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"Renal Stones treatment"

About: Box Hill Hospital / Emergency Department Box Hill Hospital / Urology

(as the patient),

Recently, I was admitted to the Emergency Department. I'd already been diagnosed with renal stones about three weeks before, but sent home after observation for 24 hours.

My problem — apart from the stones and the pain caused — was the complexity of my health issues, making it high risk for me to undergo a general anaesthetic. But it was eventually assessed to be an acceptable risk and the surgery scheduled the following afternoon. The procedure was successful and I was discharged the day after.

The treatment I received from the nursing staff was excellent — caring, friendly and prompt, even though occasionally their workload was hectic.

I was feeling a bit tender by the time we reached home, to be greeted by our three young grandsons who are staying with us. The eldest, was very inquisitive about what the surgery was about, so I explained as simply as I could (basically, a micro-video camera and laser inserted into the urethra, through the bladder and into the right ureter to locate and break up the stone, insert a stent and remove the pieces.

Was my explanation understood?

Not quite… as only the eldest could render it to his little brothers: "Look out… don't get Pa mad 'cause he's got a laser up his willie and he'll zap you into little pieces!"

Ah, well… at least maybe I'll have some negotiating leverage when it comes to discipline!

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Responses

Response from David Plunkett, Chief Executive, Eastern Health 7 years ago
David Plunkett
Chief Executive,
Eastern Health
Submitted on 28/06/2017 at 12:56 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 1:01 PM


picture of David Plunkett

Dear Laser-Willie

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide your comments and feedback on Patient Opinion. I was really pleased to read of your positive experience at Box Hill Hospital and specifically the urology team.

Our staff are committed to providing kind and courteous care and your feedback demonstrates this occurred with you.

I congratulate you on your openness with your grandchildren and true to form they can do and say the funniest things!

Good luck using your secret weapon!!

Kind regards

David

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Update posted by Laser-Willie (the patient)

Thanks, David.

I just realised that I overlooked mentioning the medical staff treating me. They were professional, thorough and friendly — and they picked up on some other health issues that are potentially serious. In fact I'm still undergoing tests in several departments, including cardiology and neurology, to try to isolate the underlying causes.

Best of all, they listened to me when discussing my conditions and took my comments seriously. I was very appreciative of their willingness to do so. I realise how heavy their workloads can be.

The surgical team were terrific, too — confidence-building, in fact.

Update posted by Laser-Willie (the patient)

Recently, I had the stent in my right-hand ureter removed at Box Hill Hospital's Endoscopy Suites. I'd been looking forward to having it gone — the stent pain in the time since the original surgery had been enough at times to make me want to vomit without ever actually reaching that stage. But it was a dragging abdominal ache, especially while voiding my bladder.

I realised, when I reached the fourth floor Endoscopy suites in the old Building B, that they were located in the former operating theatre suites where I'd had surgery in 2012. The entire building seems to be being progressively refurbished to bring it to the standard of the new Building A.

The admin and nursing staff were friendly and professional, and I quickly found myself in a bed, in a hospital gown, waiting my turn in the queue. After a short sleep, I was wheeled into the same operating theatre — but it seemed much brighter this time.

One of the surgical team who removed the kidney stones re-introduced himself (I remembered him) and performed the procedure. I couldn't believe how proficiently it was done under local topical anaesthetic — nor how quickly! About 2 minutes into it I felt an urgent need to relieve myself. What I thought was a temporary interruption to accommodate my urgent need turned out to be the end of it — and I was soon back in the recovery ward getting dressed and preparing to go home.

I was extremely impressed by the skill of the 3-person team. No pain, no residual discomfort or even numbness from the anaesthetic gel. No bleeding, either.

A short wait while discharge information was given to me, along with some water and a snack — and a quick trip to the toilet to check everything was working properly — and I was leaving the hospital.

Everyone was professional, friendly, willing to explain anything I wanted to know, despite the surprising number of patients treated in such a short time.

I've had no after effects, apart from tiredness (unsurprising after a relatively invasive procedure) and my urinary tract is working perfectly once more.

Thanks again Box Hill Hospital!:D

Response from David Plunkett, Chief Executive, Eastern Health 7 years ago
David Plunkett
Chief Executive,
Eastern Health
Submitted on 11/07/2017 at 4:23 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:51 PM


picture of David Plunkett

Dear Laser Willie

Thanks again for providing your feedback on Patient Opinion. I am so pleased this experience was a good one for you!

The team on level 4 are terrific and all do an amazing job, so I'll be sure to pass on your feedback to them.

I'll also provide your feedback to the Neurology and Cardiology teams as well and appreciate your kind words re the great work they're doing.

Glad to hear things are 'back to normal' and thanks so much for your terrific sense of humour. I hope your grandchildren are conscious of your 'secret weapon'!

Kind regards

David

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Update posted by Laser-Willie (the patient)

Dear David,

That same grandson stayed with us on Friday night and came with his Grandma to collect me from Box Hill Hospital following the stent removal. He enthusiastically quizzed me on what had happened, all the way home, with lots of interruptions as his excitement grew and his imagination caught fire, expanding to almost match his eyes!

Grandma intervened, rebuking me for getting him so excited. That ended the discussion. But next day, when we returned him home, he couldn't wait to tell his brothers that "Pa's got a new video camera and 'claw' in his willie that he can grab you with while he lasers you — and he can video it and put it on Youtube!"

That kid watches far too much sci-fi on streamed television!

Response from David Plunkett, Chief Executive, Eastern Health 7 years ago
David Plunkett
Chief Executive,
Eastern Health
Submitted on 13/07/2017 at 11:24 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 11:51 AM


picture of David Plunkett

Dear Laser-Willie

Thanks for providing the next chapter of your experience and story. You've got such a wonderful relationship with your grandchildren and a terrific sense of humour!

Wishing you all the best.

Kind regards

David

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