Some context before this post: I have kidney issues. More than the average person. They started with an infection as a baby, and have continued into my young adult life. I contribute a lot of this to my own stupidity- drinking too much coke and not enough water. I wanted to detail my most recent kidney issues in this post, due to the fact that I’m currently experiencing a familiar pain in my side. I just popped a couple extra strength Tylenols and I’m ready to write.
Kidney Stone- January 1, 2019
New Year’s Day 2019. I wake up next to three of my friends in a bed after a night out- prepared to feel sick, but not in the way I sadly did. I uncharacteristically woke up at around 5am, and felt a sharp pain in my right side. Unable to bear the pain, I went straight to the bathroom, and essentially started crying. I have still never felt a worse pain in my entire life.
I must have woken up my friend Maggie, because she came in to check on me shortly after. I immediately told her something was wrong, and that I needed to go to the hospital. We drove back to my house to get my mom, who was less than thrilled knowing it was a kidney stone, as she has had one before as well. From there, we made the painstakingly slow drive to the hospital.
It took them at least an hour and a half to get me into a room from the waiting room. In the meantime, I was vomiting and crying from pain (as you can tell, I’m super tough and deal well with pain). My mom was telling me to not touch the toilet as I vomited, because it was “disgusting.” Once I finally got to a room, I went through many vomit bags and felt on the verge of death. If I were to have a form of fake identification, my mom almost gave this to the nurse asking for my ID until Maggie stopped her. It was a tough moment to watch.
After tests and IVS and painkillers, it was determined I would need to have surgery to remove the LARGE kidney stone that had formed and was now lodged in my urinary tract. Before undergoing this procedure, I became so drugged up I hardly knew what was happening. I came to with a stint in my urinary tract, alone in a hospital room, still attached to an IV pumping painkillers through my bloodstream.
It was the perfect way to start 2019. This still is the most painful thing I’ve experienced to this day, and I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy.
Kidney Stone 2- Spring Break 2019
My pain did not end with my first kidney stone. Just 3 short months later, I went back home for spring break. On the last day of my vacation, I felt that familiar pain in my side, and I knew exactly what I was in for.
My mom walked into my room to see me, again, writhing in pain, and we went immediately to the urologist. After some tests, the doctors concluded that it was a stone, however I was going to have to pass this one on my own. They gave me some painkillers, along with some extras to take to school in case of another stone, and sent me on my way. Luckily, it passed quickly, and kidney stone number two was in the bag.
Kidney Infection- March 2020
Just last month, that same pain revisited me at about 3am after a night out. This time, I was on my own. I spent my morning vomiting, and not from the night before. I knew it was something far, far worse- however I decided to deny this until about 4 in the afternoon. After attempting (and failing) to study, I ubered myself to a medical clinic. After reviewing my history and running some tests, the doctors “did not feel comfortable sending me home,” so I instead got a one way ticket to the hospital. I was sure kidney stone number 3 was on its way.
My friend Carley picked me up and drove me to the emergency room, which was particularly full that evening. Hours of waiting ensued, as well as many test and checks of my vitals. This included a mean nurse drawing my blood, during which I nearly passed out. After finally getting into a room and being put on painkillers and antibiotics, they concluded the supposed stone was instead a kidney infection. They sent me on my way with paperwork and antibiotics, and I slept in my own bed instead of the hospital.
I also almost lost my new wallet on the way out of the hospital. I almost cried.
Those are my most recent kidney experiences. I like to tell them to others in hopes they will feel sorry for me, so hopefully this post did just that. Pray I don’t have another one over quarantine!
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