This Tuesday, I completed my seven weeks of radiation.
I have tolerated radiation fairly well. Side effects have been limited to fatigue and minor digestive track issues.
Radiation itself is a painless. You just lay on a table and get zapped with targeted x-rays. I came to very much enjoy my trips to the clinic: they were my daily escape from the Covid-19 quarantine. The doctors, nurses and technicians at the clinic have been my community for almost 2 months. And they were amazing. I will miss them!
Now, you all know that I always like to add a bit of fun to the fun I’m already having. So, last week I treated myself to another kidney stone. This one took over 3 days to pass.
Kidney stones are infamously painful. The pain, known as renal colic, is often described as one of the strongest pain sensations known. It’s razor sharp. It typically comes in waves lasting 20 to 60 minutes caused by peristaltic contractions of the ureter as it attempts to push the stone down from the kidney to the bladder. The pain resides mostly in the lower back, flank and abdomen. In my case it is accompanied by blurred vision, sweating, nausea, vomiting and retching. Most stones I’ve had have lasted 12 to 18 hours. This last one elected to overstay its welcome by several days. Kidney stones hurt until they finally reach the bladder, at which point the fog of pain clears immediately and you’re like, WTF was that! The subsequent exiting of the stone to the outside world is a non-event.
Painkillers do help take the edge off the pain, providing one can keep them down. But if you can’t keep them down without vomiting it right away, they’re pretty useless. Last year, I had to check myself into the ER so I’d get painkillers via IV.
Now I have a 4-week stretch of time with no doctor’s appointment, no hospital visits, no white, blue or green coats. My next appointment is on May 19 for my 3rd check-up. Fingers crossed. And toes. And eyes.
I hope you’re all doing as well as possible out there. I wish you courage.
Love.
Rings Of Water 