Shock waves.

Last Friday was my big lithotripsy day where my 6-7 mm kidney stone was pulverized. I was unusually calm except for the freezing hospital. I think working in a hospital and circulating in surgeries helped and, of course, knowing that this was really not that big of a procedure and I was in good hands. The surgery was short. They put me on a table with this rubber cutout which is where they partially submerge me in water, of course, after I am asleep. then they send ultrasonic waves to my back where the kidney stone is inside my kidney and the shock waves break up the stone. All I remember is moving onto the surgery bed and a mask being put over my face. I was asleep in less than 2 minutes and thank goodness because the only time that I panicked was when they put the mask on my face. I am clostrophobic and I felt like I was going to sufficate. I had to keep telling myself to just relax. I then woke up to a horrible heavy and sleepy feeling that seemed to last a long time. In the past when I had received anesthesia, it took a really long time for me to wake up. I felt the same way this time, but knowing this, I struggled to make myself stay awake so that I could be discharged home faster, but for two days I was really tired and had a heavy chest when breathing. The best part of it all was that I was never in that much pain. I was expecting a lot of soreness. It was great. I did not need to take any pain medications. I did, however, urinate blood and small stones for about 3 days. Overall, it was a very successful procedure. The really good news is that I met my urologist and he was a really great guy. He also seemed concerned and determined to figure out why I was producing so many kidney stones. So I will be undergoing more tests and hopefully get my kidneys working properly. This experience turned out really good and I am so thankful for the wonderful technology that was have today and for the knowledge and research to perform these procedures.