Dad's had a rough week

It seems like as soon as I post that things are going relatively OK with my Dad, something happens. In this case, it was a problem with his kidney stent.

They had placed the kidney stent in late January to open a kidney blockage that had developed (not an uncommon problem with advanced prostate cancer). The original procedure didn't quite go as planned; they weren't able to place it via the urethra and instead needed to go in via the kidney -- which made the procedure more invasive and involved.

Over the Memorial Day weekend he developed some serious urinary bleeding. In addition, he was having quite a bit of pain. He absolutely did not want to go into the ER, despite the fact that the bleeding was worsening. I can't blame him a bit...he's spent way too much time there in recent months and it often isn't particularly fruitful. So, they waited until  Tuesday morning, when his wife Carol took him into the urologist. Apparently kidney stents need to be replaced periodically, and the urologist thought replacing the stent would solve the bleeding/pain problem. The procedure (which requires general anesthesia) was scheduled for today and went fine without complications.

But it was a long week for my Dad. With the stent replaced, I am really hoping he will start feeling better soon.