Rolling Like a Kidney Stone

It's Wednesday morning and I'm at work. About thirty minutes ago my perfectly healthy looking husband dropped me off. My phone flashes at me as I get a text.

Jeremy: I think I need to go to the ER. What hospital do I go to?

I know this might sound like a strange question to ask, but we just switched insurance this year and this is the first time we've had to use the ER. I try not to panic, but I'm envisioning that he has chopped off a finger making himself breakfast..or something just as gruesome.

Me: What? Whats wrong? Go to community.

Jeremy: Ok.

Ok? OK?! That's all I get. He is telling me that he needs to go to the ER and then just brushes off my question of what's happening? I don't even think so. I call him.

Jeremy: *sounding like he has been punched in the stomach* Hello.

Me: What is going on?

Jeremy: I don't know. I got this sharp pain in my back and it hasn't gone away.

Me: Do I need to drive you? Are you ok?

Jeremy: I'm already on my way but I can stop and pick you up.

Me: No, no. Just go. But call me when you can to let me know whats going on.

It was 7:47.

I text him at 8:00. No response.

I text him again at 9:00. No response.

By this time, my mind has gone to some pretty scary places. I can't help it. So, I call the hospital and get transferred to the ER. He had just been sent to get a CT scan. I ask the guy, 'Can you tell me if he is ok? I'm trying not to panic here' and he tells me that Jeremy is stable. Well, that's something at least.

Finally, at 9:51, I hear from Jeremy. Within that three hour window I couldn't see straight. And I had screwed up orders, and spreadsheets, and stupid conference calls..basically everything that I don't have to deal with on a normal basis was falling in my lap. But all that was going through my head was 'To go or not to go'.

11:00 rolled around and they still hadn't sent Jeremy home. He was still in the ER, hooked up to an IV. At this point I decide that I am just going to go to the hospital. I know if I was in the ER, hooked up to an IV, I'd want him to be there with me. The only problem is I don't have any time to take off work. So, I have to go through the whole hoop jumping of checking with a supervisor who has to check with the HR director to make sure that I can leave work. I get the OK, as long as I bring back something to prove I'm not lying, and I head out. Oh wait, there is another problem. We only have one car and it's already at the hospital. Luckily, my Mom wasn't working that day and was able to give me a ride. Momma saves the day.

I was finally able to lay eyes and hands on my husband by noon. It just made me feel so much better to be able to look at him and make sure he was ok. Nothing too eventful happened after that, but I know Jeremy was glad that I came to be with him. They were giving him pain meds to handle the stabbing, cramping back pains so he was at least comfortable. The ER doctor finally came to tell Jeremy that after reviewing the blood work and urine tests and CT scans he could say that it was in fact a kidney stone. They set us up with three prescriptions and a plastic bottle to catch Jeremy's pee..you know, in case he passed the stone, and then a strainer to catch the stone. Jeremy was thrilled with the idea of collecting his pee, let me tell you.

By 1:00 we were home. I told Jeremy to take his shoes off, go lay down, and call your mother before I walked right back out the door to go to the pharmacy. The three prescriptions cost us $60.00 (and I didn't even mention the co-pay for the ER visit). Jeremy had one more episode of stabbing pain. All I can compare it to is a woman having a contraction. He sort of froze in place and started breathing deeply in and out. All I could do was rub his leg or hold his hand. I asked him if the pain was as bad as this morning and he said no, the pain he had in the morning dropped him to his knees. He took some of his pain meds and soon the pain went away.

At around 9:30 that night Jeremy passed the kidney stone. It's now in a nice little sample cup on our bathroom counter. Jeremy says he can't believe something so small could cause so much pain. But, I'm looking at it and thinking no wonder it hurt so bad. Either way, as soon as he passed it he felt 100 times better and he hasn't had any pain since. Do y'all know what that means? It means I have three nearly full prescription bottles sitting on my microwave that cost me $60.00! Dang it!

But at least the pain has stopped and Jeremy is feeling better. Now to find out how we might avoid this in the future, because I don't think I can handle another day like this.

Set the night on fire

Window Shopping

I went window shopping Friday night. I really just needed to get out of the house for a little bit. No better way than to go and browse. I wasn't intending to buy anything..this was a no-buying trip, but as I was walking out the door my husband told me I could spend a little something if I found anything I wanted. Ah, how nice.

I went to the mall first and walked all over, but my main goal was to look at cocktail dresses. I'm thinking about New Year's Eve. And because of my success in the weight loss department I thought I might treat myself to a really smokin' cocktail dress. I thought I would check Dillards first. Dillards is really not a place I have ever shopped at. It has always either been out of my price range or out of my size range. But since I'm rewarding myself here, I thought I'd go take a look. I have to say I was very disappointed in their selection. Nothing even caught my eye enough to check the price tag. And something else that sort of confused me...it was very LOUD in Dillards. Every where I went there were this little TV's playing music videos...but all different in genre. So, it was like being bombarded with noise, and flashing tv screens, and PERFUME. Also, there were people everywhere..just hanging out..in Dillards. Very strange.

I left there and went to JC Pennys. I did find two dresses to try on there, very cute with some alterations (which, I've come to realize, might just be my new fashion reality). I put them back since I'm not ready to buy anything yet, but it was nice to know there is something out there..even if its not at Dillards. I also went to Old Navy. Tried on a few things from the sales rack. Nothing really caught my eye, but nearly everything I took in the dressing room was too big. Nice, but frustrating since I don't really know what size I am right now.

I ended my evening at Ross. I spent most of my time in the shoe department. To say this store isn't set up for browsing is an understatement..especially in the shoe department. There are shoes all over the floor. There are size 10's in the 6 1/2 section. They DO have benches at the end of the aisles to sit and try things on..but most of them are covered in shoes. Or if you find one to sit on, just hope that no one needs to get past you with a cart to look at the comforter sets that are right in front of you. I had to stand up..with my purse in one hand, my shoe and sock in the other, teetering on one high heel shoe that was too small for me..while this woman passed by me with her cart to look at the comforter sets...TWICE! Geez! I left there without getting anything either.

My husband was SHOCKED that I didn't find anything I liked enough to bring home.

All Together

An entry over atShutter Sisters asked about our thoughts, our words, our mantras. My mind automatically went to this framed piece of stitching we recently bought on a trip out of town. It sort of sums up our life together.

I need an intervention!

Miz Mooz 'Soho' Mary Jane Pump
Jessica Simpson 'Jeanetta' Low Wedge Pump
Söfft 'Carma' Mary Jane Pump
MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Camden' Sandal

Ha ha..love it.

Today is the day that I will lose my husband

I have fought the good fight. I have hung on for nearly 10 years. My foes?

Heavy metal and video games.

So far I have been able to conquer both, but separately. I have been able to keep the take-over at bay. Because if it went unchecked, a take-over would be inevitable. But, I fear that I have lost this battle. My enemies have created a new weapon, something that I have no chance against.

Brutal Legend is available today.

*tear* I'm wearing black to commemorate this day. The day I lost my husband to heavy metal and video games.

So Busted!

Yesterday we went out to the In-laws for dinner. We were celebrating Grandpa Dave's birthday and that meant homemade chicken fried steak with white grave and mashed potatoes. I know. I think I just had a mild heart attack.

Anyway, Mom and Grandma brought out the steaks to flatten and then flour. They made a lot, but that isn't unusual. They always seem to cook as if they are feeding an army. Grandma gets out one of her brand new square skillet and begins to pound the meat into submission. My husband and I are hanging out in the kitchen also. And as my mother-in-law and her mother discuss how hard it is to beat meat I cannot, CANNOT, help but slide my gaze over to my husband. He and I have been together long enough that I don't even need to say anything. He automatically starts shaking his head because he hates (i.e. loves) that his wife has such a dirty mind. We start to snicker quietly and then his Grandma says 'I know what yous twos (she's a yank) are thinking over there!'

My husband throws me under the bus straight away saying that it was all me. And I try to recover and act all indignant that he would blame it on me when it was all him. Ok, so I was lying but it was all in fun. Jeremy was laughing, I was laughing, Jeremy's Grandma was laughing at me because I was blushing.

Later my MIL made a comment, in full on suggestive mode, that she wasn't as good as her mom at beating meat. And Grandma, without missing a beat, says 'Well, I've had more practice'.

My Wishlist, currently

Belted Cowl Neck Sweater Dress in Italian Plum
Two-tone Truffle Slouch Boots in Cognac
The Diva Skinny Jeans in Rinse
Merona Cotton Chelsea Peacoat in.... This coat comes in a lot of different colors, so I'm torn. I like the black, or brown, or green.

Black and White

One of my new tops I picked up at Forever 21.

I LOVE these shoes. I got them at Payless. They are very comfortable and will transition nicely as the weather gets cold.

A pretty flower ring. Simple, but goes with everything.

Going Pink

It's October. And that means it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lots of bloggers are going pink to bring awareness to the cause. I feel that most anything that has to do with your health is important. Cancer, of any kind, has touched nearly everyone is some way. But, I also don't like to dwell on the negative. So I won't be talking about this all month. Just today, just right now.

In my new Instyle magazine, they have a two page spread of products (a lot of them being..you guessed it..PINK) in which the proceeds, all or some, are going towards the fight against breast cancer. I think they are worth passing on to you.

I'll share some of my favorites:

~ Pink Flower Nesting Bowls. Ten percent of sales benefits the Continuum Cancer Centers of New York.

~ ELF's Think Pink products. 100% of the proceeds from the nail polish supports the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. And 50% of the proceeds from the Mini makeup collection.

~ Sophia Bush Breast Cancer Awareness shirt. It has a superwoman on it and a speech bubble that says NOT TODAY! Love it. And it's on sale for $18.00. 50% of the proceeds from this tee will benefit Breast Cancer Network of Strength.

There are so many ways to get involved, to make a difference (even a small one). But the biggest one is to keep an eye on your boobies. It's that simple, and yet that important.

Weekly Winners ~ San Antonio Botanical Gardens

Check out other weekly winners at Sarcastic Mom.

The Thread that Binds

I didn't listen to Metallica when I started dating Jeremy. I thought all I knew about them was that they were heavy metal. But during one of my very first visits to Jeremy's room, covered in old school Metallica posters, I pointed at the face of Cliff Burton and said 'He died in a bus accident, right?' Y'all, I had no idea I had that information in my head...or how it got there. But suddenly it was there, as if by magic. It was enough to impress Jeremy, who decided to keep me around.

When I bought Jeremy a Metallica t-shirt, I pointed out that they had even painted Kirk's fingernails black. That was their style at the time. Again, Jeremy was impressed that I had noticed and remembered such a small detail.

When Reload was released I called the local CD store that Jeremy shopped at and practically begged the guy to set a copy back for me. It was the second to last CD they had left and they didn't usually hold anything for anyone. I explained to him that it was for my boyfriend who was a huge fan, and if he went in there and both of those CD's were gone he would just be crushed. He did keep the CD back for me, the other CD was sold. And when Jeremy went in to buy it the guy told him that the only copy they had left was reserved for me. This shop was local, and they knew who Jeremy was..that's how much he went in there, and the guy behind the counter told him that I was a very special lady and that he should hold on to me. Which, of course, he did.

White sitting on his bedroom floor, Jeremy strummed on his acoustic guitar and sang 'Nothing Else Matters' to me. I remember listening to him and knowing that I was falling absolutely in love with him.

I've bought Jeremy Metallica ornaments, PJ's, car decals, mugs. We have Metallica calendars, bobble heads, tikis, clocks, license plates, guitar picks, drumsticks, books, movies, box sets, CDs. Oh, and t-shirts...probably every single one.

He's been part of their fan club on and off since 1994 and has a Metallica tattoo.

On Monday night, in the San Antonio AT&T Center, as Ecstasy of Gold started playing, I was thinking about this thread that has weaved its way through the quilt that is our life, and it was nearly enough to make me teary eyed. I can't quite explain how wonderful it was to be there to see Metallica with Jeremy. To share this thing with him, this one thing that I didn't even realize I could love when I started dating him.

And as Metallica rocked our faces off, I would glance across the arena. It gave me goosebumps to see all these people nodding their heads and pumping their fists in-sync. All these people who were feeling the music like I was. People who were hearing a certain song and remembering...just like I was. And I wondered if Metallica meant as much to them as they do to me.

Just another jab of the needle to draw the thread deeper.