As planned, I called the urologist this morning, but they basically told me that it would take around a week to get any procedures done.  This wasn’t acceptable considering the amount of pain Autumn had endured all weekend.  Fortunately, they were kind enough to refer me to another urologist with an onsite lithotriptor who might be able to get it done faster.  Those guys, however, told me that without insurance, the cost of the procedure would be thousands of dollars.  Fortunately, they were kind enough to refer me to Denver Health, who’s mission statement includes the desire to “provide access to the highest quality health care, whether for prevention, or acute and chronic diseases regardless of ability to pay.”  Now, that’s my kind of hospital!

Anyway, we headed over to Denver Health’s ER before being sent to their Adult Urgent Care Clinic (which is kind of like ER Jr.).  The people there shot Demerol into Autumn’s asscheek and began the process of trying to get our medical records from the Aurora Medical Center.  Aurora gave them the write-up of the problem, but for some reason couldn’t seem to pony up the CT scans.  Since Denver Health (who can technically only admit non-Denver residents in the event of an emergency) wanted to ensure that her stone really was 7mm and urgent, they decided to just go ahead and do their own cat scan.

The scan showed something interesting and sucky.  The contrast dye that Autumn had swallowed Saturday morning, was still very much in her right kidney, meaning two things:  1) The stone itself cannot be exactly located within that bright white mess. 2) The stone is definitely blocking off the ureter, effectively stopping that kidney from working.

Tomorrow morning, the doctors will be placing a stent, which is essentially a long wire mesh tube that can be inflated to make the ureter bigger.  This will allow the stone to pass through and will also possibly allow them to use shock waves to obliterate the little fucker on the spot.  I’m not worried in the slightest that anything is going to happen to Autumn;  she’ll be just fine.  However, she’s never been in the hospital or undergone any kind of procedure like this and I know she’s very scared.  I absolutely hated leaving her there alone tonight.  I really wish I could be there tomorrow morning, too, but I unfortunately must return to work.

The people at Denver Health, however, have treated her amazingly well so far.  Currently, she is sitting in the 8th floor of the hospital in a private room.  I’m almost certain that the view from her window is the best one you can get in this town.  The entire Denver skyline is illuminated for her tonight.