After extolling the virtues of accepting life’s serendipitous gifts along the quotidian way, I got another big surprise. Ironic, I suppose, that I was surprised. It was, though, of a far less delightful sort: a quick descent into serious physical discomfort, followed by a trip to the hospital. Again. Only the third time in my entire life, yet the second time in less than a month. Not at all ‘life as planned.’
If you’re uncomfortable with reading about illness or medical stuff, skip the rest of this post and know that it’s about my having been sick but still being alive and well enough to write the post! And I’ll see you tomorrow. ‘Bye, now!
Saturday, sometime in the mid-morning, I started feeling less than fabulous. A slight pain around my middle started to come and go in varying waves, accompanied by a host of related symptoms that something unpleasant was lurking inside. From then into Monday evening, the symptoms worsened between shortening periods of calm. I was irritated, as much as anything, that I felt just as lousy as I had at the beginning of this month when I paid that previous visit to the Emergency Room and went home with a flu diagnosis and antibiotics, albeit feeling much better, on my release, for the ER treatment I’d received. It was more than a little irksome to think that I would have a case of gastroenteritis strong enough to make me think I had kidney stones not just once-ever, but twice in one month.
Monday night was kind of ugly. I already felt rotten at bedtime, enough so that I sent my spouse off to our bed by himself and tried to get comfortable enough to sleep elsewhere, since I felt too awful to lie flat. After hours of perching awkwardly this way and that on various pieces of furniture and the floor, alternated with pacing and a multitude of trips to the loo that were neither especially productive nor reassuring, I was no better, a bit worse, and much more anxious. I couldn’t even decide whether the success of those anti-nausea pills I’d been given but not needed after the weeks-ago hospital jaunt was that much of a boon, as (having taken one now) I was glad not to be spitting out my soul in a foul fountain of retching wretchedness, but still felt horridly nauseous. And I was loath to wake my beloved and have him drag me off to the ER again not only because I felt a bit like I was ‘crying wolf’ and just going to get hydrated, mollified, and sent off home again, but more importantly, because the upcoming day was the final day of recall-auditions for my guy’s larger university choir, after an already intense four days of preliminary auditions and the complicated, concentrated consideration of who would come together to make the fittest, most balanced choir out of the 180-some singers who had started the audition process.
All of that agonizing of his, and mine, went out the window by 3:30 yesterday (Tuesday) morning. I just plain felt horrible, and it wasn’t showing any signs of stopping. Fifteen minutes later we were off to the hospital again.
Are We Having Fun Yet?
I had the good fortune to be taken in instantly and examined by the night’s ER team in rapid succession. I had virtually identical symptoms to those of my previous visit, so the tests and questions were pretty much as expected. The one benefit, I suppose, of my having waited longer this time was that although I’d had longer to feel bad, I’d also had those brief windows of feeling marginally better, and thinking I’d kicked the bug or it had at least retreated, I’d been able to eat a bit at times and, more importantly, drink fluids, so I wasn’t nearly so dehydrated. The immediate bonus of that being that on ER intake, I did actually have more than a half-teaspoon of fluid in my bladder when asked for a sample.
That ‘donation’ of mine should have been easily more healthy by mere reason of better hydration in the days and hours preceding the visit, but it was concentrated and looked orange. The latter, it emerged, was because it contained a bunch of red blood cells. To my surprise and, I think, to the ER doctor’s. Because everything was generally pointing flu-ward again. He’d generally ruled out appendicitis (yay!) and heart attack (YAY!), but said that this small curiosity was not one to be brushed off casually, so he sent me down the hall for a CT scan. Where, in a couple of pictures that looked comically like those prenatal sonograms with their adorable babies waving in amniotic bliss, my “baby” was a little alien blob, quite egg-like in shape and about the size of a brand-new pencil eraser, perched slightly below my right kidney. My own personal meteorite, staking its territory inside and making me feel kind of nasty and more than a little ticked off at its invasion.
Let me just say that I don’t fault the previous ER doctor in any way for not finding this, although I can’t imagine by any stretch that it took less than a month from start to finish for me to produce a stone of this size. It was already there, and on the move. But because of its size, it seems entirely possible to me that the thing hasn’t wandered as much as typical kidney stones, not having so much room to maneuver, and so has paused at whatever cubbies and intersections it could squeeze into, thus having those in-between times of stillness when my system could temporarily adjust and not keep actively trying to evict it. Still, it would have been nice to uncover the culprit by showing the right symptoms on first try, rather than having to come back for a sequel.
The sequel to this actual diagnosis should have been straightforward enough. Question: is it small enough to ‘go through the pipes’ and leave under its own momentum? Answer: not likely. Safe to guess that passing a pencil eraser through plumbing that narrow would be ugly, if not impossible. Impassable. The doctor’s recommended urologist happened to be ‘in the house’ at the time of my visit, so he was consulted on the spot and tentatively recommended ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy), to be done at his outpatient clinic after a consultation. That consult happened earlier this afternoon. Tomorrow (Thursday) is the procedure. Yay?
Meanwhile, back at the ER, among the many tests administered were those aimed at determining whether I’d had or was having a heart attack, despite the complete lack of chest or arm pain on my part. I’ve read that women’s heart attacks do sometimes present less obviously than men’s, and of course, that anyone can have an anomalous episode of pretty much any ailment. So I wasn’t alarmed. But my heart enzyme levels were just enough higher than expected that the ER doctor decided to monitor them, strictly for insurance and assurance if for no other reason.
That’s when the second-most unexpected element of the whole episode came into effect. He had me admitted to the hospital for overnight observation and re-testing of something almost entirely unrelated to the cause of my hospital visit in the first place. The downside of this was, of course, being put in the hospital. First, and I hope last, time ever. Chances were fair that any elevation of the enzymes might have been attributed to the stress and pain of having a kidney stone, not to mention the concomitant upset of having to go back to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
As there was little worry on my part that anything dire was about to be revealed about my heart, and I already felt worlds better for having been ER-treated for my pain, the prospect of my observational stay in the hospital wasn’t frightening. I decided to treat it as a cosmically granted day of education and R&R. So while I don’t recommend hospital visits as either a cool substitute for a community college night course, let alone an even trade for a spa vacation, I found I got a few similar values from it overall.
As the twenty or so professionals who took over my life and well-being for the remainder of my stay were unfailingly kind, patient, and willing to answer any question or explain any mystery, I found them to be highly informative company. As the majority of them were also tremendously gracious and good-humored, they were just plain good company—the sort I’d happily visit with over lunch any old time. Assuming I didn’t require a morphine cocktail just to sit through lunch, on the day. Hospitals being what they are, I wouldn’t necessarily trade the amenities of a designer-decorated seaside spa with its celebrity chef and rose petal-strewn massage chamber for a place where even the sweetest people are wont to wake you every twenty minutes to two hours to stick needles in you, squeeze your arms and feet, ask how often you’ve visited the toilet lately, or—without a trace of sarcasm—ask how you’ve been sleeping. But (hospitals being what they are), I had a fairly peaceful and definitely worthwhile recovery from feeling anxiously, very uncomfortably, unwell.
Now, if I can just get this blasted nephrolith blasted. Delightful as it is to learn all kinds of new and interesting things about my heart through my echocardiogram yesterday, about hospital procedures and history through talking to staff, and about yet more of my million limitations as a frail humanoid creature through the last few days’ adventures. Oh, and I learned why I’ve always been so averse to mathematics: internalizing calculus turned out to be a regrettably vexatious experience for me.
Here’s to ejecting the little pest and returning to my delightfully dull self!
Art-Colored Glasses 
I’m picturing a firework that blasts off and then radiates out with sparkly stars. Then I’m guessing you will be drinking and peeing a lot. That old saying comes to mind, “I had a blast”. I’ve just never thought of it in that way. Big lovey hugs to both of you darlings. Hope it all comes out OK in the end. 😉
Many, many thanks for all of the loving support, dearest! So glad to be on the upward trajectory now and not rolling downhill anymore. Plus, I’m building up a tiny but fascinating collection of beach sand to share with the lab soon, and that will undoubtedly be informative regarding how to *keep* moving in a positive direction dietarily or behaviorally or whatever. If not, it could be a source of fabulous glitter to decorate my tiara, right?
Big hugs!
Good morning Kathryn, Well what a surprise….and am so pleased to hear that this is something that will pass……although I have heard from anyone who has suffered from kidney stones, that it is one of the most painful things ever! Well, at least you will know that you are well after all those tests…..and may you go home very soon, relax….pass the bloody little stone….and get on with your life with new gusto. Sending magical hummingbirds in your direction…janet. xxx
You have done a stellar job with the hummingbirds, my dear Janet! I’ve seen more come and go, and more sit perched and sipping, at my feeder today than in the whole rest of the summer. That can’t be a coincidence.
Having had the stone blasted to sand yesterday, I am indeed both relieved of the ‘corked’ effect that was making my right kidney very unhappy and relieved in spirit, knowing that every little grain of sand that leaves me is putting me one jot closer to full health again.
Many thanks for the hummingbird-wrangling!
❤ ❤ ❤
Kathryn
Wonderful news, and may the hummingbirds keep visiting:)xx
They have been remarkably faithful, and I give you great credit for lending them to me!
❤ ❤
:):)xx
Nasty. Hope you are fully recovered soon
I’m on my way, thank you! I appreciate your kind wishes very much.
xo
Oh my darling Kath, what an ordeal you have endured, here’s to you being pain free and your normal happy self again.
Love to you from a rainy and chilly SA.
🙂 Mandy xo
Many thanks, my darling! And I’m quite certain that the cooler temperature here today is thanks to your good wishes from the SA chill. Deeply welcome here!! I’m resting comfortably today and being a good girl with gallons of fluids being processed by the hour and not much pain at all—probably the worst of it at the moment is simply an abraded side where the lasering was introduced, plus the post-excitement lassitude and fog—all of which I expect will lessen rapidly now that I’ve been freed from the stone roadblock!
Much love to you and Pete!
Kath
Oh my gosh, it all sounds horrible Kathryn! I hope you are feeling better very soon ❤️ Xx
Believe me, my love, I am *well* aware of how much less horrible I’ve had it than most do, so my gratitude far outweighs the post-op doldrums and the, erm, processing required to continue getting all of the lasered remains out of my system! I do so appreciate all of the gracious and embracing support you and all of my family and friends have been giving me; I know that those have more palliative and healing effects than all of the surgery and meds in the world can do.
xoxo
I’m just relieved you are getting better. Hugs xx
Oh my! I hope you are feeling better. I’ve had those aliens inside of me and they are nasty buggers! Luckily, no revisits for years.
I wish you a fast recovery!
Love the close up xray. I think all body ailments look like this close up. 😉
You’re right, of course: an alien is an alien is an alien. Glad to be evicting this particular bugger. And I heartily wish you the gift of NEVER having another ET invasion again yourself!!!
xoxo
Oh, dear…..hope you are feeling better soon!
kram och krya på dig
/anna
Many thanks, my sweet! I am so glad to have been diagnosed and getting great treatment. Feeling quite a bit better already and, if things continue as they are going right now, I have a feeling I’ll be a whole new me by Monday! 🙂
❤
kram
Kathryn
Kathryn, hope you are better by now!
KRYA PÅ DIG!
kram
So much better, my sweet! Thank you. Now that I feel so well, I have the energy to look *forward* again, not least of all to our little November visit to Stockholm! 😀
kram!
let me know when you will be here!!!
Richard just bought our tickets last night and we spoke to our apartment “landlady” friend this afternoon to confirm that we can use her apartment while in town, so now we truly know it’s REAL! We’ll arrive 19 November (the RK anniversary program is on the 20th), and fly back to the US on 27 Nov. A short trip, but so much better than none! 😀 And our sweet home-sharing friend will actually be in town (living at her sambor’s place)—the first time in years that she will be in Stockholm at the same time we are, so we’re very excited to get to see that wonderful couple again. And many other friends at Radioen, and around town, of course!! I can’t wait.
kram!
Kathryn
Exciting!
kathryn, if there will be time for a fika or you need anything, please let me know!
kram
I would *love* if we can meet! Maybe we should visit that whisky-cellar you like in Gamlastan, or visit a favorite museum or shop, or…. One way or another! Can’t wait.
kram
Kathryn, do you have my email?
I *think* so! Just sent a note, so we’ll see. 😀
xo
kathryn, I will check and get back to you!
kram
Love the hospital selfie 🙂 Feel better soon and let’s hear it for no more visits to hospitals!
Somehow, I found it reassuring to recognize that I was still obviously the same doofus who went in…already improving, but yes, I will absolutely vote for this being a one-time adventure!! Thank you for the good wishes, my friend!
xoxo
A trip to the ER is never good. Last time I went they decided to remove my gallbladder. Here’s hoping your treatment isn’t as drastic.
The gallbladder thing might be a *real* trick for me—years ago, my doctor thought I might have gallstones, and sent me for ultrasound, but neither the doctors nor the technician could *find* a gallbladder in my entire torso, so I got sent home and just recovered eventually on my own. If I have one, I imagine it lodged somewhere near my ankle or behind my ear or something. ;
I’m so sorry you had to have that awful adventure yourself! I was able to escape the more invasive form of kidney stone removal. The urologist said this one was wider than the largest that will normally ‘pass’ spontaneously, and twice as long, so the two options were the sound wave blasting that I had yesterday, or a physical fishing expedition, and thankfully, since this stone was corked right up under my kidney, it was too far away from any exit to be safely snagged without any incision, so I got to have it bombarded to smithereens instead—probably the least painful way, if one has to choose. Lucky, I tell you! Hope you’re long since healed from your trauma!
xo
Glad they were able to blast it with cutting for it. Surgeons with knives are not fun.
My fun was years ago so I am fine now. Too much fat in a meal can still bother me from time to time, but over all – it’s mostly just a bad memory now.
Hope the stone is gone….
Sent from my iPad
>
I’m working on it! But now that it’s sand instead of a small boulder, so much less painful!!
xoxo
Kathryn, after reading your account of these recent travails, I can only hope all will be well for you soon! Hang in there, and I hope you are ‘de-stoned’ soon. Len
Actually, thanks to a really excellent anesthesiologist, getting ‘stoned’ was the highlight of the adventure! 😉 But I’m resting pretty comfortably today, having had the little nuisance demolished yesterday afternoon enough to ‘wash it out,’ and the worst of it by now is merely a constant sense of sloshing from having to drink quite so much fluid for the task! 🙂 Thank you for the good wishes, dear Len! Hope you’re well and having all of the *good* sorts of adventures these days!
❤
oh my goodness, I turn my back on my reader for a week or two and look what happens! Wishing you a speedy recovery, dearest Kathryn. Px
Thank you, my sweet! I’m on my way, I believe. Just had a follow-up call from the surgical clinic and I think the nurse was as surprised and pleased as I am at my progress. 😀 Much love!
Kath
Very glad to hear it! Stay well, and I look forward to more of your beautiful words. Px
Hi Kath, I’m glad to hear you are on the mend! And that really was a great selfie. I had the same procedure done once, so I know what you are going through. Best wishes and prayers for you, and hi to Richard!
Thank you so much, Ken! Hope your writing retreat is a real treat for you both! xo
I’m glad that alien didn’t abduct you any longer! 🙂
Thanks! Me, too!! Although I’m sure many who know me would argue that *I* am the alien on this planet in the equation…. 😉 So great to feel so healthy again!!
Thanks for coming by here. I’m really delighted to see your tutorial site. My teaching career, such as it was, began with tutoring and that remained my favorite mode of teaching, far above classroom settings. So much more opportunity to connect with the students *and* the subject of our studies!
Cheers,
Kathryn
That’s awesome thank you Kathryn. I’m glad to hear you had a journey in teaching. Hopefully the future for Air Tutors is long lived 🙂
I certainly hope so—I wish you, and all good and dedicated teachers, well! Our future depends on you. 🙂
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