Stent Excreted

Today my mom excreted a stent  --- what do we expect now?  We are amazed that this could happen.  It came out in full, completely intact with her waste.  We were not warned that this could happen, so we were in shock, of course.  We are under the impression that the surgeon placed  two stents, so one may still be in place, performing correctly. We pray this is the case.  I just wanted to share this -- don't know that anyone has had the same experience or not --- or ever heard of it. ???  Please feel free to share, if so.   We will wait to see if her jaundice or fever or itching return.  Maybe her appt. at Mayo (1-28-08) will be promising.  We continue to pray (and expect) a miracle...

Jamie in GA

Janie,

Check your other messages, I've been communicating with you.

Now about the stent.  If the doctor put in 2 stents I'm sure one was in the right hepatic duct and one was in the left hepatic duct. You say one was found in your mothers stool...I'm sure this mean one slipped down through the common bile duct into the small intestine and through the large bowel and out.

 This doesn't sound good at all.  With the stent gone the duct may collapse and restrict the bile flow causing a backup into the liver thus causing an infection with a high fever and possible body chills...this is not good. 

I would pray, But I would also get you mother ASAP to your local ER advise them of the situation, give them her doctors name...I'm sure they will want your mom to see the IR doctor and have the stent replaced.

Do not wait for the jaundice, fever's or itching to return, you're playing with fire.  Do not wait for anything to happen...be pro-active and protect your mother

Leonard 

 

 

My mom's 3rd ERCP procedure was today.  She lost it almost a week ago.  We were mistaken when we misunderstood the surgeon on the 2nd ERCP... we thought he placed a 2nd stent (one intra, one extra) - nope - he replaced the first one that wasn't in good position and he was afraid of failure.  The new surgeon used a smaller stent and feels really good about his placement.  :-)  We pray for long-term success this time.  We are currently in the hospital - she is having dry heaves, stomach pain and diarreah.  Not sure if she caught a virus, got food poisoning or if it's just a side effect to the hamburger she consumed 4 hrs post-op.  Either way - hamburgers are OFF the list of approved foods now!  For a change she felt like eating so we gave her whatever she wanted --- bad choice... lesson learned by ALL of us.  Her bilirubin was elevated today (< 5) down from 18 & 9.  She has short spurts of depression - understandably, but most of the time she's in good spirits, although not physically good.  The Mayo appt. is in 3 days - we MUST get her well to travel and pray she feels better and is a candidate for the clinical trials.  Anything is better than no treatment option.

Hi Jamie,

I just read your latest message. Just a little confused regarding the recent issues.

I really believe you will get a real eye opener when you get to the Mayo Clinic. I can't remember...is surgery an option or are you waiting for the Mayo Doctors to inform you.

the bilirubin count is high but a lot better than 18.

Hope things go well at Mayo.

Take care of yourself,

Leonard 

 

My mom remains in the hospital - although the 3rd ERCP was/is successful - all lab levels are showing improvement except for her pancreatic levels - CT scan and lab work shows pancreatitis (spelling?)  She had a really bad night and we thought it was from the hamburger but it wasn't.  She will remain here for a few more days and the Mayo Clinic appt has been rescheduled for 2-6-08.  No fever, just pain now - the diarrhea and dry heaves have passed.  No food, no water for a few days.

Hi Jamie,

Sounds like the problems are starting to get complicated... I'm assuming when you say the ERCP was successful, you mean they were able to see additional issues with the Pancreas.  Having a Klatskin Tumor is bad enough add the pancreas issue...not the greatest...

Get you mom to the Mayor Clinic as soon as possible. It sounds like she is having a real hard time.

I wish you and your mom the very best.

Take Care...Leonard from Alamo