Antlers and Thanksgiving

[perzephone]

Got the x-ray for my kidney stone yesterday. It's what is known as a 'staghorn' stone, meaning that it has formed in the shape of the renal passageways, so it resembles antlers. What it means, though, is that sucker is not coming out on its own. There's going to be some kind of surgery involved. I'm kind of disturbed by it, the thought that this prickly calcium beast is living in my kidney. I don't like all the various descriptions of stone removal techniques. Staghorns seem to be removed most through invasive methods, simply because if sonic lithotripsy is used, the fragments can spread infection. It seems odd to me that something so small can cause death so easily - mainly by contamination from infected tissue. There's some correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and stone formation, but some references say stones cause the deficiency, other references say that the deficiency increases the likelihood of stone formation because of mineral imbalances between Vitamin D, calcium & potassium. At least I haven't created any new ones between March & now. :P

Monday night, when I was ready to just commit seppuku, I decided to apply some friendly advice. I went outside with the dog, and it's my new habit to say thank you to the Great Mystery for the day and the night, not just when it rains, but every night. So, along with the thanksgiving, I actually asked for help. (Yeah, Hel probably froze over, pigs flew, some God popped out of an abandoned refrigerator & wreaked havoc on unsuspecting locals, you name it). I asked the Great Mystery if it could send me someone or something to help me with the pain.

When I went to bed with my heating pad & hot water bottle (and resorting to taking enough Phenergan to just knock my ass out), I sent a request out to the Unknown - just to please help ease the pain and comfort me, as I am orphaned and have no parents, and I am all alone.

Yesterday, it was weird. No more cramps. Nothing. Just a minor backache, which I always have. I was still bleeding like a stuck brontosaur (and still am - I know the saying is 'bleeding like a stuck pig', but a pig would have already bled to death by now), but it didn't hurt. My legs didn't feel like they were being torn off, I could stand up straight. Didn't even take any regular Tylenol. Last night I said thank you to the Great Mystery and to Whoever or Whatever helped me and gave me relief.

Today - I don't even have a freaking back ache. Well, I do, but it's that sort of relieved bruised feeling you get when a cramped muscle relaxes. For like, the first time in 15 years, my back feels fine. Of course, I'm stuck at work & can't do anything about not being in chronic achey back-pain. So I guess something out there does like me enough to offer a helping, healing hand, and it is greatly appreciated. I would kind of like to know Who, though, but much of the world runs on kindness from strangers.

I came home to a message that I've got another interview at the County Recorders Office, too :D

Comments

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I'm glad asking for help actually helped, you deserve it. *hugs* It doesn't always work for me, but the fact that sometimes it does is better than not at all, you know?

And oh. my. god. to the stag shaped kidney stone. There's no way they can dissolve it? :( I suppose not without damaging the other organs. Well I will definitely keep you in my thoughts with that, it sounds epically unpleasant. What do they suggest you do with the pain / bleeding in the meantime?

Stones and Moons

[perzephone.livejournal.com]

I'm glad asking for help actually helped, you deserve it. *hugs* It doesn't always work for me, but the fact that sometimes it does is better than not at all, you know?

Hey, the fact that it worked, and miraculously, this time may just encourage me to seek help the next time.

And oh. my. god. to the stag shaped kidney stone. There's no way they can dissolve it? :( I suppose not without damaging the other organs. Well I will definitely keep you in my thoughts with that, it sounds epically unpleasant.

The stone is at least stable - I can't tell if I've got lower back pain from the scoliosis or if it's a protesting kidney. I go see my urologist mid-August. She's booked solid, I've been trying to get in sooner, but it's been a no-go. Now there's more urgency to it, though. I made a big mistake by thinking to myself, "Wtf is a 'staghorn' calculi?" I thought maybe it meant it was spiky or something... I didn't realize it meant it was filling up the passages of my kidney - and growing. And because I am a masochist, I kept looking at the google images & seeing instances where people's entire kidneys were one big staghorn calculi. Aaaaaaggghhhhh!!!! So now I'm all, "Get it out! Get it out NOWWWW!!"

What do they suggest you do with the pain / bleeding in the meantime?

I wish the pain & blood was kidney-related, then I could justifiably check into an ER & get emergency surgery... No, I've been on the rag since the end of June, & the pain started on Friday & just continued... I go to the gyno on the 4th. I tell ya tho, I cried yesterday morning when I woke up & the pain was gone.

[spyral-weaver73.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Im not sure what else to say..gyno stuff is my bane atm as well...

Ragtime

[perzephone.livejournal.com]

I'm about ready to apply for a sex change. Seriously. This shit is ridiculous.