surgery. Don't stop any meds unless they tell you to do so. Linda in Kansas

Granny Sue said...

I am reading all these comments and learning a great deal! Please keep us all posted. I do hope you call the doc, although from your previous posts it sounded like getting a quick response is a pipe dream. Wishing you the best. And no more bleeding or clots!

Jeanie said...

I'd be scared to death. I hope the doc told you to expect that ... if you are supposed to expect it. But I would have freaked.

I hope every day is better and better for you.