# Where's davidm? In the hospital recovering from a medical screwup. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 29, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049 "2017-11-29T12:24:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2020, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/541 "2020-02-28T09:04:38Z")
Kidney stones are no fun. Sorry you’re dealing with that. Please keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2020, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/542 "2020-02-28T20:52:56Z")
I just spoke with the urologist. I have more than the one stone. I also have a couple in my left kidney. He’s scheduling an ultrasound. If I don’t pass the one that’s causing problems, then he’ll schedule a procedure to remove it. That means a scope of my ureter. As you can imagine, the idea of a scope bothers me, although this is obviously different than the bowel. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2020, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/543 "2020-02-28T21:10:56Z")
There is a procedure that uses sonic waves to break up the stones instead of the scope. You should discuss that with your doctor. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2020, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/544 "2020-02-28T22:15:46Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > There is a procedure that uses sonic waves to break up the stones instead of the scope. You should discuss that with your doctor. Isn’t that for gallstones? ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2020, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/545 "2020-02-28T22:24:19Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Isn’t that for gallstones? lithotripsy ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2020, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/546 "2020-02-29T04:45:11Z")
Not everyone is a candidate for lithotripsy and it does require the use of specialized equipment. > **[Lithotripsy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007113.htm)** > > Lithotripsy is a procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones in the kidney and parts of the ureter (tube that carries urine from your kidneys to your bladder). After the procedure, the tiny pieces ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2020, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/547 "2020-02-29T05:24:19Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Not everyone is a candidate for lithotripsy and it does require the use of specialized equipment. > > [https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007113.htm](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007113.htm) So it still may require a scope in the urethra. And it may be that all of my past abdominal surgeries make me it inappropriate for me. If it requires a scope then that’s what I’ll do. It’s very unlikely that it will cause any damage. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2020, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/548 "2020-02-29T07:13:35Z")
They did lithotripsy at my old hospital. Granted, this was 10-plus years ago, but it had to be done in a dedicated room and everyone had to wear earplugs because the procedure was so loud, and apparently the person feels like they took a few thousand punches to the belly (which they did). There are advantages and disadvantages to all the different procedures. Just hope yours is successful and only has to be done once. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2020, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/549 "2020-02-29T13:27:46Z")
If it’s like punches to the belly then it’s probably inappropriate for me since a lot of my abdominal muscle is gone and I have a few hernias. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/550 "2020-02-29T22:13:02Z")
Ask about it. It’s worth the inquiry. My mom has had it done that way on multiple occasions because she is not a good candidate for procedures that may cause bleeding. It sounds like a possible option for you. In the meantime, drink all the water and fluids. Passing may hurt, but it is _usually_ the best option. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2020, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/551 "2020-03-06T09:31:38Z")
I haven’t had to take an oxy for a couple of days now. The pain is pretty much gone. I’ve passed some grit and about half a dozen smaller stones. Then yesterday I heard a clunk, looked in the strainer, and saw a boulder that must have been the culprit. I’ve always heard that passing stones is incredibly painful, but I wouldn’t have even noticed if I didn’t see it. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/552 "2020-03-07T04:56:03Z")
Hope this ordeal is all over for you. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/553 "2020-03-08T13:54:46Z")
sounds successful! We all hope that is the end of this episode. Take care of yourself. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/554 "2025-02-26T12:20:42Z")
Waking up an old thread. After 7 long years my lawsuit has settled. The day a trial was to begin, the lawyers met in the judge’s chamber and reached a settlement. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/555 "2025-02-26T13:54:37Z")
Thanks for the update. We take it your physical ordeal is more or less over (with some inconveniences you’ll have to manage for the rest of your days)? And, are you reasonably satisfied with the legal/financial settlement? I’m not trying to be nosy, and you needn’t answer my questions if you don’t want to. I just wanted to know if you’re doing okay, really. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/556 "2025-02-26T14:57:50Z")
I’ll be dealing with health issues the rest of my life. In fact I recently was in the ER getting IV fluids due to dehydration. Regarding the nature of the settlement, I’m not able to discuss that. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/557 "2025-02-26T20:30:37Z")
I’m so sorry to hear that (the first part). ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/558 "2025-03-05T08:50:48Z")
And… I’m back in the hospital. A bladder stone and a UTI. They diid a cat scan because I was peeing blood. They found the stone, but they also found a suspected bowel obstruction. I have NO symptoms of a bowel obstruction. That is not what i went to the doctor for. I honestly suspect that my insides are so rearranged that they don’t know what they’re looking at. In any case there is no way in hell I’m letting them [scope.me](http://scope.me). NO WAY NO HOW. I’ve had nothing to eat since breakfast. I’m starving but they won’t let me have anyrhing but water. 😭 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/559 "2025-03-05T09:30:48Z")
I hate the starvation torture hospitals always want to put people in. Are you expecting a surgical procedure in a few hours? Have you thought of door dash? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/560 "2025-03-05T09:47:30Z")
No surgical procedure. Theyre treating the UTI with antibiotics and theyll give me a urology referral for the bladder stone. What good is door dash if I can’t eat? Im seeing a surgeon in the morning, and fortunately it’s the surgeon who saved my life the last time and was royally pissed that they did the scope back in 2017. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=29)