There will be no photos associated with this post. When I tell you the subject you will likely be grateful. You see, I have a kidney stone. I first noticed it on Thanksgiving day, and by notice, I mean like you might happen to notice someone hitting you with a 2x4 in the kidney and then kicking you in the groin. All week I've been in varying degrees of discomfort and I went to see a urologist today. He ordered a
KUB x-ray and when he put it up on the screen even I could point out the the little bugger. Upon examination it turned out to be about 10mm long and 7mm wide. Maybe that doesn't seem very large but the largest one that I've ever passed was only about 4mm in diameter. That's like the difference between a lemon and a pineapple.
Okay, maybe one photo, because
my sister would be disappointed if I didn't:
Cute little guys, aren't they? Anyway, it's highly unlikely that this new one will pass on its own so I'll be going back next week to see if it moves and probably schedule a session on the
lithotriptor.
However, based on the urologist's description of it before he lasered it into bits, its shape more closely resembled our old friend xanthium strumarium, commonly known as the cockleburr. Anyway, I am recovering well, grateful that I have a wonderful wife to take care of me and two sweet boys who make me smile even as they cause a little extra pain when they "hop on pop".
The surgeon also found a floater from a tear in her meniscus (see diagram) 
This is likely the biggest contributor to her recent knee problems. 
Everything went very well, mother and knee are home and resting peacefully. Special thanks for Ma's mom for coming and helping out for a few days.