SPRINGFIELD, Ore. , A Springfield woman reports that she has spent nine months attempting to resolve a medical condition that has left her reliant on a kidney drainage bag.
Sara Bride Twohy, 76, has carried a nephrostomy bag since January 13, 2026, when a complete blockage in her ureter required emergency hospitalization. The bag drains urine from her kidney through an external tube. Twohy states that medical staff initially described the arrangement as temporary while they planned surgery to repair her ureter.
Nine months later, she remains in the same condition.
“Dressing is difficult. Showering is difficult. Many everyday tasks are difficult because the bag shifts constantly as its weight changes with urine accumulation,” Twohy explained.
Twohy consulted multiple specialists in Oregon, including the Institute of Urology and Oregon Health & Science University. She received no surgery date and no definitive treatment plan. Frustrated, she pressed providers for a timeline.
“I asked, ‘Why can’t somebody give me an answer about when I’ll be free from this bag?’” Twohy recalled.
Twohy then traveled to Southern California in search of an alternative. She secured a consultation within a week and obtained a surgery date for the following week. California physicians recommended placing a stent that would redirect urine from her kidney into her bladder, eliminating the need for the external bag. They informed her the procedure would take only a few minutes.
After returning to Oregon, Twohy discovered that her insurance refused to cover the California procedure. She attempted to locate an Oregon-based provider capable of performing the same intervention. An Oregon practice manager spent several weeks advocating on her behalf, yet the referral failed to advance.
Twohy continues to search for an in-state provider who accepts her insurance and can perform the procedure. She has yet to identify one.
“Nine months have passed, and I have made no progress,” Twohy said. “I could have walked out of the hospital yesterday, and I still have no idea how to move forward.”
Twohy is currently raising between $5,000 and $7,000 to cover the cost of the California procedure out of pocket. She is also collaborating with a patient advocacy group to navigate her insurance benefits and locate an available provider.
For Twohy, the struggle extends beyond the medical procedure itself.
“I am old, and my life is passing me by while I remain stuck with this,” she said.
She wants to resume the activities she enjoyed before the nephrostomy bag entered her daily routine.
“My life is falling apart,” Twohy stated. “I want to take action, but I cannot do it alone. I cannot fix this by myself.”
Twohy continues her search for a provider who can perform the procedure and accept her insurance. Those interested in supporting her efforts can locate her fundraiser through the link she has shared.
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