What can I expect (for recovery, quality of life, life expectancy, etc.) after just having a percutaneous nephrostomy procedure done on my right kidney, with a stent inserted, and now facing the same on the right side, without the stent?
I am male, 55 years-old, and battling high and rising Prostate cancer-PSA numbers. We can't proceed to find out why the PSA number is such, after successful radiation treatment, with a supporting LHRH Agonist Eligard® six-month shot*, until the kidney(s) problem is stabilized (shooting now to get the creatine levels down from a high of 6.5 eleven days ago, before the stent and nephrostomy tube - last at a 4.2 four days ago - down at or below 1.5). Post-radiation got my PSA number down to .6 (from an astronomical number!). *But I discontinued the Eligard® teatment due to side-effects. Alternatives (such as Casodex®) have proved less successful, and now I have this kidney situation, with many questions. I'd been given an opportunity while hospitalized to speak with a Nephrologist, but it has not materialized. The big problem is, my urologist has been on vacation this whole week following the stent and tube procedure, and I've been left with only a PA to interact with (???). On receiving the results from my latest blood test (this past Monday), the PA determined I should immediately return to the hospital, to prepare for and have a nephrostomy tube inserted on the left side, as it must be slowing the recovery process (I tend to agree). There was no mention of the stent procedure. But I refused to move that quickly, at least without consultation with my urologist, a recommended substitute, or with a certified Nephrologist, mostly for general questions such as I've entered above. I am now scheduled for the left-side procedure in three days (Tuesday, 6/23), after a new blood test Monday. This, to my knowledge, will leave me with a bag on both sides of my body, one expected to be removed some time soon, and the newer one basically "permanent", unless and until some other procedure and approach is taken, such as transplant or dialysis.