Emergency Room Farts, Kidney Infections, and SHOUT OUTS!

....But never trust a fart!

Gas.  We've all had it.  And sometimes it really hurts.  So bad that some people might think something is seriously wrong with them.  I've heard the stories.  You know, the ones where people end up calling a  doctor or better yet, driving themselves to the Emergency Room.  They tell the doctors and nurses about how they think they might have some kind of rupture, maybe a cyst, perhaps an infection.   And then it happens.  They are sent home and told they just had gas.  Told that they just need to let one rip.  They just needed to fart!  And for some, this trip to the doctor or ER isn't cheap.  An expensive fart!

Knowing about these "just needed to pass gas" in the ER stories has always had me think twice before freaking out about any unusual stomach pain.  This week I've been experiencing some really crazy cramps along with feeling unusually sore, tired, and grumpy.  On Monday I had cramping so bad that I was in tears.  Nothing helped and the pain felt similar to labor.  By Tuesday I was feeling a little bit better but then by Wednesday my lower back ached like crazy.  Wednesday night came and halfway into book club I could tell that the pain in my back was getting worse.  I was just chalking it all up to a really bad case of PMS.  Although I've never been one to have cramps, I just figured that this must be a sign of getting older.  By 2 a.m I knew that the pain was not normal but I still didn't want to drive myself to the ER just to be told that I needed to rip a big one or go home and take a midol.

So glad I went in!  Turns out to be a kidney infection.  I had some gas too and I did let a few rip while I was waiting for the doctor.  But in all seriousness, I was really glad to get some pain relief!  Looks like God was  serious about making sure I listened to the "Be Still" message from my last post.  My husband had joked that he wasn't so sure that I would be able to actually listen to myself and take it easy for a few days.  A kidney infection is definitely a good way to slow me down.  A forced break.  And a much needed one.  Although my body is hurting a little and working extra hard fighting off this thing, it is probably glad that I'm not out there trying to climb any mountains, swim across a lake, ride my bike to the next town, or do a speed workout on the track just to keep up with my fitness.  Nope.  Instead I sat outside in the backyard, enjoyed a summer evening dinner with my family, and talked with my husband about life!  It was wonderful!  It was the "Being Still" that I needed.

Shout OUTs
On a non-farting note, I wanted to say a few words or post a few pictures for those of you who are competing this weekend!  There are several of you.  Some of you have running events or relays.  Some have cycling races and triathlons.  I'm not even going to try to write down everyone specifically right now but you know who you are! The positive messages below are for you too!

I did want to take a moment to give a special Shout Out to Jenn and Ana Maria!  Jenn and Ana Maria are two people that have come into my life through this blog world and even though I have not met them, I consider them a friend.  I've learned so much from them and am inspired by them daily! I hope to meet them both in Boston in 2012!

Good luck to Jenn as she runs her third marathon this Saturday!  Good Luck to Ana Maria in her first Half Ironman!  I expect both of them to finish strong and surprise us all!  Amazing and gifted women here!  In so many many ways that go beyond their identity as an athlete!  I'll be cheering for you from Oregon!  And just because I didn't included enough exclamation marks: !!!!!!

My daughter helped me with the heart here.  And the coloring. 

Amanda