Going for a Walk

Between the UTI, juggling Robby's end of the semester woes and frustrations and enduring the miserable weather, this week has dragged on and on. I'm really looking forward to the weekend. Saturday is supposed to be cool but bright and sunny. I think Friend and I both need a few hours outside to just walk and unwind (by ourselves). Hopefully both the weather and my leg will cooperate with my great weekend escape. 

I've developed (another) small sore on the top of my tibia which has me concerned. I am optimistic that I caught it in time and that it won't impede with my plans, but I'm always worried because I know how quickly my mobility can be taken by the most benign looking skin bump. At this point, I think I need to start buying blister band aids in bulk.

Art Class

 While much of the Northeast experienced snow, yesterday we were greeted with a steady falling cold rain. The boys are disappointed at the lack of snowfall this year and I tend to agree with them. One or two big snowstorms are always fun assuming that we have both food and power. Hopefully February will bring more than rain. 

Despite the rain, yesterday was not a complete washout. Timmy started his new art class and, according to him, it was marvelous. I was proud of him because I know that walking into a room where you don't know anybody can feel overwhelming. He was nervous but excited as we walked into the studio. After quickly surveying the class, I could tell that he was disappointed that he was the only boy. 

The teacher, recognizing his observation, quickly reassured him that he was going to have a great time and that they were excited to have a male perspective in class. He stood a little taller, smoothed his Starry Night shirt and promptly told me I could leave. An hour later I picked him up and he was grinning from ear-to-ear.  

Yay for art class!

Thank You

 I was apprehensive about sharing my unfortunate foray into public urination. I finally opted to share because, deep down, I suspected that I am not the only person who has experienced a bladder paralyzing UTI. Almost as soon as my story published I began receiving messages from friends and new readers, sharing their own experiences. It turns out that more of us are walking around with wet underpants than I realized, yet nobody wanted to admit it first.

Getting old stinks, and I suspect that this will not be the only time my body controls falter in public. Despite the embarrassment, it is nice to know that I am not alone.  Thank you for your support, and a huge thank you to everybody who took time to share your story with me.

The Urinator

I hesitated to share this story because it is steeped in embarrassment but I decided that has never before stopped me. The struggle with kidney stones and a UTI is intense. Last week, thoughts of urination issues were omnipresent as I was in the throws of a painful situation. 

On Friday Robby began his Enrichment Classes. Unfortunately, his school is nearly 40 minutes away which means that I spend a lot of time in the car. Typically the drive is not an issue and I have actually come to enjoy the quiet time in the car after drop off and before pick-up.  I finally found a babysitter to come to sit at the house on Friday morning so I can drive Robby to school while Timmy attends his virtual classes in his bedroom. 

Because of the urinary issues and the change in our schedule, I didn't prepare for the babysitter by getting money in advance. I knew I was going to have to stop at the ATM on the way home from dropping off Robby. The thought of having to stop concerned me (because of my weakened bladder), but I pushed it aside and carried on with getting Robby to school.

Everything was going great during the drive. My bladder felt comfortable and I wasn't experiencing any pain, so I felt confident when I parked the car and walked into the little store's ATM. As I slipped my ATM card into the machine I felt an overwhelming urgency. I knew I was doomed. 

Despite my efforts to the contrary, my bladder completely released. And it wouldn't stop. My pad filled up and began to overflow.  I stood there, at the ATM, with brightly colored urine (the UTI medication turns your urine bright orange) pooling down my legs and on the floor in front of me. There was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I was frozen in both urine and fear.

Finally, the world's longest pee stopped. I was mortified, turned quickly and took a large step in the direction of the counter to beg forgiveness and a mop. I slipped, losing my balance and fell in my bright orange pee puddle. An unfortunate man getting coffee nearby was the innocent victim of pee splash back from my fall. Mortified, I managed to get up while loudly apologizing to anybody and everybody before trudging my wet and humiliated butt out of the store.

Driving from the grocery store to our house, I tried to figure out how to explain my wet pants to the sitter. I decided my best option would be sneaking into the back of the house so I could change into something dirty but dry in the laundry room. It turns out that, for the first time in our family history, we were caught up on laundry and there was nothing for me to wear. Left with no options, I ran up the stairs and muttered something about spilling coffee. 

I think she believed me, but that is really the least of my concerns. I definitely need to find a new grocery store.