...and the doctor was correct.

So a month or so ago I blogged about my kidney and my trip to the urologist where they told me my painful kidney (which is still painful by the way) was fine, but the other one had a small stone in it. Well...he was right. At about 3:00 this morning I had the eyes-flying-open feeling when it hit. I immediately called Carli (who was still up working...THANKS SIS!) to come and take me to the ER. After 5 kidney stones you know what to expect. So I went to the kitchen and took a Lortab, full well knowing that the throwing up would hit any second and there was no chance that medicine was staying in my stomach, but one can always hope (even though past experience guarantees it won't!) Just like clockwork about 10 minutes later the severe vomiting hits, but I was prepared with bucket in hand when it did. The pain peaked about 20 minutes after it started. By the time we reached the freeway exit to the hospital the pain had nearly stopped. So...I do the arguing in my head. "Is it just gone for a second?" "Do I still go into the ER? All they are going to do is give me pain medicine that knocks me out." Oh how I hate decisions. So amazingly by 3:30 a.m. we are sitting in the parking lot of the ER. We stayed about 5 minutes and the pain was still gone. For those who don't know, a kidney stone only hurts as it starts to pass from the kidney to the bladder. The pain comes from the jagged, prickly edges of it tearing at the ureter tube as it is passing. So once it is passed (or just stopped moving) the pain will go away. My 5 previous experiences it has lasted anywhere from 2-8 hours or so. So 30 minutes is totally unheard of in my case, however he did say it was a small stone. So Carli and I went to our parents' house for a minute just to be sure (since I live 30 minutes or so from the hospital). By 4:00 I was certain that I would be okay to go home, so here I sit at 4:45 a.m. thinking that hopefully it is over. It couldn't have come at a better time, as my kids aren't home tonight so I didn't have to worry about them and this at the same time. If you are looking for the silver lining in this painful experience, it definitely was good timing.

I feel so incredibly blessed at this time. I got my bill for the previous doctor's visit/CT scan last week (that I thought would surely exceed my $1500 deductible) and it was only half of what I thought it would be. Then as soon as this stone hit, all I could think about what the money it was going to cost to go the ER and then somehow...the pain stops 2 minutes short of walking through the doors to the hospital. I can't be certain that it is gone, but I definitely feel like things are working out in my favor with this little adventure. Somebody must really be watching over me...