Kidney Stones!

Around 3:30 AM I awoke with a dull but growing pain in my middle back. It took me a minute to realize that the pain was real and not part of a bad dream. As I came to my senses my first thought was, "KIDNEY STONE!" Never had one before so I really didn't know. Of course the intake of water (which I rarely do) became an instant interest. As I stood in the dark of my kitchen drawing a huge plastic glass of water I suddenly blacked out. The next thing I knew I was in a puddle of water (from the drinking glass) and a small puddle of what I suspected was blood (I was in the dark at the time, in more ways than one). I had never fainted before so I was a bit confused about what had happened. I flicked on the light, now with a pain in my jaw as well as in my aching back, and staggered to the bathroom where I now noticed a two inch gash on my chin (this sounds like a report from the rest home doesn't it...)!

Knowing that I was going to need stitches I woke Abby on the first call (Dawn is in Curitiba), a miracle in itself. She called Carlinhos and Mara, who graciously came and took us to the hospital. After taking four stitches on the chin my first diagnosis was confirmed with an abdominal X-ray.

I will be drinking a lot of water for the next few days to try and expel that pesky stone! David brought down Goliath with one stone to the forehead. I don't know the size of that stone, nor do I care at the moment, but it was very effective. Now I realize that God could have used a much smaller kidney stone. The doctor told me that mine is about 3 to 4 millimeters (which is about 1/8 of an inch, it felt more like a boulder!). As I sit here typing, with a big white bandage on my chin (Mara called me Santa Clause!), I realize how funny the whole ordeal was. But, you know what? It got my attention! Interesting how God helps one to sympathize with the infirmed.