Good morning!
Gosh, it feels good to say that. I am so happy to be back in the hot seat with my friends Jonathan and Julie this morning. What a week and a half it’s been! I haven’t been on vacation. Instead, I’ve been dealing with some of the worst pain of my entire life!
Warning: This post could get a little “TMI” (too much information). Turn back if you’re squeamish because I don’t get embarrassed too easily.
It all started two weeks ago today when I started to have pains in my lower abdomen. Initially, I thought it was food poisoning. I got into my family doctor and she ordered quite a few tests. After a weekend trying to get my pain under control at Trinity-Rock Island, it was onto the Spring Park Surgery Center in Davenport for some tests on my kidney on Monday the 7th. I found out that kidney problems can get bad quick! So that day, they put a stent into my left kidney ureter so the tube could be stretched wide enough for doctors to have a look inside. The problem was, I had a week in between the first procedure and the surgery. And in that time, I had to deal with the pain of the kidney being backed-up, but also life with a catheter. And that’s no gouda. 😦
Worst part of it was I wanted to feel better, but couldn’t. I can totally see how folks dealing with a long-term disease or disability have a hard time keeping spirits up. I also have a new respect for everybody who has to deal with pain on a daily basis.
The day before yesterday, I had surgery. The doctors went into the tube, removed a kidney stone, removed the stent, and took out the catheter. I woke up to a sigh of relief that my woes were over. And in just a day of recuperation I could continue my daily life.
And that brings me to today. I have a few aches here and there, but no where near the point that I would complain. My prognosis looks good. I still have follow-ups coming in the next few months. And another operation is even likely this Winter due to a stricture that they found. But even that is no reason to complain. This week and a half has been miserable, but so many people have it much worse-off.
Thanks for letting me share my story. But most of all, thanks for the well-wishes, phone calls, emails, texts, tweets, and messages. There’s no doubt in my mind that all of that helped me get back to work this morning…right where I want to be.
-Eric
