From Sunday Funday to Morphine Monday
I haven’t been doing a lot of “fun” things lately. Correction, I haven’t been doing a lot of fun things besides working on the blog. I’ve been very inspired and motivated lately, I have a bunch of post outlines written that just need to be fleshed out when I get an outfit shot for it…and some that are just titles to remind me of an idea I had for a post. And I’m feeling so excited about all my upcoming ideas! But the net of it all is that I haven’t been getting out much. Like with people.
I don’t know about other cities, but in NY a new trend is “interactive/augmented reality experiences.” They’re mostly pop-ups, lasting just a short time…several days to several months…and they’re usually pretty pricey. Things like The World of Ice Cream or Tomatoland or 29 Rooms. They’re full of “Instagramable Moments,” and you see pictures of people having fun (or at least curated) experiences all over the internet. I’m all for a fun photo opp, but I usually skip because of the ticket prices ($46 seems to be the norm). So when I saw a FREE one, I jumped on tickets for me and a friend.
It was called Showfields. It turns out that it (which is quite brilliant, really) is actually a shopping experience, with separate shoppable opportunities of things you would normally only be able to purchase online. But here you can see, try, smell them and leave with your new purchase and no shipping charge. The reason this is not just a STORE, is that the 3-story space was also filled with experiences and photo opps. People take cute pics in the candy room or the pink room or with the scarf-wearing antelope…and they post them on IG, FB, etc. OTHER people see ALL! THE! FUN! and they want to go there, too…and when they show up for their scheduled 30-minute session (so nothing is ever overcrowded, keeping you from enjoying the experience as much as possible), they also see all the products for sale. It’s just a different way of marketing. They give John Q. Public some fun things to do and in turn, he advertises their wares on his social platforms. Pretty genius, if you ask me.
We started out by riding the elevator up to the 3rd floor, where we wandered through cubicles showing off cute planners, vintage records, dog bandanas, beautiful handbags and more. Then our small group met in front of an all-white bookcase where our guide opened a secret door and we entered a small area with a tube slide (you know those things at playgrounds?), which we used to slide down from the 3rd floor to the 2nd. THIS WAS THE GREATEST THING EVER.
EVER.
On the second floor we took selfies with a new brand of cell phone, controlled scrolling digital artwork, scrubbed away some dead skin on our hands with a vegan skin scrub, helped the “chef” wash dishes with a scrubby sponge that tells you when it’s time to throw it out, and tasted a 100% all-juice, nothing added, powdered juice blend for juicing on the go.
Back on the first floor we stopped into the cafe where I had some kind of blue latte (I forget what the flavor was, and honestly it looked better than it tasted, but…I always like to try the thing I’ve never tasted…and sometimes you win that game and sometimes you lose).
It was definitely an interesting experience, and hey, FREE.
Then we walked 17.3 miles to a lunch place named Jane (after my cat) where we had a lovely brunch and I got a free second Mimosa for mysterious reasons, but hey…FREE. On the way back we stopped into an interesting-looking architectural salvage and antique shop where I coveted giant gilt-framed mirrors, drippy goo-gah crystal chandeliers, and cool old metal animal-head-shaped hooks.
By the time we got back to the car I was exhausted and feeling a little crampy again. But we talked and laughed a lot all day and overall had a really fun, good day.
AND IT WAS ALL DOWNHILL FROM THERE.
When I got home, I got straight into bed which I never do, and promptly fell asleep. I woke up three hours later, gripped with pain. My several-year-old, large kidney stone was on the move and had gotten stuck. I’ve actually been feeling crampy and achey there for a couple weeks but it hadn’t progressed to PAIN until Sunday night. When I woke up the pain already had a pretty good hold…and prescription drugs can never catch up (for me, anyway) once the pain has already really started. You’ve got to take pain-killers BEFORE there’s pain. Cuz THAT makes sense. I took two painkillers but it was too late.
Anyway, after seven hours of writhing around in pain, trying to find the least painful position (SPOILER ALERT: there IS no painless position when you have a stuck kidney stone), and a LOT of pain vomiting, I couldn’t take it anymore and at 3am, called 911 for an ambulance. I’ve never done that before and I felt stupid. EMTs and ambulances are for real EMERGENCIES…not me and my dopey kidney stones. But I wasn’t going to wake up my landlords at 3am or call a friend at that hour…and I’ve had the experience before of telling a taxi (pre-Uber) I needed to go to the emergency room and they were like Not in MY Taxi and refused to get me. So…ambulance.
At the ER I got the nectar of the gods: morphine (though I have to say this was my LEAST magical experience with morphine – I feel like they’re making ALL pain killers weaker and weaker…AND giving you less and less). But eventually it took hold and I got some peace. Pee’d in a cup, had a cat scan, tried to doze in-between people coming in to wake and poke and prod me. Apparently I also have a UTI, for which I’ve had no symptoms, so who knew. They set me free just before 8am. I called an Uber to get me and when I got home, I got in my car to pick up my plethora of prescriptions and easy comfort food from the market.
The rest of the day is a blur of trying to read, napping on the sofa, cream of chicken soup and phone calls from people checking up on me. I’ve been taking the pain killers every four hours at the instruction of the ER doctor…but I’m afraid to go to sleep tonight. I think I’ll set my alarm to wake me in time to take the next pill. I don’t want to wake up again already having lost the pain battle.
I have an appointment with my urologist on Friday and hopefully we can fix this little problem.
So. That was my exciting 3-day weekend.
The End.
What I Wore:
- Loft Plus Drawstring Utility Jacket, 3x.
- Boohoo Striped Long Sleeve Tee, 3x. Old. Similar here and here.
- Charlotte Russe Refuge Cropped Skinny Jeans, 24short. Old. Comparable here and here.
- Reeboks Classic Sneakers
Deborah Stinedurf
Wow…so so much happening here! First of all, wth stupid kidney stone? I hope that rectifies itself soon. Are you having it removed or how does that work exactly? In the meantime, enjoy the pain meds. Now on to your fun day…that place looks so cool! You got some really great shots and sure can’t beat free! I love that flower wall that you’re standing in front of too! xo
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
bettyewp
Tina from Tina’s Pink Friday said in Germany they remove kidney stones with something called a “pig-tail catheter.” Yeah, I’ll just keep this one, thank you very much!
Seriously though, I’m seeing the urologist on Friday, HOPEFULLY he’ll have a better option than “wait it out,” cuz that has NEVER worked for me.
And don’t get me started on pain meds! I consider myself sort of an aficionado of prescription drugs (ha, that sounds really bad), having had so many PAIN CAUSING issues in my adult life. And drugs are not what they used to be! A) they used to WORK! b) they used to work FAST! Even the dr in the ER the other night said they take an hour to kick in…whereas I used to feel relief in 15 minutes (it was a beautiful thing), and c) no more lovely fuzzy foggy woowoo head feeling, they took the fun part right out of them! I always wonder what thrill painkiller ABUSERS are getting out of them cuz I don’t feel NUTHIN. Ha. They also used to knock me out and put me to sleep, not anymore. Sigh. I miss the gold old days.
Yep, drug enforcement officials are gonna be kicking in my door ANNNNNY minute now.
CiM
Oh! I do NOT like them sending you home before that kidney stone is dealt with…we’ve done that here, and it stinks. Those things have a way of coming back around. 🙁
Pain medication, yes, yes. But what you really need is lithotripsy! I wonder why they didn’t just get it over with? Maybe your urologist can do that right in the office these days?
Feels like a wicked game of roulette. Stay away, bad kidney stone! Just stop it!
Fun to hear about your outing and I’m glad you could do that before you were ambushed. Having been forced to call an ambulance for a night emergency myself, I know it is not the thrilling adventure suggested (sometimes) by TV. Usually it’s terrifying. Whatever’s happening is Not Good.
I so hope you’ll be all-okay soon. Another commenter recently said we worry about you because we care. It’s true, we do. Stay well and pain-free – that’s what we hope for you. We are all pro-Bettye!
bettyewp
Oh yeah, my stones come round and round and round again. I’ve had this particular one for over two years; at each 6-month cancer scan they’d say, “oh, did you know you still have that kidney stone? Oh look, it’s gotten bigger!!”
Did I never tell you guys my April Kidney Stone Story?? So, at the 6-month scan this April someone said (see above) and “you should really do something about that, it’s getting pretty big.” I made an appt with my urologist but he was away and I saw his partner. He said “that’s a big stone, it’s not going to pass on its own, you need to do something about that.” He suggested a lithotripsy (this will be my third)…”but we’re no longer affiliated with a hospital, we have our own out-patient kidney center where we do them, BUT…(here it comes) HOW MUCH DO YOU WEIGH? 310, I said. “Oh, you’re too heavy, we can’t treat you at our kidney center, I’ll see what we can do for you and someone will call you in a couple days.” A week went by and then a voice mail, “Hi this is __ from Dr. __ office. We can’t perform a lithotripsy at our kidney center and we’re no longer affiliated with the hospital, so you’ll have to FIND YOUR OWN SOLUTION.” SERIOUSLY. I think I saved the message just cuz it was so unbelievable. Anyway, my ONCOLOGIST called in a hydrocodone scrip for me in case I had pain cuz the urologist office wouldn’t without SEEING ME AGAIN (read: get another $50 co-pay). April is a busy month, work-wise, our big dinner dance, I wasn’t in any pain, so it all just sort of left my mind. Til Sunday when the little bugger came knockin. When I was at the hospital I told the on-call ER dr that whole story and asked if I could just schedule a lithotripsy with them without a doctor…and he said they no longer do them (!!!) but I could get a stent. Now, my sister (who also used to get kidney stones) had a stent once and said it was like THE most painful thing she’d ever experienced…so I’m not REALLY inclined to go THAT route. He said or you can just wait til you pass it. BUT I HAVE NEVER PASSED ONE WITHOUT A LITHOTRIPSY BREAKING IT/THEM UP FIRST!!! ANYWAY, I have an appt with MY urologist (not the partner) on Friday and MAYBE now that I’ve lost some weight I’ll be below (or close to) their threshold for doing the litho at their out-patient center. Otherwise…I just keep bouncing in and out of the ER if the pain-killers don’t work. Sigh. It’s a ridiculous story.
Thanks for your concern! Really!
Iris
Oh Ouch! I’m so sorry about the kidney stone, but glad you got to the hospital. Praying for a good outcome with the urologist.
The Funday did sound like fun – and that first picture was lovely.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
Been a long time since I had a FUNDAY! I thoroughly enjoyed it and am particularly annoyed that it was followed by THE PAIN FROM HELL.
julia
Alright I’m hoping that this little bad adventure gets overwhelmed with lots of good adventures coming up. I don’t know what they are but I hope the kidney stone quietly goes away and something awesome comes up that makes you forget you were even dealing with this. I’m sending you good vibes!!!!!!!!! And they spelled Janie’s name wrong!
bettyewp
Yep, just sent my friends an updated THINGS TO DO list. There are TONS of fun things to do during the holidays…and one friend just sold her house and is moving to FL right after Christmas, so I feel like we need to do ALL THE THINGS before she leaves. So I am anticipating MUCH FUN AHEAD. Just gotta get this little KS guy sorted out.
Marian
Just loved hearing your glee as you went down the slide! You definitely made the most of the free opportunities!
Take it easy. You’d think by now there would be a faster easier way to deal with something as common as kidney stones. So sorry you’re in such pain. Hope it gets better soon.
bettyewp
The slide was Very Fun!
Yeah, kidney stones, meh. I’ve been struggling with them since about 2001ish, every couple of years. I almost always HAVE them, but having them floating around isn’t the problem. Probably a LOT of people have them floating around and never even know it. It’s if they try to get out and are too large and get stuck in the ureter, THAT’S what’s painful. I have never passed one without the help of a lithotripsy to break them up. So I’m not in pain now…because anytime I feel even just a twinge in that area, I take a painkiller…but like today I only took one at 8am when I JUST got to work. And I haven’t needed to again. So I never really understand that. If it’s STUCK, and was causing deathly pain Sunday night, why is it not STILL causing deathly pain?? Did it float back up? Did it work its way out? IT’S A MYSTERY.
Tina von Tinaspinkfriday
I wish you get well Bettye. In germany they use a kind of pig-tail katheter.
XO Tina
bettyewp
Pig tail catheter?? Ooh, I’ll keep my kidney stone! That sounds horrible!!!
jodie filogomo
Eeek!! That’s pure craziness. At least you had a wonderful time before all the pain and hospital.
And you still got a blog post out…that’s even more incredible.
XOXO
Jodie
bettyewp
Neither rain nor snow nor kidney stones nor dark of night shall keep the blogger from her appointed blog!
Daenel T.
Whoa! Lady, I was all for the fun stuff in the beginning. I sure hope everything settles down soon and that the pain subsides.
I’ve never heard of that interactive shopping experience before but, man, that looks so cool. The slide video made me laugh right along with you. I cannot imagine, but I’d love it.
We have events in our community but I never go and then I complain about being left out, so there you go…
bettyewp
It was a crazy weekend, to be sure!
Cheryl Gardiner
All the best for a speedy recovery, and your description of the Funday and your video are fantastic !
Cheryl
xx
Michelle
Bettye, I hope that you are feeling better, and that the urologist was able to help you (and that you can get that nasty stone broken up so it can go away).
On the positive side, that slide looks like a lot of fun!
bettyewp
No help yet and today was just one 4-hour section after another (I can take one painkiller every 4 hours and the pain is never GONE). Long story short, urologist recommended a kidney stone specialist who might be able to lithotripsy me but when I called there the earliest appointment I could get with him is January 10. Panic. When I RELAYED said panic, the reservationist said he would SEE if he can get me in any earlier. And a screw up with the E script and the pharmacy which had me waiting there for an hour and a half and I finally had to leave because the pain was starting to be pain and I had to get home, meant I left empty-handed and I’m seriously low 🙁
I’ve been in bed since 530 just waiting to take the 930 pill, then will set my alarm for 1:30 AM and go to sleep.
But yeah, the slide was FUN!!!
Michelle
UGH – I’m so angry for you, Bettye. I hope the pharmacy gets its’ act together and gets you your prescription in a timely manner tomorrow.
I would keep pestering the kidney stone specialist until you can get in. If it’s at the point where you need to take daily painkillers just to get through the day, you need to be seen. Maybe they could also recommend another specialist so you could at least be on the wait list at 2 places? I do that whenever I encounter a dr that isn’t taking patients, or one that is really backed up, and they usually can give me a name or two.
I hope the pain is lessened enough that you can get some rest this weekend.
bettyewp
It really wasn’t the pharmacy’s fault. The uro sent the escrip while I was right there in his office…it just didn’t go through…and apparently the dr is the only one who can do the escrip thing, so I just had to wait til he had time between patients and could re-send it.
I know no one’s around on the weekend but on Monday I’ll keep trying Reservation Boy at the specialist’s office and see if there’s any change…and if not, I’ll call my uro to see if HE can call the specialist to say I really need to be seen asap…and if not, can he recommend someone else. I suspect there are NOT a lot of drs who will do the litho on someone with a high BMI at an outpatient center. I guess the next step would be to just find a HOSPITAL to do it. He said the concern is heavy patients flat on their back on the litho table with a pillow under the back so they’re actually laying a little downhill on the head end, they can have a tough time breathing (I know *I* have a tough time breathing if flat on my back) so they’re afraid of them strangling/choking/not breathing during anesthesia. I understand the concern. BUT. there’s got to be SOMETHING.
Life sort of gets put on hold when you have an active kidney stone. You never want to get caught far from home if pain hits…
Today is light cramping but not pain and I haven’t taken a pain killer since 1am (it’s a few minutes to noon now).
That’s a good suggestion to et on two wait lists – if I can FIND two! Ha 🙂
Thanks for the good thoughts, Michelle xoxo
Andrea
I hope you’re feeling much better now!
bettyewp
Thanks, Andrea. The pain comes and goes but today was good 🙂