Nothin' But Hodge Podge!

This is one of those posts where a little bit of everything is tossed all together...hodge podge, if you will.

Let's see...Brittany's cross country meet didn't turn out as well as she'd hoped on Saturday. She ran in the fastest heat, so it was only her and the top runner on the boys' team competing against some of the fastest runners in the county. The boys and girls ran together, which never happens. Anyway, Brittany bolted out of there like an Olympic sprinter...full speed ahead! She was in the top 10 for the first 200 yards or so. She was trying hard to keep pace with all the boys. I told Chris as soon as she took off that she went out way too fast...and she did. She ran out of juice about halfway through the two-mile race, finishing in 12:59. She came across the finish line and said her legs were completely DEAD and her breathing was off. She finished 3rd on her team. The good part about it is that this was just the first race of the season and it doesn't count towards determining team ranking, since it was only a 2-mile race, as opposed to the usual 3-miler. The official season kicks off this Saturday when she competes in the largest high school cross country meet in Georgia. Hopefully, she'll knock 'em dead...in a good way, of course!

My nose is STILL congested so much that I can hardly breath! It's so aggravating! I'm to the point of calling my doc today to see if he can call in some medicine for me without having to see me in his office. Maybe if I beg, plead, and borrow...he'll agree!

I woke up this morning to feel a "twinge" in my lower left side on my back...right where my kidney is located! Could this be the beginning of my kidney stones exit? Part of me hopes it is...then, part of me is praying that it isn't! Chris is out of town until Thursday and that makes me very nervous. Oh, and get this...my urologist gave me some medicine to open up the ureter to make for easier passage of my stones, right? Well, don't ask me why, but last night, I decided to take out the enclosed pamphlet and read about the medication...even though I've been taking it for the last 8 DAYS! It's called Uroxatral and, apparently, it's a medicine designed for ADULT MEN who suffer from prostatic hyperplasia! WHAT??? I don't have a prostate! Oh, and the real kicker is that it clearly states that if you are a woman...you SHOULD NOT take it! Say, HUH??? I definitely think I need to call my urologist about this ASAP. If I start sprouting chest hair, we're going to have a BIG problem! :)

P.S. My sweet friend, Sandy, from The Adams Family...you are the winner of my follower's giveaway for the month of July! I'll be contacting you soon...CONGRATULATIONS!

Just A Little Clarification and Follow-Up

I want to thank all of you so much for your thoughts and prayers in regards to my kidney stones. As of right now, everything is status quo...no changes and, thankfully, no pain! I must admit that waiting around for "something" to happen is quite stressful, but I'm hanging in there!

You know how I mentioned that my urologist requested that I give his office a call on Monday to let him know how I'm doing? Well, would you believe that he called me late Monday afternoon just to check in on me? I was completely blown away! I told him that I'm feeling fine and haven't had any pain. He asked me to call him, again, sometime on Friday and give him another update. I think I like him even more now!

I read over all the comments I got after I posted about my doctor's visit last Friday. First of all, YES, I am, in fact, only 4'11" tall. My dad was probably about 5'4" and my mom was around 5'5". As they say, "You can't make Great Danes from dachshunds"! I may have mentioned this before, but when I was a room mom for Abby's class one year, I'd often go in and read a story to the class. Well, one particular day as I was reading, a little girl raised her hand high. I asked if she had a question and she replied, "Umm...are you a midget?" I about fell off my seat I was laughing so hard! No, I'm not a midget, I'm just plain ol' short! :) Don't know if any of your remember this song, but it used to get my goat! I promise, no men in kilts this time!



I did have a few other comments/questions I thought I'd address, as well. Yes, there is a procedure you can have that breaks up the kidney stones into smaller pieces via ultrasonic waves, making them easier to pass. Well, my understanding is that the stones have to be a certain size before you can have it done. I want to say above 5mm, but I could be wrong. Initially, mine were determined to be up to 7mm, but the urologist seems to think that's because two stones are on top of each other and they appeared larger...let's hope so, anyway! My doctor didn't mention anything about my being a candidate for that procedure right now. No sirree...he wants me to do it the old-fashioned way!

One of you suggested that I drink cranberry juice. My doc said that is a big no-no,which came as a surprise to me. I've read before that cranberry juice is good for kidney stones, but my doc said it actually CAUSES them! He said the best thing to drink is water and/or lemonade. So, I've been gulping water down so much I think I just might float away...or pee a river! Sorry, folks, but it's the honest to goodness truth!

So, for the time-being, all is well. Should anything change...well, let's just say you'll probably hear me screaming all the way from Georgia! :)

Not What I Was Hoping To Hear...

Yesterday was such a fiasco! As you know, I had an appointment with a urologist...2:30 PM to be exact. Well, I felt I knew where I was going, so I left the house around 1:20 PM in order to allow myself enough time to get the abdominal x-ray done before my appointment. So, I'm motoring on down the highway when my GPS tells me to turn on a road that I think is incorrect. I thought I was supposed to keep heading in the same direction for another 5 miles or so. I began to second-guess my knowledge of where the doctor's office was, so I listened to my GPS. It directed me to make a U-turn and, basically, head right back to where I started! Do you know that I drove around in one big circle for 50 mins? That is no exaggeration, either! My GPS completely lost it's mind! By the time I arrived at the office where I was to get the x-ray done, I was sweating bullets!

I walked into the building and rode the elevator to 2 different floors before I finally found the x-ray department. I had to fill out the biggest amount of paperwork I've ever seen for one measly x-ray. I was called back for the x-ray with only about 5 mins. to spare before my doctor's appointment! I hopped up on the table and it was done in a flash. The x-ray technician said, "Mind if I ask how tall you are?" I replied, "Well, on a good day, I'm 4'11"." She said it was the first time she was able to get an abdominal x-ray on someone without having to take several different shots...whatever that meant! I grabbed my x-ray and sprinted out the door like OJ Simpson used to do in those commercials.

My doctor's office was right next door...thankfully! I walked in one minute late...and nearly out of breath! The nurse called me back and I was sitting there for only a few minutes before the doctor walked in. I have to admit that I fell in love with him, immediately. No, he's not a Tim McGraw look alike, unfortunately, but he's like a sweet grandfather. He was so easy to talk to! I felt completely at ease from the get-go. He asked me what I'd been experiencing and I told him I'd been feeling fine since that incident on the 8th. He told me that there was blood in my urine sample, which is sign that something is going on. He grabbed my x-ray films and took me out in he hallway with him for a look. He explained everything we were seeing in plain English. He pointed out several stones in my left and right kidneys. He said that two stones on my left side were already out of the kidney. I was just about to shout, "YAHOO!", but then he informed me that they're about to make their decent. What??? Apparently, the two stones are lodged in the narrow opening at the top of the ureter. So, he's put me on some medication to open the tube up so that the stones can pass more easily...if there is such a thing! I asked how long this process would take and he predicted anywhere from 2-3 weeks. I was hoping for YEARS! He cautioned me that it will be the worst pain I will ever experience...lovely, doc...just LOVELY!

He gave me some pain medication to take as soon as the pain hits me. He said if I get to a point where the pain medication doesn't seem to be doing it's thing, I need to get to the emergency room as quickly as possible. He wants me to give him a call on Monday to let him know how I'm doing. Wait a minute...is this going to happen sooner than he thinks? I'm trying to prepare myself for what I'm about to face, but I don't know if that's possible. I think when the pain hits, I'm going to give him a call and demand an epidural! That was a lifesaver for me when I gave birth to my girls! Well, sounds like giving birth to kidney stones is no walk in the park, either! I can do this...I know I can! Do I really have a choice? Like the doc said, the stones can't go back up...they can only go DOWN! Hmm...wonder if standing on my head would do the trick?

Off To See The Doc...

Yes, later on today, I'll be heading back to a urologist. If you recall, I wasn't too happy with the last one I saw, so I decided to find a new one. There was no way I was going to feel comfortable going back to that doctor considering how uneasy he made me feel. The doctor I'm seeing today has requested that I have an abdominal x-ray right before I go in for my appointment so that he'll have a baseline to compare with my CT scans. I've already decided that if he mentions doing a pelvic exam...I outta there! What's strange is that I haven't had the slightest discomfort since that episode on the 8th...NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH! I'm beginning to wonder if I might have passed a stone...or is it lying in wait to strike, again? Boy, I really hope not!

I will be sure to give you an update once I find out what's going on. Hope all of you have a great weekend...YAHOO, IT'S FRIDAY!

Please...Someone Tell Me This Is Standard Procedure!

I just got home from my first visit with a urologist. I told him what I had been experiencing and that ever since my "episode" on Saturday afternoon, I've felt fine. He took some notes and asked a few questions and did a quick listen to my heart and lungs. Then, out of the blue, he said that he needed to do a pelvic exam on me! My chin must have dropped to the floor! I told him that I'd had a Pap smear/exam about 6 months ago, but he said he needed to check for any growths. He tossed me a paper cloth to drape over myself and left the room. I sat there sweating bullets, almost convincing myself to walk right out that door! I'll spare you the details, but the exam went quickly (with a nurse present, thank goodness!) and he said I might have a fibroid tumor, which I've had before. No biggy. It just caught me completely off-guard that a urologist would do a pelvic exam! Has anyone ever encountered that before? Isn't that for the OB/GYN or a family physician to take care of? I have to admit that it made me extremely uncomfortable, but I wasn't sure if it's standard procedure or not. Is it?

He has ordered me to have another CT scan on Tues. of next week, which I'm not real happy about. I had the last one in Nov. of 2008 and I just don't like getting them with the radiation that's involved. He said he felt it was necessary. Then, I'm supposed to go back in to see him on Thursday. I am at a loss as for what I should do. Should I make an appointment with another urologist for a second opinion before proceeding since I'm not currently having any pain? I really could use your advice! Thanks a bunch!

I'm Still Kickin'!

Good morning! First of all, I want to thank all of you so much for the prayers you sent up on my behalf regarding the back pain I've been experiencing. You can't imagine how much that means to me. I did fine all weekend long, with the exception of one "episode" I had on Saturday afternoon. I was lying down on the floor on my right side watching TV with Brittany when, out of nowhere, it hit me like a ton of bricks! It was, without a doubt, the worst pain I've experienced yet. I somehow managed to get myself up and on my feet, but I couldn't stand up straight because the pain was intense. It lasted for a good 5 mins., then it went away and I haven't had one problem since. I'm anxious to see the urologist on Wednesday and hear what he has to say. I'll be sure to update when I know something myself.

Well, Brittany had her time trials on Saturday. She was pretty nervous about it. There were about 35 girls running, so it was a decent turnout. I am thrilled to report that she finished in FIRST PLACE...WOO HOO! The #2 girl was her best friend, Alicia, who was about 25 secs. behind her. From what I saw, I think the girls' and boys' team have an excellent chance of placing in the top 10 at STATE in November, if everything continues to go well. How exciting that would be!

Here they are at the start of the time trials...
Brittany coming in to the final stretch...
Following the time trials, the boys' coach had a party for all the seniors and their families. We had so much fun!

Brittany and Alicia...joined at the hip!
Getting in a game of volleyball.
Brittany and her good friend, Jonathon, battling it out in Wii boxing. Brittany got KNOCKED OUT! He had no mercy on her!
The girls started back to school today...it sure it quite around here. I miss them! I'll post about how everything went tomorrow. Have a good one!

Like An Ostrich In The Sand...

Yes, just like an ostrich, my head is buried about as deep in the sand as it will go. You see, for the past several days, I've been experiencing some pain and discomfort in my lower back on the left side. Thankfully, it's still tolerable, at this point. Now, why does that make me want to stick my head in the sand and live in denial? Well, about 7 or 8 months ago, I was diagnosed with bilateral kidney stones. I know, lucky me, right? I have several in my left kidney; the largest measuring up to 7mm, and several in my right kidney, as well. My doctor informed me that stones can be passed "naturally" if they are under 5mm, but anything above that might warrant some intervention. I keep wondering if this pain I've been having is related to my kidney stones...and, oh, how I pray it isn't!

I've witnessed Chris go through a couple of bouts of kidney stones and it WAS NOT pretty! Mind you, he's a former Army Airborne Ranger...HOOAH, HOOAH! Tough as nails, that man of mine! However, when his kidney stones episode hit, he was reduced to curling up in a fetal position on our bedroom floor. That is not an overstatement! He was writhing in agony and there was nothing I could do, except get him to the hospital where we sat for 6 hours before they told him, "Sir, you have kidney stones." DUH! All they could do for him at that point was give him some pain medication and a urine collection cup to take home. Thankfully, he passed the stone the next day...and it was a teeny tiny little thing. Less than 3 mm! So, I'm thinking..."Oh, my goodness, mine is over half the size of his!" I am in BIG TROUBLE!

I have an appointment with a urologist next week to determine what's going on. In the meanwhile, please say a prayer for me that my stones hold steady and don't move up, down, or sideways! I plan to walk around with a little less jump in my step. Well...back to the sand I go!

P.S. Say a prayer for Brittany, too, if you would! She has time trials for cross country in the morning. It's always a nerve-racking time! THANK YOU! ♥