And the Winner (We Think) Is . . .

Today I had an appointment with my OB/GYN, who, conveniently, used to work in a pelvic pain clinic. (I didn't know this until today, but praise to God for putting her in my life.) We discussed the recent history of the abdominal pain, and then she did a physical exam. I'll not give you too many details about that except to say that at the beginning, she had me to a half crunch while she pushed first on the left and then on the right side of my abdomen, and I got tears in my eyes, said "ow" too loudly, and about jumped off the exam table when she did it on the right side. Her opinion is that the pain is in my rectus muscle. She said it is a common occurence that could have happened at any time, even just while doing something like lifting/carrying a laundry basket. She said recovery time is a minimum of 6 weeks from today, and recommended icing it and taking ibuprofen. So, for now, that seems to be the deal. I do have a colonoscopy and EGD scheduled, and I'm going to ask my primary care doctor if she thinks I should go ahead and do those, plus consider if I really want to do them, if they would give me peace of mind just to know, (as much as any of us can, anyway,) that it really is the muscle.

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support. God is faithful, and He puts faithful people in our lives, which I can never be thankful enough for.

Update

I wish there was more to tell you, but the update on the abdominal pain is that it is most likely not: kidney stones, gall stones, an ovarian cyst, a tubal pregnancy, or anything, (like appendicitis,) that is causing my white count to be out of whack. I've had urine tests, blood tests, physical exams, and two ultrasounds, all of which have been normal. Yet, I continue to have pain.

So, this week I have an appointment when my OB/GYN to get a second opinion about what it could be. Also, after emailing my doctor today, she ordered a colonoscopy and an EGD, which will scope my stomach. Beyond that, I don't know, but we're going to figure it out. My doctor has been great in listening not only to what my physical symptoms are but how I feel about the whole thing, and has not made me feel like a hypochondriac.

The pain is less some days and worse on others. On Thursday and Friday I thought it might be gone, but even when it's barely there, I still have twinges. On other days, it is very definitely still there.

Thank you for your prayers and your thoughts. They help a lot in so many ways.

If You Would...

For those of you who we saw over the holidays, you know that I was having some abdominal pain. It's still there, and it is in my lower back, as well. I've been to the doctor, had some tests run, and have some ultrasounds scheduled for next week. The doctor thinks it's one of about 5 things: ovarian cysts, kidney stones, gall stones, scar tissue, or endometriosis. None are too serious, except for endometriosis, which can be, but isn't always. A remote possibility is appendix pain, but I'm not feverish or vomiting and my white count is normal. Scar tissue and endometriosis can only be definitely diagnosed by exploratory surgery, while the other things can be diagnosed by ultrasound and other tests.

If you would, please pray that we figure out what is causing this pain. It is interfering with my ability to do everything, including work, and I just want to know what is going on. This is the third time in a little over a year that I've had serious abdominal pain, and not only is it frustrating, it is a little scary, as well. (Just so you know, the doctor did say she is not concerned about cancer, because that would have shown up on the CT scan they did this past summer; however, I'm still a little scared.) I pray everyday that I'll be diagnosed correctly and that I'll trust God, no matter what.

Thanks.

Scholarships

I was in Best Buy this weekend, and I noticed a sign about a scholarship that teenagers could apply for through Best Buy. I read the sign and started thinking about when I was eligible for scholarships, the application process, etc. I remember how funny/strange I thought it was that when people donated money for a scholarship, they could specify the qualifications of who it went to, things like: "must be a descendant of Irish-Americans in Kansas" or "must be of Latin descent with an interest in pursuing photography as a career."

Anyway, I was thinking about this in Best Buy, and I thought, "Why don't adults get scholarships?" Scholarships apart from adults in school, I mean. Maybe the name would have to be changed from scholarships, (since that indicates school,) to "liferships" or "experienceships." (I'm not good at naming things - any suggestions?)

If I have a ton of money one day, perhaps I will invent on of these "ships," and I will dictate who it will go to. I can think of a million good reasons people might need a little extra money: pay off debt, go on vacation, get a massage, buy a new car, go see someone he/she loves . . . the list goes on and on.

A friend of mine in Houston used to take part in these groups, (I can't remember what they're called,) in which everyone put in a certain amount of money so many times per year, totaling up to some certain amount, and then they took turns getting the money. It made me nervous, but if you could depend on the people, wouldn't it be worth putting in X amount of money each time to get X amount of money once a year? Maybe not, but I think the spirit of what I mean may be there.