I never knew what a kidney stone looked like until my husband passed #63.

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Life throws you curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs come in the form of jagged little rocks. Until recently, the extent of my knowledge about kidney stones resided firmly in the realm of vague medical drama references. Then, my husband, bless his stoic heart, passed #63. Yes, you read that right, number sixty-three.

The day began innocently enough. A dull ache in my husband's lower back, dismissed as a pulled muscle from yard work. But as the hours wore on, the ache morphed into a searing pain that had him doubled over, his face etched with agony. A trip to the emergency room confirmed our worst fears: kidney stone.

Suddenly, the internet became my best friend (and worst enemy) as I delved into the world of nephrolithiasis (the fancy medical term for kidney stones). Apparently, these nasty little deposits, formed from crystallized minerals in the urine, can be the size of a grain of sand or, in my husband's unfortunate case, a rather large pebble.

The waiting room was a study in shared misery. Groans and winces punctuated the sterile silence as fellow kidney stone sufferers huddled in their pain. It was a bizarre camaraderie, a silent understanding of the searing agony that united us.

Thankfully, modern medicine has solutions for even the most stubborn stones. After a battery of tests and a generous helping of pain medication, my husband emerged, looking a little worse for wear, but stone-free (well, #63-free, at least).

But the experience left a lasting impression. Here are some unexpected lessons I learned from the whole ordeal:

Lesson #1: The internet is a double-edged sword. While it provided a wealth of information, it also offered a terrifying glimpse into the worst-case scenarios. A little knowledge goes a long way, but sometimes, too much can send you down a rabbit hole of medical anxiety.

Lesson #2: Men are stoic... to a fault. My husband, bless him, tried to downplay the pain, a fact that nearly landed him back in the ER when the "dull ache" turned into a full-blown agony attack. Lesson learned: men, communicate your pain! Early intervention can save everyone a lot of suffering.

Lesson #3: Water is your new best friend. Apparently, dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stones. Who knew a simple glass of water could be such a powerful weapon against tiny, sharp enemies?

Lesson #4: Empathy is key. Witnessing my husband's pain made me appreciate the little things in life – sitting comfortably, laughing without wincing, and the sheer joy of peeing without feeling like you're passing razor blades.

Lesson #5: You never know what life will throw at you. One day you're weeding the garden, the next you're passing a pebble. Life has a knack for surprising you, so appreciate the good times and roll with the punches (or, in this case, the stones).

The ordeal with #63 was an unwelcome crash course in kidney stones. But it also served as a reminder of the resilience of the human body, the importance of clear communication, and the power of a good glass of water. So, here's to staying hydrated, appreciating good health, and hoping my husband never, ever has to experience the joy of passing #64.