June 14, 2015

Kidney infection

After my run on Friday, I had a really painful cramp in my right side. It didn't feel like it was something related to running, but I just figured it would go away in a few hours. It was strong enough to where I was uncomfortable moving around a lot, so I laid on the couch and watched a movie with the kids.

After the movie, the pain got so bad that I was moaning and I couldn't concentrate on anything. I kept trying to shift positions, but nothing was helping. By early afternoon, I was in so much pain that I was crying. I considered go to the emergency room, but it seemed like an overreaction to a cramp in my side. My kids were going to be staying the night at my parents' house, so I decided that if it still hurt after they left, then I'd decide what to do.

At around 6:30, I couldn't take it anymore. Instead of going to the ER, I went to the Urgent Care clinic (it's cheaper, and I figured this wasn't really an "emergency" situation). From what I read online, I was guessing it was a kidney stone--but I didn't have any other symptoms, so I wasn't sure.

I had to wait about 30 minutes to see the doctor, and after a urine test, he told me that I have a kidney infection! I was really surprised, because I had no symptoms other than the (severe) pain. He prescribed antibiotics and a pain reliever (Tylenol 3). Unfortunately, the Tylenol 3 did absolutely nothing for the pain, so I was pretty miserable all night and for a lot of the day yesterday. It was so hard to get comfortable while lying down, so I ended up taking Joey for a walk to hopefully distract me.

I know that antibiotics have a tendency to make me retain water, but I was still shocked to see that I gained five pounds overnight! I ate well yesterday, and haven't binged or gone over my points at all, so I'm sure it has to be from the medication. Still, it sucked to see the scale shoot up like that, after I've worked so hard for the past month to lose weight. I hope that after I finish the antibiotics, it'll drop off just as fast.

We've been having a crazy amount of rain and thunderstorms for the past month or two. I can't even remember the last day that it didn't rain at some point! I actually really like storms, so it doesn't bother me, though. This morning, after the rain stopped, Eli asked me to go for a bike ride with him. It was extremely humid (82 degrees with a "real feel" of 96 due to the humidity!), but he never asks to do that, so I said sure.

Noah came with us, and we rode bikes around the neighborhood. I haven't ridden my bike recently, and going out today really made me want to start doing it again. Actually, I have to, because I signed up for that 30-mile bike ride in Detroit this September! Since I can only run three days per week, it's a good time to throw in a little biking. I'm going to aim for once a week, probably on Sunday mornings.

Last night, I decided to try this wet hair technique for curly hair, called "plopping". My mom sent me a link to a video, and just for the heck of it, I decided to try it out last night. After showering, you put your normal product in your hair (I just use a spray gel) and then you turn your head upside down and "plop" your curls onto a big t-shirt. Then you wrap the t-shirt around your head in a way that keeps your curls plopped up on top. And you sleep that way! Then, in the morning, your curls are frizz-free and looking fresh.

Lying in bed with my t-shirt turban
All was fun and games until Phoebe sneaked out of the house, and I had to run outside trying to catch her--in my pajamas with a turban on my head.

Sleeping with it wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be, surprisingly. I didn't like how it felt when the shirt was covering my ears, so I put it up a little higher. When I woke up and took off the shirt, my hair looked pretty good! It was dry and curly, and really soft. I should have taken a picture, but I went outside to ride bikes with Eli, and my hair frizzed right out in the humidity that we have going on.

Here is the video that I watched, if anyone is interested:

Tomorrow, I'm supposed to run/walk 30 minutes, so I'm anxious to see how that goes. If I have any pain at all, I'll have to stop right away and just wait until I see the physical therapist again. I'm hoping that what happened on Friday won't happen again. I haven't had any sort of pain, or even a small twinge, since then, so it's looking good so far.

Don't forget, tomorrow is Motivational Monday! If you have a photo of an accomplishment you'd like to share, here is how you can submit it.


  1. I have curly hair, and I'm soo excited to try this "plopping" method! Thanks for sharing the video! Sorry to hear about your kidney infection, but glad you went in when you did. Antibiotics are a pain with water retention, I'm sure the weight will disappear as quickly as it appeared. I really can't remember the last time I was our on a bike, good for you! Feel better :)

  2. I was doing a fitbit challenge last weekend and walked over 20,000 step in one day which is a lot for me. I sweated a lot because it was so hot outside. Sunday when I got up I was burning like crazy when I went to potty. I have suffered all week trying to get rid of it naturally going to the doctor tomorrow. Hope you are feeling better and good luck with the training!

  3. a doctor reading your blogJune 15, 2015

    I wouldn't advise you to exercise while you're ill. Give it a couple of days to get better!

  4. I saw a FB video about the t-shirt trick to dry your hair, which supposedly made it straighter and frizz free. Must be something about the t-shirt fabric?
    I have had both kidney infections and stones. They both hurt. Kidney stone pain might be worse than childbirth, at least in my opinion. OUCH! Hope the water weight is gone quickly--that can be so frustrating!

  5. Oh wow. I might try the plopping also. Sometimes if I sleep just right with wet hair I feel like my curls look pretty good in the AM. This might just do the trick. :)

  6. Ohhhhh kidney infection?! that's terrible!! I hope the antibiotics help.... And I'm sure the water weight will come off. But that definitely is very frustrating.

  7. So, so sorry about your kidney infection. I used a heating pad when I had one, my lower back hurt, and that seemed to help. I know it's hard, but taking it easy might be the best idea right now. It doesn't seem like it, but you ARE sick. Hope you feel better ASAP!

  8. I'm passing along the plopping idea to my daughter -- she has curly hair and is always trying to figure out how to make it look good and not frizz.

    I know you enjoy your exercise very much, but sometimes you have to let your body heal. Take it easy until you're better.

    Your water weight gain is fake, so don't think about or count it at all. It'll disappear as soon as you're better and off the antibiotics. Stay on track and don't let it knock down your streak -- it will be gone very soon. You've been handling WW so incredibly well this time. I'm ready to join myself because of your success.

  9. My daughter has curly hair and we struggled for years with frizz until a friend told us about Devacurl. It has changed her whole attitude about her hair, she hated it with a passion and now loves it. Even on rainy days her hair looks great! Hope you get to feeling better soon!



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