The Pain! Oh the Pain!

It started out like any other day.  Well, any other day that I am traveling for work in Washington state or Nevada.  On this particular day, I flew from Seattle, WA to Fallon, NV.  The day began bright and early at 5am and I hit the bed in Fallon at 10:30pm - a typical travel day for me.  I was in the middle of a 5 day work trip, trying to pace myself and missing my hubby terribly.  I had already endured the scariest plane ride of my life. I flew in a little commuter plane from Yakima to Seattle, WA with a snow storm chasing me the entire way.  I had never experienced such turbulence.  SCARY!  But I made it and had only two more plane rides that week.  I figured, if that plane ride is the worst I have to experience, I'll be fine.

Well,  I had no idea what was coming my way. 

As I said, I hit the bed on Tuesday at 10:30p and was looking forward to a very restful sleep.  Then 2 hours later I woke up with the worst pain I have ever felt.  The pain was in my right side and I immediately began getting sick - the cool little commode was my best friend.  I could not stop getting sick and the pain would not stop.  This continued for an hour.  When there was nothing left in my stomach, I finally was given a reprieve.  I immediately called Cece, my nurse traveling with me who also just happens to be an emergency room (ER) nurse.  It's moments like this you know there is a God.  She rushed down to my room and immediately knew what was going on - Kidney Stones!

I'd always heard people say it's a pain worse than child birth, but I always thought they were just making more of it than it really is.  They were so right!  It's the worse. 

I was terrified because I had no idea what was going on.  But Cece saved the day.  She threw me in the rental car and rushed me to the ED we were in town to visit.  They pumped me full of pain meds within 5 minutes of my arrival and I could finally begin to relax.  After about 4 hours, I was stable enough to discharge.  I was so full of pain and anti nausea medication, I could barely hold up my head.  But I slept all day and I needed it.  Because the next day, Thursday, I had to get on a plane back home.

Keep in mind I still had not passed the stone and was still experiencing nausea.  Now talk about a nightmare!  I was so scared I would get sick on the plane.  But I had to get home to my sweet worried hubby.  Cece pumped me full of drugs, so I was pretty groggy through most of the experience.  I was given first class service - I was escorted through both airports in a wheelchair and it was heaven.  I have to say that the Reno and Houston George Bush Airport personnel are so caring.  I was never made to feel like a burden.  But, just my luck, I had another very turbulent plane ride home.  Apparently, the snow storm I had barley missed earlier in the week was again, hot on my trail.  But we just experienced some turbulence and did not get stranded. 

We finally landed Thursday around 7p and I have never been so happy to be home.  I saw my sweet man and finally felt peace.  He has taken such awesome care of me.  I already know I have an incredible husband, but it's always so wonderful when I'm sick and he becomes the great caretaker that he is.  He's cooked all my meals, made special trips to the store for cravings (Hostess Chocolate Cupcakes), waited on me hand and foot.  He's takes that in sickness and in health vow seriously.

It's Monday and I am still home on the mend.  I go to the doctor tomorrow and hopefully this whole ordeal can be put to bed and I can get back to life. 

Well, that's my harrowing story.  I know many people have been through much worse, but to be over 1,000 miles from home and to be so sick, for me is just about the worst thing that has happened to me so far.  I am so grateful for the people who put themselves before me and took such great care of me:  Cece, Cindy and Traci (the other two nurses traveling with us), the ED nurse and doctor, the flight attendants and personnel who helped get me home.  And of course, D.  God shows himself so clearly through these circumstances and he showed up time and time again.