Stone-Free, Heart-Full

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Last night I slept like a baby at the hospital. Woke up feeling fresh, and no toilet struggles this morning. First win of the day! Around 7 a.m., I emerged from the bathroom to find my mom and my in-laws already there. They’d left their house at 5:30 a.m., picked up my mom on the way, and arrived bright and early. 

Today’s main event was ESWL treatment to blast my kidney stones into dust. It was supposed to happen at 8 a.m., then moved to 9 a.m., and finally got pushed to 11 a.m. because my doctor had another procedure. Which meant the parents had been there for hours, and I got to nap on and off like a cat waiting for dinner.

But maybe that delay was divine scheduling. Just minutes before the nurse came to take me in, my pastor arrived to pray for me in person. He drove 40–50 kilometers to be there. That’s not just kind, it’s humbling. Thank you, Pak Pendeta.

And earlier, another “pastor” (in quotes because she’s actually my friend Detha) prayed for me over the phone. Add in the constant prayers from my husband and parents, and I felt completely wrapped in a safety net of love.

At 11-something, it was finally go time. They had me lie down while the machine pressed against my kidney. Imagine being snapped with a rubber band, but a thousand times over, and with the intensity dial gradually turning up from “meh” to “whoa.” The real sting hit when it zapped the stone directly, but once it started breaking apart, the pain eased up.

After about 70 minutes, it was done. Earlier than expected, coz the stone was actually still so small and I can hold the pain better. And then I got to see the ultrasound images confirming my kidney stone had been smashed to bits. Second win of the day! 

When I stepped out, my husband, mom, and in-laws were sitting right outside like my personal cheer squad. Everything went smoothly, praise God. Back in my room, I attacked lunch like I’d just run a marathon, then got hooked up to IV antibiotics and rested before visiting hours.

At around 3 p.m., my old friend Siezqa walked in. Funny thing is, my friend Detha had told me she’d be coming, but then they both showed up together. How? Turns out their kids go to the same school, and it was Siezqa who told Detha I was in the hospital. They came all the way by train and taxi just to visit, bringing bread and big smiles.

While we were chatting, my eldest daughter arrived from campus by taxi. She sat with me the whole time Detha and Siezqa were there, and stayed until they left close to 6 p.m. Not long after, at 6:30 p.m., my insurance agent Claudia arrived with her husband. My father-in-law kept the room filled with laughter. They left just before 7 p.m., and by 8 p.m., my mom, in-laws, and daughter also headed home.

Finally, it was just me and my husband in the room. The quiet felt like a warm blanket. My body could rest, my mind could breathe, and my heart felt full. I opened my laptop to write this down so that I can remember and still feel this warm feeling forever. 

One treatment down, one or two more to go. But I’m not worried. Even when the schedule changes, or the waiting feels long, or the machine is zapping your kidney like a hyperactive rubber band, you’re never alone if you’re surrounded by people who care. Third win of the day! 

Cheers to holding on, staying grateful, and letting love be the best medicine. And if life ever hands you kidney stones, may you have the kind of friends, family, and best hospital service that make the journey feel a little lighter.

Love,

Nuniek

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