Kidney stones form when salts and urea crystallize in the urine, causing severe pain as they block the ureter. Wenke Freyboth endured months of colic before seeing a urologist and receiving confirmation that her 9 mm calcium oxalate stone required removal. While small stones may pass with fluids, exercise and medication, larger ones often need minimally invasive ureteroscopy. After surgery and lifestyle changes, her symptoms have improved.