I've Fallen but I Will Get Back Up. Promise. 

After sleeping with the Biologist recently, I woke up the next morning with a urinary tract infection. I’ve had one once in my life, so I knew the signs. (Note to self: What happened to forgetting to pee! A little lube would’ve been a good idea, too.) I was sure I could kill that UTI by downing some cranberry juice and acidophilus. Apparently not.

After my allergic reaction to the medication I took following my poison oak, I dreaded going back to the doctor and getting amped up on more drugs. I have a high pain tolerance, but I couldn’t ignore the pain rising in my insides.

When I woke up with a fever, I knew something was wrong. I went to the doctor’s for a urine test, and she prescribed antibiotics. I started the first dose, but back at home, I couldn’t stop shaking. What was wrong? Thank goodness, my dad was with Mae yesterday, and they came home to find me in bed, shivering.

My dad looked scared when he saw me. I told him I’d call the doctor. She told me to come right in. My little Mae said, “Mommy, are you going to be okay?”

Yes, sweetie.

I walked in dizzy, with 104 fever. A kidney infection.

There was talk of sending me to the hospital, and thank goodness the color started to come back in my face. The antibiotics were working. I could go home and sleep.

The doctor said that I’d need to have someone here overnight “in case things take a turn for the worse,” so my friend Arden came over to have a slumber party with our girls. She even washed all my dishes in the morning. I’m forever grateful.

When I wake up, I dive back into my overwhelming work pile. I keep listening to that song, “Falling Slowly,” from the Once soundtrack, which I do whenever I’m feeling vulnerable. Thanks for being there when I come back.