Sunday, May 9, 2010

A Thorn in My Side

Hey Kids! Are you ready for a biology lesson? Here we go!!!

I've been having pain in my side for several months now, and only recently has it gotten to the point where some days it's unbearable. And by unbearable, I mean feeling like someone is stabbing me with a butcher knife and twisting it just for giggles. Is that descriptive enough? No? What about poking me with a searing hot skewer. Or scooping my insides out with a garden shovel. 

I think you get the picture.

I've seen several doctors, the most recent a gastroenterologist, and none of them can seem to tell me what it is exactly that's wrong with me. I've had ultrasounds, a CT scan, and blood work - all of which have come back with nothing conclusive. The GI doctor thinks that it's muscular, so he suggested to me a few weeks ago that I get a cortisone shot in hopes that it might help. God bless him for trying, but all it really did was FREAKING HURT and leave a really nasty bruise. Now he has me on anti-spasmatic (that's a mouthful, right? and also something that seems more appropriate for my off the wall kids) medication to help ease what he thinks is deep muscle pain. Well, it's not working either. My next step is laparoscopy and that is just not at all convenient at the moment.

What's a Mommy to do? I feel a little bit like how I felt after I had my c-section and wasn't supposed to lift or bend or cough the wrong way - how is a mother supposed to do that? I've kind of gone into a zen-like state while trying to manage my pain. I try to ignore it as best I can to get through the day (with a healthy dose of ibuprofen and a few visits with my heating pad), at least until surgery becomes either totally necessary or a bit more conducive to our schedules.

Have you ever been overwhelmed by pain (physical or emotional)? How did you manage?

*On a side note, I had a LOVELY Mother's Day thanks to my hubby who let me sleep in (PURE BLISS) and painstakingly painted all my patio furniture. I hope all you mommys out there had a great one too!

10 comments:

  1. Glad you had a nice Mother's Day. Sorry about the pain, hopefully something gets figured out soon.

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  2. I hope they figure out what's going on with you. That is miserable to be in chronic pain. I'll be thinking about you. Glad you had a good Mother's Day, and I'm glad we are both back to blogging. I look forward to catching up with you.

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  3. Oh Beth, I'm so sorry. I'm literally praying that God lines everything back up the way it should be or that he gives your doctor's the wisdom to pinpoint what's going on and prescribe what's really needed.

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  4. Beth, wow, I hope that eases up. I'll be praying. Glad your Mother's day was relaxing.

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  5. Beth...that bites. I'm so sorry for your pain. My sister has pancreantitis (I'm not even going to try to spell that right w/ this tired brain) and I've been through seasons of grief that have overwhelmed me.

    I will pray for you and I can certainly begin to see how pain like this can be so irritating and attention-grabbing. Your literal thorn in your side.

    ~ Wendy

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  6. Thank you all for your sweet comments and prayers! I can use all the prayer I can get!

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  7. Oh goodness, Beth. I can't imagine. I've been through debilitating migraines (like jabbing icepicks), but pain in the middle regions is no good. Take care!

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  8. Wow, look at all the prayers. I'll send one more. Liver? Spleen? Gallbladder? I guess it depends on which side. Maybe even cardiac. See, why waste your money on a doctor when you have really smart bloggers who can figure out all your health problems?

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  9. Hi Beth, I'm taking advantage of your side pain and tagging you. Over at my blog, but I had to add another post because my brain stinks and I forgot to tag 5 people.

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  10. Chronic Pain is so hard. I had chronic pain in my shoulder for months and it was so tough. My sister had luck managing her chronic pain with accupunture and meditation.

    Great blog! I've looked through your past posts and am so glad that you came back.

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