What's Wrong With Me

Nice title, huh? As many of you know, I have been struggling for the past year with a pain in my abdomen. I've seen my doc several times, always with the same issue and we've not been able to figure it out. While searching for the problem, I found out last year that I have a little tumor in my pelvis, a bone cyst. But after 2 MRI's they figured out that it's benign and it's probably something I've had since I was a teenager and it wasn't what was causing my pain. Good to know, but frustrating.
So when July rolled around this year, I had a small (ok sort of big) meltdown to Kevin. It had been a year. A year of the same pain, off and on, but mostly on. And no one knew what was wrong with me. I haven't been able to work out because I was afraid of hurting worse and not being able to take care of my kids the way they deserve to be taken care of. Needless to say, my post baby belly is still there since having Ella. Sigh...Anyways, I went back to my doc, Dr. Tosca, who has been awesome and has listened to me and managed all the information from the different specialists I've seen and different tests I've had. He ordered some blood work to check for Celiac's disease and a bacteria in my stomach lining. Both came back negative. Then he ordered a CT scan of my stomach. I had one last year, but didn't have the contrast with it because I was nursing Ella and didn't want her to glow afterwards. :)
I had the CT scan on Tuesday this week. I was really nervous about the injected dye, but it went ok. Side story: Before they stuck me in the machine, the nurse checked my pants to make sure there wasn't any metal on them. Then she asked me, "How old are your kids?" I told her. Then she said, "Wow, they really stretched you out." I wish I was kidding. Geez, lady, have some tact! Anyways, I got the results of the scan yesterday.

Warning to any boys, fathers, or father-in-laws who may be reading this: I will be using the words uterus, ovaries, and pelvis. If any of these words make you squirm, go ahead and stop reading and know that I am fine. :O)

According to my doc, the scan showed that I have something called "Pelvic Congestion Syndrome." He said it's sort of a contraversial thing in the medical community as to whether or not it is a real condition. Lovely. Basically it is vericose veins in your pelvis, specifically the veins leading to the ovaries and uterus. My scan showed an enlarged or "congested" vein going from my kidney vein to my ovary on the right side. Exactly where the pain is. So he referred me to a specialist guy who is one of the best in the country when it comes to this problem. Luckily he works at St. Joe's hospital. I'm sure it will take a while to get in to see him, but I'm ok with that.

I can't even express how relieved I am just to know what is wrong. That has been the most frustrating part of this experience. And it's no one's fault, really. I guess it's pretty hard to diagnose. The bad part is, from what I've read on it, is that it can be just as difficult to treat.

So we'll see where the next step takes us. For now, I can live with the pain as long as I know what's causing it. I am so thankful for an attentive doctor who listened to me and followed through. I'm also thankful for my husband, for enduring my melt downs and frequent complaining. And lastly, I'm thankful for Ali, who stayed with me until I got the phone call yesterday depsite her tiny newborn needing a bottle. What a sweet friend.