I’m adding visual aides to this and hoped that helps
We all have 2 kidneys, one left, one right, each has a Ureter (drainage tube) that leads from the kidney down to the bladder
Faith of course has to be different 🤦♀️😂
Faith has what’s called a “duplex” kidney on the right side
So her right kidney did not form correctly and she has “two” kidneys and 2 ureters
Think of conjoined twins
This next pic looks close to what Faith’s kidney looks like on the right side
Her left kidney is perfectly normal by the way
As you can see there is an upper and lower kidney and each kidney section has its own ureter
The lower kidney is the “duplex”
The upper kidney is perfectly normal and functioning well
The lower kidney is the one that had the 2cm stone in it
The issue she has now is that there is urine trapped inside that lower kidney and causing the kidney to be inflamed or “dilated”
What the MRI of her kidney showed is that the lower ureter is restricted or narrowed so much so that it’s not allowing urine to pass from the lower kidney to the bladder
It’s “obstructed”
That narrowing and the trapped urine is what is causing stone formation and is also a big reason why she gets UTIs
Think of stagnant water
No water flow, allows for stagnant water and sediment to build up
If that helps
So
Faith needs another surgery
They want to do a Pyeloplasty
Which basically means
They want to cut out the “obstructed” segment of the lower ureter and reconnect it with a stent
The stent will then be removed about a month or so later
Dr. Tasian feels extremely confident that this can be done At Pittsburgh and Dr Cannon her new urologist (since June) is willing to do it
We are also waiting until after the holidays to do this