He shook me awake, gently, at 1:15 this morning, pulled me into his arms, kissed my ear lobe and whispered, “It’s over”.
We held hands as we sat by lamp light staring at the grape-seed sized stone in the lab bottle, baffled how something so tiny had controlled our lives. How the pain came in devastating waves, without mercy sometimes lasting more than an hour, piercing through the abdomen to his back. Each attack left him weakened, sweating, chilled and pale; a triple Type A, bedridden. We could have traced in ink the pain-filled route it took from his left kidney to the exit point, and after kicking the crap out of him for three days and nights, the phantom stone left without ceremony or pain.
One of the most painful urologic disorders, kidney stones send more than half a million people to emergency rooms every year. Stones occur more often in men as they enter their 40s through to their 70s, and when a person gets more than one, others usually develop. Beyond kidney disease, some other causes of kidney stones are ” … gout; excess intake of vitamin D; urinary tract infections; and blockage of the urinary tract … water pills, and calcium-based antacids …”.
The easiest lifestyle change in preventing kidney stones: drink more water, and if you’re prone to them or have a family history of kidney stones, drink enough water to produce at least 2 quarts of urine every 24 hours.
5 comments
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1 September 2011 at 6:36 am
the island traveler
I work in the Emergency Room and I can totally relate to how pain and debilitation it is. I’m glad that he passed it out. I have friends who had it and they say its like having labor pains. I see patient’s get diaphoretic , clammy and looks like they are going to pass out. I pray that I won’t get one but all of us are possible victims to the wrath of the kidney stone. Thanks for sharing , for the visits. You’re a talented , kind person with so much to give. I hope to discover more of your posts. Stay blessed and inspired always.
1 September 2011 at 6:37 am
the island traveler
Sorry, I was meant to write. ” painful and debilitating.” My computer is a bit ancient.
1 September 2011 at 8:29 am
Cheryl
The experience of ‘trying’ to help my guy through three days of agony gave me incredible insight into what it feels like to stand by helplessly while a loved one suffers … I hope it never happens again, Mr. B, and I hope it NEVER happens to you.
11 August 2011 at 10:07 am
lyndajeffersphotography
Brilliant writing, the first sentence drew me in. I am so pleased it is over!
11 August 2011 at 10:14 am
Cheryl
Me too, Lynda. He went through the agony, but I’m exhausted.