It was a very interesting 4th of July. For the past three days I have been experiencing intense flank pain and other urinary symptoms. Thinking at first I may have a UTI I began an antibiotic. After two full days of the antibiotic, I was feeling worse. Unfortunately, what I was feeling was a very familiar pain. I had a very strong suspicion I was experiencing my second kidney stone in 4 years. Being that it was the fourth of July, I headed to an urgent care center with my mom. I waited over two hours to see the doctor. I was really hoping it would be worth the wait. Boy, was I disappointed. The doctor was terrible. My UA came back relatively normal except for a trace amount of blood. She was certain my pain and symptoms were due to a UTI, even though the UA didn't really back that up. She was trying to shuffle me out of the room as quick as possible, but I kept probing her about my flank pain and my past history of stones. She insisted that changing my antibiotic was the next logical step. My favorite part of the visit was the doctors rationale for why it was NOT a kidney stone 1. there was not enough blood present in my urine and the best one...2. I "didn't look like a person with a kidney stone, or a person passing a kidney stone!" Well, excuse me for not screaming in pain and rolling around on the floor like a crazy person. Mental note....next time I suspect a kidney stone, scream in pain and roll around on the floor like a crazy person.
I left the urgent care center less then thrilled with the care I received. As the afternoon progressed into evening I was feeling worse and worse and the pain was getting more intense. Around dinner time I began vomiting and knew there was something more going on then just an infection. My mom and dad took me to the ER while Brian stayed home with Lucas and his friend Jim who was here visiting.
I was promptly admitted into the ER and given pain medication. The ER doctor was great and immediately ordered a CT scan to look for a stone. It took awhile to get the results, as it was the fourth of July and all the crazies were coming into the ER. My nurse did come in at one point with more pain meds and let me know that I did in fact have a 3mm stone in my ureter (the tube leading from your kidney to your bladder.) I KNEW IT!!
So, Friday and Saturday were pretty miserable, but today I am feeling much better. I have not passed the stone yet, but I am pretty sure it is in my bladder because I have a significant reduction in pain.
And yes, I will be sending a strongly worded letter to the head of the urgent care center. I will never return to that place again, nor will I recommend it to anyone!
