Where HAVE you been?

Has it really been a month since I have written? I haven't completely fallen off the face of the earth. Just a slight slide into oblivion. I keep trying to put on the brakes. But more and more seems to fall into my lap.

There was the kindney stone drama. Remember that stone that hit over fourth of July weekend? Well. It wasn't gone. I thought it was gone. Because it didn't hurt anymore. And then at the end of August I had what I thought was a bladder infection. That two rounds of antibiotics did not cure. Apparently it was my kidney stone. Knocking on the door of my bladder.

So my urologist decided to go in and get it. Yeah. Quite the visual. And just to make you squirm a little more. I had to have a stent put in to keep the tube open between my kidney and my bladder. And when did all this happen? The same weekend as our flood. The. Same. Weekend.

On Monday morning when we woke up to the floodwaters. And flooded basement. I had to get to the doctor to remove that stent. But most roads in the area were blocked. Including the ones that would have led me to the doctor's office. After many go rounds on the phone. The powers that be finally agreed to let me see a nurse at a different office. Thank goodness they did. Because within an hour of me coming home...the road was under water. So the stone is gone. And now we just have to wonder about the two other stones that are hanging out in my other kidney. Hopefully they'll agree to just hang out. And not try to move the party to a different location.

What else happened the week of the flood? Well. Four days later, we went to Disney World. Leaving behind a damp basement. With it's cement floors instead of carpet. And Lizzy. To stay and babysit the kitties. And breathe the nasty air. We brought her back a t-shirt.

And then. The week after Disney. What did I do? Michael and I took yet another vacation. This time to Las Vegas.

OH. And I almost forgot. In between the surgery. And vacations. I have been diagnosed with skin cancer. And if you have seen my pasty white skin. And my industrial size jug of 50 spf sunscreen. And my lack of time in the sun. It's almost comical. So. I get the area removed tomorrow. It's just a little spot on my back near my shoulder. But let me tell ya. I am so over doctors. And especially their bills.

So. I am up to my ears in insurance claims. School work. And readjusting to the Eastern time zone. Hopefully. Sooner rather than later. I'll be back to regale you with stories of Disney and Vegas. Rebuilding. Homeschooling. And whatever other nonsense I move from my brain to the computer screen.

So...what about you? Have you ever taken a big break from blogging? Disney or Vegas?

Trim the Fat Thursday - Vol III

This past week has been a blur. Or maybe a haze would be a better explanation. As I am STILL dealing with kidney stone pain. And the knowledge that the side that is not bothering me - well it has three kidney stones just waiting to make their presence known. At some inoportune moment.

Most of my week has been spent sleeping. I don't know how Dr. House functions on his high doses of Vicodin. And solves all those medical mysteries. Because all I do is sleep. And apparently when one lives a sleepy life, the pounds just melt away. If only I could get rid of the pain. And keep the not ever hungry part. I am somewhat dreading the return to reality. When these 6 pounds that disappeared somehow manage to creep back. For now. I am just enjoying the one bright side of these mean, nasty, need to go away stones.

Hangover causes Kidney stones?

It is a glorious day indeed. My children are old enough to go to the movies by themselves. While Michael and I go to a grown up movie in the theatre next door. I don't need a babysitter. I don't have to pay evening prices. And I don't have to share my popcorn. Glorious.

Last Thursday, we packed the kids off to see "Imagine That" while we went to see "The Hangover." A decidedly grown up offering. I spent the movie with my hands over my mouth. Slackjawed. In silent laughter. With tears running down my face. And a truly "OMG!" sentiment.

But after we got home. I had this sudden pain in my back. That curled around to my waist. It was a very intense pain. And it came to party with its friend nausea. It was not fun. Not at all. I somehow managed to sleep a little. And when I woke up, the pain was gone...but in its place was just an achy feeling.

Friday morning, the pain had returned. With gusto. And I completely abandoned my family. And Lizzy. And her family. Who had come to visit for the weekend. For the lovely confines of the local emergency room. I somehow managed to arrive at that split second that must happen. That second when NO ONE else was at the emergency room. No one. The parking lot was empty. The waiting room was empty. And I was taken right back.

I saw the doctor rather quickly. A Dr. Ghandi. Who told me that I had all the classic signs of kidney stones. I had a CT scan. And then they started IV drugs to deal with the pain. Oh the drugs. They were most lovely. They erased the pain. The nausea. And made me rather sleepy.

So I slept. And found out exactly how long I could go in between pain meds before I started reenacting scenes from "Terms of Endearment." ("It's past ten. My daughter is in pain. I don't understand why she has to have this pain. All she has to do is hold out until ten, and IT'S PAST TEN! My daughter is in pain, can't you understand that! GIVE MY DAUGHTER THE SHOT!" - Except that I am speaking for myself. And about a pill. Nevermind...)

And poor Lizzy. I was such a good host. It's a good thing that she comes so often. That she knows how to fend for herself. And she even did her own experiement by going with Mr. B to see "The Hangover." They escaped the kidney stone bonus track.

So that was how I spent my 4th of July. In Vicodin induced haze. Kinda like a hangover. Though I haven't seen any tigers or chickens around the house.

So...what about you? Have you seen "The Hangover?" Ever had a kidney stone? Do anything fun on the fourth?