by NATH VALVO
Earlier this year I became a man, a real man.
And no, this is not an excerpt from Chaz Bono’s memoirs.
Drum roll please …
This year, I passed TWO kidney stones. AT. THE. SAME. TIME.
(Insert raucous applause)
Before this happened, it is safe to say that I was a pussy.
A massive pussy.
I cried in grade 4 watching Free Willy. I straighten my hair everyday. And I’m partial to using an exfoliating glove in the shower (does wanting immaculate skin make a man a pussy? Yeah, probably).
But I digress…
I was walking through my local supermarket when I was struck by an excruciating pain in my lower back. Considering I haven’t done exercise since that time in 2005 when I had to run for a train, I was confused as to what the cause of this pain could be. I knew it was serious.
I had to bail on my supermarket visit (I couldn’t afford the box of fruit loops anyway). A few minutes later, I arrived back home and called my nurse friend, Fiona, for advice. Once she had completed her initial assessment and was satisfied that it was not a drunk sex injury, she agreed to come over and drive me to a doctor.
But while waiting for her to arrive, the second attack hit. The final attack.
My entire body began to spasm, my insides felt like they were crumping to a Beyonce song. I found myself on the couch in the fetal position, shaking, vomiting (much like I did that time I watched The Shire)… then… I passed out.
A minute or so later, I came to – just as Fiona arrived. Having not seen me in such a state since 2003 (my Emo phase, don’t go there), she was understandably freaked out and quickly dialed an ambulance.
Waiting for the ambulance to arrive was when the real fun started.
As my lower organs continued to break-dance inside my body, I began to feel an amazingly intense pressure on my bladder. So intense, that it became very clear, very quickly that I was going to start urinating … whether I liked it or not (now I know why my mother of four children refuses to jump on trampolines).
Still in the fetal position on the couch I reluctantly screamed to Fiona: “I’m going to piss my pants! I’m going to piss my pants!” Fiona, without a second thought, slid over a salad bowl (with salad still in it).
Never in my life have I ever thought I would have to make the decision: “Piss your pants or piss in to a salad bowl.”
I undid my pants, screamed to Fiona “Turn around!!!”, placed my penis in the salad bowl… and began to sporadically urinate in rapid squirts.
Let’s recap the scenario.
I’m curled up on my couch… in agony… with my penis in a salad bowl… urinating… sporadically.
That’s when the ambos walked in.
I would LOVE to know what went through the ambos’ minds when they first witnessed this scene. “What a weird fetish!” or “Why not just use a fork?” or “You don’t win friends with salad… let alone having sex with it.”
Ignoring the penis on salad leaf situation, the ambos quickly administered some top-shelf painkillers and I suddenly found myself dancing with a unicorn on the moon to an Enya song. In reality this translated to being taken to the ER for some routine scans.
The scans came back to reveal that TWO, not one, but TWO kidney stones had made the courageous journey from my kidney down into my bladder.
The doctor exclaimed, “passing kidney stones is in the top 5 most painful things a human can go through!”
I am not too sure what makes up the remainder of the list, but here is my guess:
The top 5 most painful things are human can go through:
1. Child Birth
2. Being shot in the face
3. Kidney Stones
4. Beheading
5. Salt & Vinegar Chips after a paper cut
The doctor also told me that the intense pressure on the bladder was the result of the stones “moving in” from the kidney. He also added that I would have to keep an eye on my wizz to know that the stones pass through completely. Fun.
I placed a pasta sieve over my toilet seat every time I tinkled and 2 days later, with surprisingly no pain, the 2 stones passed through my member.
Both father and stones are doing well.
Some friends of mine say the fact that I passed out from the pain still makes me a pussy, to them I say f*@$ you!
Facts are facts people. My gravestone will now read “Nath Valvo : Real Man (with immaculate skin)”
Sharing this story exhausts me. I need to re-fuel. Care to join me for a salad?
Nath Valvo is a comedian based in Melbourne. He can be heard on the Nova FM network and will one day host his own talk show. You can follow him on twitter here.
What’s the most embarrassing situation you’ve ever ended up in? How did you get there?







Comments
143 Comments so far
that is hilarious , mia you have to sign him up…i was really depressed today and i laughed my head off
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This is the best. But you got number 1 totally wrong. Bowel obstruction tops all of these, every single time. Id know, Ive had three.
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…what?
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Some time ago, Coach Diaper Bag
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‘Salt & Vinegar Chips after a paper cut’! Best article I’ve read ever!
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Oh yes totally agree. I passed kidney stones at about 7 months pregnant with each of my first 2 kids. Not nice
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This post is hilarious. Had a great laugh at this.. then had to explain my laughter to my colleagues.
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OMG… that took me back to about 2 years ago when I also gave birth to a 4.5mm stone… it took weeks to come out & after being in emergency from midnight to 4pm the next day, they sent me home saying: ‘this will pass.” WTF? When?? Every time I tried to pee, it was like I’d had 10 litres of water but only able to pee little drops, every 5 minutes. Oh the joy! It took weeks to expel the stone & the pain as you well know, is indescribable…. I know that a night of very vigorous shagging really helped to move the stone, as it came out the next morning! I have also heard running up & down stairs can help, as can lying on speakers turned up VERY loud. I think the pain is comparable to a samurai sword being twisted in my side. Now I drink loads of water & herbal tea as I never, ever want this to happen again for as long as I live! I am also curious… how big were your stones?
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OMG Hilarious. And also? I am never coming to your house for dinner.
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Far out. This had me in hysterics. What horrendously crap things kidney stones are! I got such a great laugh out of this article it’s made my day. Write some more please!!?
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That is the funniest article I’ve ever read on Mamamia.
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It is unfortunate that such pain had to be indured, but, this story made my day.
Thanks for the giggle Nath!
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I recently suffered an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured my Fallopian tube. By far the worst pain I’ve ever been in.
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I am currently suffering from gallstones and am in the process of seeing a surgeon to get my gallbladder removed. The pain that I suffer from the gallstone attacks is like nothing I have ever experienced, its almost (almost!) bad enough at the time that I wish I could bash my head against a brick wall to knock myself out.
At the time the pain started I had no idea what was going on, I felt that I was dying a slow and painful death and no sleeping position or medication would relieve it. Ill breeze my way through child birth after this experience.
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Not so funny but embarrasing ala the salad bowl – I have epilepsy had my third seizure – at the age of 15 – happened when I was sitting on the toilet.
Fun times.
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My first one happened after my first teenage all night kissing session. Try explaining that to a guy!
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I have had five knee surgeries so that is painful but there were two instances in particular.
My second knee surgery (the first larger one) was in a small hospital. I was in recovery and at the same time another patient that was coming too went in to respiratory arrest. So I was coming too with no one monitoring me. I woke up fast as all get up! The next day my surgeon told me he heard me in the car park!
My last surgery (another big one – the biggest of the lot) was both knees and very painful. Was on fentonil every ten minutes but they did not put the iv in properly so i was constantly waking up with very little pain relief in my system.
OUCH.
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If your IV wasn’t in properly nothing would infuse at all, you’d get a big lump on your arm and they’d know pretty quickly. If you were on a patient controlled infusion of medication it may be that you were in pain every time you woke up because you’d been asleep and not pressing the button for more pain relief.
Otherwise it’s either in and working or not working at all, there’s no inbetween.
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I had a kidney stone 5 days before my wedding in 2011. I hadn’t passed it yet, and was told if it hadn’t passed in five days, to come back so they could blast it. Needless to say I did everything I could to get that thing out (drinking extreme amounts of water and holding on a bit to go to the toilet so the flow was huge) and on day 4 it appeared. Not what I wanted to be thinking about in the lead up to getting married, but it was nice to stress about something else for a change!
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Great read- thanks for the chuckle.
My birth was fine- not one bead of sweat but I had an epidural so can’t really comment.
My worst pain was having a swab up my nostril. Imagine a stick scraping the upper inside of your nose. I cried for at least two hours afterwards.
Haven’t experienced kidney stones and hope I never have to.
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*grin*
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I had gall stones a few months after having my baby, so I consider myself something of an expert on comparisons between the two – and I’ve heard gall and kidney stones are similar in pain levels.
I’d take birthing another baby over a gall bladder attack any day (plus, I’d get a BABY at the end of it!).
Great story anyway.
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Kidney stones are worse!!! As someone who has had both, there’s literally nothing you can do to dull the pain of a kidney stone. Heat is useless, and no body position known to mankind relieves it!
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Oh gosh. Reading this made me cringe and laugh all at once. I don’t know what to think! Arrrgh!
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One thing that childbirth taught me is that there are different types of pain. My first baby hurt a lot, but it wasn’t a panicky sort of pain, where my body was screaming “DANGER” at me. It was closer to the pain you feel while exercising, but much more intense. However, getting the stitches afterwards (bad tear that couldn’t be fully anaesthetised) was much, much worse. My body freaked out at that.
Because of this I wasn’t too worried about my 2nd birth. But then my baby turned out to be huge (4.7kg) and I was induced, and I have to say I felt panic pain throughout the entire labour (which thankfully was quite short). I have never had kidney stones, but imagine them to be the panicky type of pain, mixed with a huge dose of fear because you don’t know what’s happening.
Loved this article btw!
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I remember the sudden onset of the most excruciating pain with extraordinarily vivid clarity. I had been shot with a rocket propelled grenade which exploded in the right side of my back. I had been walking up the rear steps of my house when hit by an unidentified sniper secreted in some unknown location. What had brought on this attack? I was just an average Joe trying to go about his life, not upsetting anyone. My head was racing as I desperately crawled the one hundred metres across the last two steps to the safety the laundry(that laundry basin is capable of holding large volumes). I was so fortunate that my partner(mother of out three children) arrived home at that very moment and was able to start the life saving first-aid I so desperately needed to survive(god you’ve made a bloody mess – how will I ever be able to use that basin again). it was touch and go for a number of days. I commenced a long regeime of regulated pain relief and my attending physician debated whether or not radical surgery may just get me through this dark time. Finally a surgeon was brought in and he worked feverishly to save me as I was going downhill rapidly. After a marathon time in the operating theatre I was transferred to intensive care and watched carefully until I eventually began to come around. Through a hazed awakening my frantic partner( a surgical nurse) anxiously informed me that two large pieces of schrapnel had been removed from my pain racked body and with time and a long period of rehabilitation I would probably make a full recovery. At least I think that is what she meant when she said the doctor had removed two kidney stones the size of a match head and “you are going to be OK –you sook”
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my husband passed kidney stones .he passed five of them threw his penis natrualy.the three kids were at my parents house .i am seven months pregnant with twin boys at the time.i help my husband and coached and videotape the birth .he drink this liquid that the gave his time his contraction check his penis if the have droped kidney stones.his male childbirth lasted 17 hours and passing took 2 and half hours.he stuck with his male lamaze breathing grunted stones out.
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Very funny, it reminds me of some overnight guests who got lost in a friend’s home one night after a big session. They couldn’t find the loo so in desperation used a soup tureen that they found in the china cabinet in the lounge. They were asked to replace the turneen which they did thank heavens.
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Item 4 on the list should be: Getting a Brazilian wax.
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Getting a wax is almost pleasurable, compared to a kidney stone. I am dead serious.
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I thought this was funny, but I’m going to have to be the wowser and ask can you please not use the word pussy to describe a coward? women who knowingly get pregnant, knowing that they are going to have to go through the number one on that pain list should in no way be connected with cowardice…. or wait does pussy in australia not mean vagina?
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It does and you’re right. That’s what jumped out at me too. Casual misogyny is encoded into the language and most words denoting weakness are associated with femaleness, so it takes a bit of effort not to use it, but there ARE gender neutral words out there that you can use if you stop to think about it for more than a second. Wimp or wuss would work (though I’m not sure of the latter in Aussie English), as would weakling or crybaby for example.
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Can we say, ‘Naw, look at the little furry pussy’, when a kitten bounds toward you, or is that also against the rules?
How absurd to call for a moratorium on the use of a word on the strength of its euphemistic meaning.
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Nath, we didn’t think it was a fetish!
Love,
Jade (Your paramedic)
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Holy shit!
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That is hilarious.
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I was a little disappointed that you didn’t refer to me as “the hot blonde paramedic” though… But you were out cold once we loaded you up with analgesia so I’m not surprised it slipped your mind!
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I’ve had three big babies, two with ventouse with limited pain relief. Last year I collapsed in pain at work, got to emergency at hospital and discovered 5 large kidney stones. Pain comparison – in labour I shouted and people in next room could hear, with kidney stones I screamed so that the ENTIRE hospital heard. Had the highest legal dose of morphine and was still vomiting with severity of pain.
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OMG this is the funniest thing I’ve read on here for ages…please more from Nath (but not necessarily after suffering in such a dramatic fashion).
Seriously though, my mum went through multiple episodes of kidney stones (some so massive she had to have them laser-blasted to get them to move out. Don’t even think about it!) and every time she said it was worse than child birth. Only time I ever saw my dad cry when I was growing up was when it was his turn for kidney stones. So hope it’s not hereditary.
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Ouch…!!! Man, you made by whole body squirm reading this article. I wouldn’t ever want to be in in your position. You made me laugh though when I read about the ambos coming in!!! Hope you have recovered well…
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Had gall stones, gall bladder removed, kidney stones and two kids and I would take labour over either of those! At least in labour you know what’s happening and get a nice present at the end!
Thankfully I don’t have a gall bladder any more so no more attacks but when they came I swear I was dying! So painful!!! I would end up in emergency and tell them what was happening. Kidney stones are just as bad…
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After a particularly awful day, this made me laugh so hard! I think a llittle bit of wee came out for real…
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I’ve read this several times and it is still hilarious! I’ve experienced both childbirth and kidney stones and reading this I almost needed a salad bowl ; ) thankyou for a great laugh.
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I apologize if this is a ridiculous question, but in regard to the pain of childbirth, does having a low pain threshold a concern? My pain threshold is ludicrously low. I am worried I’ll pass out, or something bad will happen because I won’t be able to cope with the pain.
(I am not pregnant, btw!!)
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Doesn’t matter, it bloody hurts. Don’t let a low pain threshold put you off, just take some nice drugs to calm your nerves and you’ll be fine. No excuses now huh?
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I liken it to being cut in half by a chainsaw. There’s no point in sugar coating it, for me the pain surpassed even my wildest expectations. But that said, your body is designed to cope with it (your body will stun you with what it is capable of during pregnancy and childbirth), it’s a positive pain that usually only lasts for a matter of hours (rather than weeks, months or indefinitely), there are really great drugs if it all gets too much and you get an awesome reward at the end. I’m a total sook and I’ve been through it twice and lived to tell the tale. You’ll be fine.
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I have had such a long day with two sick children and this had me laughing out loud. My kids are looking at me like I have lost my mind – thanks for a good laugh!
Oh – not laughing at the pain, but the description of the experience, Nath you have a great way with words!
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I’m so sorry Nath, but this has got to be one of the funniest articles I have read on Mamamia for a while. What an awful experience, but you made it such a joy to read about – thanks! Hahahaha.
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hear hear!
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I do recall hearing about a chap who had need to apply a dose of Tiger Balm to a muscle injury, forgetting to wash his hands after the application. When nature called he took himself in hand to answer the call.
As his penis began to burn, a short while later, he pulled it out to give it a quick inspection….with the same unwashed, Tiger Balm coated hands. For whatever reason, with penis still untethered, he stood by tallboy…where a drawer, at about waist height, was standing opened.
He leaned into the tallboy, his bodyweight forcing the drawer to close on his manhood. He let out a scream of pain….as he pulled himself backwards. His “friend” was wedged in the drawer !
The moral to the story….always wash your hands.
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Recently I was punched in the nuts by an over enthusiastic three year old.
At that moment, as I fell to my knees covered in a sudden rush of cold sweat, I did consider that childbirth might be less painful.
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Yes, actually, it always does look to me like a ‘nut’ injury might make the all time top 5 painful things. One item of pain I will never, thank the Lord, have to experience.
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In “He died with a felafel in his hand” there was a fridge veggie crisper pissing incident, which was just as funny, but there was alcohol involved not renal colic and ambos.
My hubby had his gallstones (and bladder) taken out last year. His preceding attacks were pretty bad, but he’d refuse to go to emergency until he was virtually writhing around in pain. After the surgery he had a stone get stuck in his bile duct and wouldn’t go to emergency until he was a nice shade of yellow. Sigh.
He’s never been silly enough to compare it to childbirth, although a brick nearly killed him when he was 19….
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I’m sorry, but after laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes to the article, I read your comment and thought (for the briefest of moments) that your husband had endured having his bladder removed – and thought ‘crap, they must have been some massive gallstones! Took a second reading to clear that one up!
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Worst pain ever (and I’ve had two babies, one by caesar) was a dry socket after tooth removal.
The only thing that worked was heavy strength pain killers, a good swig of Vodka at night and time.
Worst Pain Ever.
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OMG, yes. that happened to me. I was almost delirious with pain. The dentist had shut so I went to the emergency room at the hospital. I was given super strength painkillers because it was that bad. I just tried to knock myself out with them , and sleep through it.
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Great post Nath! I laughed so much reading this that I nearly weed myself! Where’s a salad bowl when you need one…..
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Love this guy’s writing. More of him please MM!
Most painful things I ever experienced were labour and gall stones.
Can’t think of a most embarassing. Obviously I need to get out more!
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We hear you! We want more too
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Worst pain I’ve ever experienced:
1. Gall stones/pancreatitis
2. Childbirth
3. Tooth abscess
Solution:
1. Gall bladder removed
2. Tubes tied
3. Regular dental checks
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Hey Nathan
Fabulous story, must say will never look at salad the same again!
As a paramedic with many years experience I would not have looked twice at the salad/penis situation, and would hve promptly pulled out the morphine for you toot sweet!
My list of things I consider the worst pain ever-
1. Childbirth but at least you get a baby at the end
2. Kidney stones
3. Gallstones (sorro be
4. Dislocated shoulder (or (then elbow or hip or knee)
5. Burns anywhere first or second degree (first hand experience here)
Possibly all very closely ranked
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I dislocated my shoulder during child birth and pushed my baby out without any drugs! (two off the list) But was reduced to tears of pain and disbelief shortly after with a needle in the thigh to detach the placenta. It seemed to hurt more than the earlier two events combined. I wouldn’t say I have a high pain threshold but I think it has a lot to do with your mind.
I am wondering what is the cause of kidney stones as I don’t want a trifecta next pregnancy.
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Drink lots of fluids & limit salt
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Great post Nath! I should not be laughing, but the way you put things, I couldn’t help but do so. I do sympathize, my husband has had kidney stones 7 times!! Tell your friends your not a pussy, he to has passed out with the pain, & he is as tough as they come. So bravo, & well done, I’m glad you made it through.
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Hahaha good one. Hope to read more of your work Nath
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Is it weird that i’m dying to know what the kidney stones looked like?
ps this is fricking hilarious
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I laughed out loud at this. Thanks Nath (and MM).
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Nath you are hilarious! I nearly snorted my cup of tea out my nose I was laughing so hard!
A small request for Mamamia though – I’m sure a lot of your readers read these posts at work (or maybe it’s just me?). It would be great if you could avoid using words in your headers that are likely to ping on the IT filter. I clicked on the post (with no suspect words in the title) but was horrified when I looked at the banner at the top of my screen to see ‘Penis’ in there. Not fun trying to explain that one to my boss….though he’s a bloke so all I had to say was ‘passing kidney stones through it’ and he’d had enough
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