live without pain

Am out of hospital now. The surgery went ok, but as for the diagnostic part of it… they could not find the source of the pain. Often with pelvic pain in women they just can’t. I might have to get to the point of giving up on this goal and accepting that this is just the way it is. Things could be far worse.

I did get this balloon while I was in there though… Bonus!

That surgery (partly diagnostic, partly corrective for a known problem) that I mentioned ages ago has finally come up. I’ll be in hospital in about 6 days time (the 13th Nov’). My birthday is the 22nd, so I don’t know how lively I’ll be for that… but that’s fine with me just this once, since I’ll just be happy this waiting game is over.

It’s probably only going to be a 20 minute procedure if all goes ok. They probably would have preferred me to be in and out the same day if I didn’t live a fair distance out of the city (travel wouldn’t be good afterwards).

Gosh I hope they find the pain something really simple that they can correct while they’re in there though. My money is on endometriosis, as it seems more like that all the time, even though none can be seen on scans. Not a great thing not have, but it’s better than anything more sinister.

I have been in constant pain since fairly early 2003, not really even a minute’s break. The pain was only on the right side of my lower abdomen for a long time, but is now on both sides and just worse on the right.

I do have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), but any medical professionals I have been to don’t seem to think that causes pain. They have done a lot of ultrasounds during this time, but although they can clearly see the signs of PCOS, they still can’t diagnose it the cause of pain.

I am now listed for exploratory surgery. I am on a waiting list as I can’t afford anything other than the public health system right now. I was told that I should be called up for surgery within 90 days of being put on the waiting list… but it is well beyond that now, and I’m still waiting.

It’s definately progressive because it gets worse all the time. It could be endometriosis, in which case they may be able to remove it a bit, unless it has attached itself to organs in which case they can’t touch it. Still, it could be anything.

I’m actually looking forward to this surgery now, because at least it will be a step in the right direction. I’m really hoping they find out it’s something that they can correct.