The Royal Wedding at Saint Joseph's Hosptal, Tampa

The last week of April was almost surreal for me. It is one week I surely will not forget.

On Sunday, April 24^th on Easter Sunday evening, as hubby and I were snuggled in our king-sized bed, wrapped up in the Celebrity Apprentice drama, holding our breath, betting which B-list diva would get fired by the Donald, President Obama preempted the program, announcing that Osama bin Laden had been killed and buried at sea.

The next few days' news consisted mainly of two curiously, unrelated subjects -- more information on bin Laden's death and the upcoming Royal wedding in the UK between Price William and commoner Kate Middleton.

Little by little, over and over, we heard more and more questions on both subjects -- "Should the world see the gruesome bin Laden death photos." and "Is he really dead?"

Concerning the nuptials: "Why wasn't troublesome Sarah Ferguson (Prince Andrew's ex) invited to the Royal Wedding?" and "What about those silly hats, women wedding guests were apt to wear?" All this, plus sad beautiful pictures of Prince William's deceased mother, Princess Diana and her nemesis Camilla added to the daily drama.

However that week I had other things on my mind. On Wednesday morning I had a PCNL Kidney procedure scheduled at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Tampa.

A PCNL is another name for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, a procedure of clearing out large kidney stones through a hole in the patient's back drilled into the kidney. Stones are destroyed by laser, or extracted intact.

A PCNL is performed under general anesthesia. A stent, or drain tube is usually inserted at the time of the procedure and removed a week later. A PCNL removes large stones that can cause infection and kidney damage. It is 95% effective and requires a hospital stay of 2-3 days.

I have the bad luck of making staghorn stones and had the procedure done in the other kidney two years ago. I awoke from this surgery with good news, I had done well and 100% of the stones were removed. Relieved and thankful, I settled in for a few day's of post-op recovery.

Thursday the following day is a blur, with IV's, blood drawing, X-rays etc. but Friday, April 29th was very different.

I woke up at 4 AM hearing Royal Wedding music. My TV was turned on as well as every other TV in the area. Nursing and hospital staff would stop, watch and chat about the happy new couple and express hope that the marriage would be a happy one, blessed with children.

The wedding of the handsome prince and his beautiful bride provided a respite all day from the tragedies we are so used to seeing. Perhaps these two will "live happily ever after." The mood that day throughout the floor was one of hope.

As for me, I went home that evening, a little sore and tired, to my wonderful family. My experience at St. Josephs was very positive. The nurses and care I received were excellent. My doctor will work with me now to see that I don't get any more stones.

I am feeling better and have had the stent removed. Thanks to all my Yahoo/AC friends for their prayers and good wishes. You are the best.


Sources:

http://www.healtheast.org/st-joes/programs-services/kidney-stone/glossary-of-ter...

Personal Experience