So let’s see.. quick recap.
One week ago today I was in the ER with my first ever Kidney Stone. (WHAT???!!?!) Yeah. I woke up with horrible knife like pain in my back and could not sit, stand or function. My dear friend, neighbor and walking partner lovingly took me to the ER before the sun came up and sat by me and watched me writhe for 2 1/2 hrs. until I received pain meds. She sat by my bedside and took care of me in the sweet ministry that is Emesis bags and wet paper towels. Jen Hatmaker said at DotMom this year that “she has learned that just about every problem her kids have– can be cured with either a wet paper towel or a glass of water.” I’m convinced that’s true. No joke, there was service in those wet paper towels. There is seriously something so comforting about having a friend that doesn’t mind taking you to the hospital. ( Thanks, Amy! I promise to do the same for you should the need ever arise. ) She also helped watch my babies that afternoon until Lance took over and sent them home with a new Veggietales Movie.
By the time I got home from the hospital my mom had made the 5 hr. drive from Florida, (I’m pretty sure she just wanted to see my Christmas Decorations and catch up on Downton Abbey re-runs before the new season begins. Which we did–once the meds kicked in!) Also, each of our dinner meals that week had been taken care of by members of our small group. Another friend picked Lucy up from school and took care of her and the list just goes on of people that took care of us!! Such love!
Unfortunately, the same can NOT be said of all the emergency personnel we came in contact with. There should be a law against making “jokes” when your patient is doubled over groaning in pain and you KNOW you have absolutely no intention of helping her for at least another 2 hours. The meds did eventually come and life was sweet…
Until the official diagnosis came by way of the Dr with about a ‘2’ on the bedside manner scale.
Dr. What’shisname: “So you have a kidney stone.”
Me: “ok.”
Dr. What’shisname: “You know a lot of soda can cause them… do you drink a lot of soda?”
Me: “No, not really at all.”
Dr. What’shisname: “Oh well, do you eat a lot of greeny leafy vegetables?”
Me: “YES!” (hopeful, just knowing I’m about to pass this test!)
Dr. What’shisname: “Yeah, that can do it too.”
*Crickets*
So apparently I am supposed to avoid soda and green leafy vegetables. It figures. I knew all those salads and green smoothies were going to catch up with me someday. Here I was, just frittering away all my servings of vegetables and making sure I got enough vitamins like there was no tomorrow. Just eating green vegetables willy nilly– and never thinking about the consequences. Blast you, food pyramid.
So my ever gracious and compassionate Mom arrives. I don’t care who you are, you always need your mommy when you’re sick. If there’s one thing my mom is, it’s sympathetic. Which is nice, seeing as she spent all those years in the medical field– you’d expect she would have that “I’ve seen it all– get over it-you’re just fine” attitude. But not her. All I have to do is tell her I have a headache and she’s acts as though I’ve just had to remove my own appendix. It’s kinda nice. Like I said, you always need medical sympathy from your mom.
Within a day or two (or three?) I was feeling much better and things seemed to have.. you know– cleared up (out?) but I made the mistake of never making the official announcement that I had indeed passed the kidney stone.
I know this because the night before last, Lance and I had the following enlightening chat.
Him: “So how are you doing?”
Me: “Oh, I’m ok. much better now that I don’t think we’re going to catch the flu the kids have.” (Yes, the FLU!! what a week!!)
Him: “So… do you think you’ll pass the stone soon?”
Me: “WHAT??!?!?! Babe, that happened days ago.”
Him: “Really? Because people at work keep asking me if you passed it and I keep telling them no.”
So now I’m just a little embarrassed that everyone thinks I’ve just been walking around, hanging on to kidney stones for an inordinate amount of time.
Well, you know– hanging on to kidney stones and munching on way too much spinach and all.
I’m such a rebel. I might as well get a Harley.
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