Night in the ER

I have been struggling with kidney stone stuff since Christmas. Most of the time I can manage when the pain begins. I have learned to layer Tylenol and Advil and hug a hot water bottle. I drink extra water and after a bit it all calms down. Then I get a span of time pain free before the whole thing begins again. Sometimes I know before the pain hits because of the blood in the urine. Then I can initiate a preemptive strike.

Somehow yesterday amongst all the joy I must have forgotten to drink enough because I barely got home when the overwhelming pain dropped me to my knees. I took the pain meds, but I knew right away I had lost control. I was going to have to go to the ER. Rats and phooey. That is one place I prefer not to be. But there is no help for it. I climb in the car and head out despite protests from Drew and Kiel. But there is no way I am dragging anyone else into what promises to be an all night mess.

As soon as I arrive, I put on a mask to try and prevent picking up any germs. I explain that I have a compromised immune system and that I am in pain from a kidneystone. They take me seriously once they look at my record and put me in a room right away. The doctor sends me for a ct scan, and once the stone is confirmed (although there is already a confirmation from previous scans - 2 stones, the largest one 7 mm) she immediately gives me a shot. I lie back and let the warmth consume me, relaxing slowly as the medicine takes effect.

But the pain is persistent. It dies down but does not go away. I end up getting a second shot and now I am nauseous. I have to take something for that. Once the pain is gone, they release me, but I am too woozy to drive myself home. The nurse understands and does not rush me, letting me sleep a bit longer until I can manage. Yup - I have been there all night. And yes, I do have an appointment with the urologist in two days. And yes, they are sending me home with stronger pain med prescriptions than just Tylenol. Sigh.

I have never been able to pass a stone on my own. And this one is only half way down the tube from the kidney to the bladder. They usually make me wait until it is close to the bladder or in it before they intervene. We shall see. Meanwhile, I will miss my first morning of class. Rats. Stone, stone, go away, don't come back and make me pay.