A Tube Up The Penis
December 15, 2007 | Filed under Family & Friends
I came home yesterday night from work, only to immediately drive my father to the emergency room at our regional (government-funded, public) hospital. After spending the entire sleepless night in their treatment area, conferring with nurses on my father’s medical history, he was finally diagnosed with four large kidney stones in his right kidney at 8am this morning.
By 10am today, he was transferred to a nearby hospital that specialises in urology, so that they could better monitor his situation. The stones in question are large enough to obstruct the ureter, so his system is currently being flushed with water in the hope that they’ll pass through his body the ‘natural’ way. If not, we’re looking at invasive surgery involving a tube up the penis to dislodge the stones, or else, keyhole surgery requiring actual incisions into the body.
The scariness of the situation aside (it’s very hard watching your parent in pain), it’s clear to see that the public health service in Australia is clearly top-notch. We were ushered into emergency treatment area within seconds of arriving, were granted a private room at the second hospital after being driven there in an ambulance, have had near-gourmet meals provided, and have had every need catered for assiduously. What other country has this type of service for its citizens without requiring them to pay a cent towards their medical care?
In any case, I’m only home right now to take a quick shower and pick up some essentials. I’m spending the night at the hospital again with my dad, just in case there’s any language difficulties as there has been over the past thirty-six hours where I’ve been translator, massager of sore abdomens, and filler of water glasses. Wish him luck!
25 Responses to A Tube Up The Penis
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I hope all goes well. :)
Amber on December 15, 2007 #
Love and good vibes for your pa, Amanda. <3 When my dad had pancreatitis I was terrified for him, so I know how it feels. :(
Jordie on December 15, 2007 #
I hope your Dad’s okay. I know what you mean about the health system (I live in Aus too) being top-notch: My Dad was visiting a friend in hospital, a doctor was there, and they told my Dad he had skin cancer symptoms, but because it was detected so early he’s completely okay now, as they were able to cut it out.
Melinda on December 15, 2007 #
Give him a hug for me *hugs* and theres one for you too.
Skye on December 15, 2007 #
I hope he gets better soon.
Hospitals in Canada are free too, but the food isn’t good.
Julie on December 15, 2007 #
I hope all goes well. :)
My mother has had a vastly different experience with our hospital system. A few years ago, her bowel collapsed and she was unable to eat or drink anything, and was in a lot of pain. Dad drove her to the emergency room of the closest hospital at midnight, and she was made to wait for hours while people coming in from ambulances or with blood on their faces got seen to first.
I think that our health system is, by and large, fairly good, though. The thought of living in a country where I would have to pay for emergency treatment scares me—what if I, for one reason or another, didn’t have the money? Would I just be left to die? I’m fairly sure that’s not caring for your citizens. One of the many reasons I am not planning to emigrate from Australia…
Jess on December 15, 2007 #
Sorry to hear about your dad’s condition! I hope that everything goes well and that he’d be okay soon. :D
I am very amazed with how your health care system works. Here in the Philippines, that kind of service is what you get at the top hospitals only [in which you have to pay thousands of pesos for].
Enzo on December 15, 2007 #
GET BETTER SOON AMANDA’S DADDY!!!!
You’re lucky the hospitals are good there. Ours are public too, and it is not unheard of to sit bleeding from the head in the waiting room. A few years ago, there was a big outrage because some women were forced to miscarry in the waiting room, in front of everyone. Now, they have another small room for that, but still. It’s pretty bad, but there just aren’t enough nurses and doctors.
Aisling on December 15, 2007 #
Aww poor dad :(
The medical care in Australia sounds amazing, I wish we had it that good here. In this country, you’ll probably die in the emergency room’s lobby before they bother to take you in. My grandpa had a heart attack recently and they wouldn’t do anything! “fill in this papers…then wait and we’ll call you”.
Anyway, I really hope that your dad gets better soon, and without any surgical intervention!
Lene on December 15, 2007 #
Hope everything goes well! The medical system in Melbourne sounds a lot better than Sydney’s atm. Our hospitals are constantly in the news for having women miscarriaging in waiting rooms and tables breaking during operations with patients on them – it’s ridiculous.
But at least your Dad is getting the good treatment! Hopefully everything happens naturally!
Paddy on December 15, 2007 #
Jealous of your local healthcare system. But…yow. I hope it all helps your dad.
*hugs and flowers and get-well-soon cards*
Leila on December 15, 2007 #
Oh gosh that’s terrible! I hope your dad gets better real quick the “natural” way.
Yay for universal healthcare!
Belinda on December 16, 2007 #
I really hope your dad makes it through okay, and Im glad you guys are in good hands :) Wishing you the best. Its shit to have this happen during the holidays. Merry Christmas.
CJ on December 16, 2007 #
My dad gets kidney stones *a lot*. I’m talking upwards of 20 a year. His body just naturally produces too much of whatever they’re made of.
I’d recommend laser surgery as the easiest (and least painful) way of removal, but sometimes hospitals are reluctant to do it. I think it depends on the facility. Waiting it out hurts like hell, but it’s not so bad.
You can tell you dad that he now knows the pains of childbirth, for a man passing a kidney stone is fairly equivalent to a woman giving birth.
Jennifer on December 16, 2007 #
Good luck! I hope your dad gets better soon.
Kimmie on December 16, 2007 #
The pain of passing a stone is unparalleled. I hope your dad gets better soon.
Robmarie on December 16, 2007 #
Sending lots of luck vibes your way! My dad’s in the hospital too, but he’s definitely not getting the same good service as your dad. :(
Emily on December 16, 2007 #
Agreed with Paddy – the system in Sydney’s just faltering. You should see the amount of claims making the news …
But in any case, am sending positive vibes your way, plus for your father and family. Best of luck!
Xuan on December 16, 2007 #
I hope your dad ends up okay!
I never knew health care in Australia was so good :P
Kaylee on December 16, 2007 #
I hope your dad will be okay. And I wish you luck with your translating.
Kycoo on December 16, 2007 #
Oh gosh, hope your dad’s going to be ok! My dad had kidney stones too a while back, but when he came back for treatment they had already dissolved. It was funny situation actually. Hopefully they’ll just come out the normal way.
And that’s good to hear about your health system! Here in the Philippines public hospitals have unspeakable conditions, and in some private hospitals they’ll let you die before they perform any operations without payment. There was one case where a hospital withheld a family’s baby because they couldn’t pay for delivery and other expenses. But that’s another story.
Good luck again to your dad!
Kat on December 16, 2007 #
Great to hear that the health system in my old country is in such good shape. I could fill a book with my experiences of health care in different countries (well, not now). If it has made it to Australia, go see Michael Moore´s latest film, ´Sicko´, a stunning account of how the richest country in the world manages both to spend more on health care than anyone else while providing third-world care or worse to many of its citizens. It´s worth remembering that good health systems don´t come by accident. I´m old enough to remember the bitter battles in Australia of the 70s, as the private health care system and many doctors fought what they saw as ´socialized´ medicine. Fortunately, they lost, and the Labor politicians and activists of the day won: and that is why your father got such good care. So who says politics doesn´t make a difference?
Peter on December 16, 2007 #
I wish your dad and your family only the best! My grandmother had kidney stones a few years back and I do remember my mom and her siblings taking turns in the hospital, not fun.
marilyn on December 16, 2007 #
I hope your dad gets well soon :D
Noemi on December 16, 2007 #
I had a tube sticked up my dick before. It hurt like hell i was 13 years old at the age. Though there was a sexy women doctor handling me. I tried not to get a boner since my dad was there >;(
Moham on January 20, 2009 #