Almost 3 years ago I had a first incident of my urine appearing like Ribena blackcurrant juice. A same day emergency appointment with my GP ruled out a urinary infection as did the path lab after studying the sample. Referral to urology led to a CT scan of bladder, prostate and kidneys together with a cystoscopy (physical internal examination of the bladder). Result all normal.
Further incidents of blackcurrant juice coloured urine led to re-referrals back to urology and the same investigations. Result - all normal although a few very small kidney stones were observed. Reassurance and discharge.
By this time I'd now bought my own pot of urine dipsticks (same ones the GPs use) and became a bit OCD about testing my urine. Even on the good days when the urine looked clear and healthy the dipstick showed blood present.
I wrongly put 100% faith in the premise that it was the small kidney stones that were causing the problem and simply adjusted my diet to reduce risk of further stones. Then in January this year came the worst case yet of blood in the urine and now with blood clots. Another GP emergency appointment led to yet another urology referral. More investigations followed including 3 CT scans this month together with a kidney biopsy. Result - grade 2 kidney cancer established more than 2 years.
With the benefit of hindsight and another (this time) closer look at the CT images from 2 years ago, suspicion can actually be seen that something was wrong (separate to the kidney stones observation). Just wondering whether anyone would agree or disagree with the following -
1. Should middle aged and older people routinely dip stick their urine perhaps even just once a year to check for blood, glucose, protein etc? This would be included as part of a routine private medical but not everyone can afford this or would be inclined to go for routine check ups.
2. Do consultants personally also view CT images or do they trust and accept the radiologist's report?
3. Is it just one radiologist that views and then reports on a CT image or is there a double check from a colleague?
