"I feel like I'm on an episode of House."

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Night 1: 5.1.17

       "Holy crap the pain is terrible." I told my husband Ian over dinner. Stomach pain was a normal in my life, so I didn't usually voice it, but it had never been this bad. It felt like someone was stabbing me in the abdomen over and over and the time between episodes was quickly reducing. I remember thinking that this is what contractions must feel like. Spoiler Alert: there was a growth in my body...just not the welcomed kind. I had more symptoms than just pain, but we'll get to that later.
        Ian was quietly freaking out. He knew that he couldn't help me, or make me go to the ER. I can bestubborn. The pain always went away, so I had no reason to think this time would be any different. However, at 2am when the pain was still very real I knew something was seriously wrong. Still, I wanted to wait. I tried to lay as still as possible since sleep wasn't an option and tried to let my hubs get some sleep.

 Day 1: 5.2.17

      At 6am my alarm went off and I got ready for work. Yeah, I know. But, at my old job I would have absolutely had to go in until I could get my shift covered. I was clearly still in that frame of mind. After I got up and dressed I went to use the bathroom. I had gone twice during the night, but with the light off. I was surprised and confused to see blood in the toilet. I thought to myself that I must have gotten my period. But, that wasn't the case at all. After, I used the bathroom I noticed blood in my stool. A lot of it. That's when I decided I probably shouldn't go to work. I didn't turn to google (that is ALWAYS a terrible idea), but called my boss and stepmom Hollie who both told me to go straight to the ER. At this point Ian was already at work, so I went and woke up my very good friend and roommate David. He was also mad I waited until morning.
         Happy Tuesday to us! Spent the day going from test to test and saw 3 different doctors. By the end of the day, they still had no clue why I was in so much pain, but decided I needed a colonoscopy. I was admitted. I was scared. I was confused and frustrated.

Side note: My insurance from my work kicked in on 5/1/17.

Day 2: 5.3.17

      I was told that it was probably colitis.  Colitis refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. All my symptoms lined up with it, so it made sense at least. Prepping for the colonoscopy was pretty terrible because I was still in a lot of pain. I did feel a lot of relief after I was finished though. They took me down for the test and I remember crying out in pain as the nurse rolled me onto my side right before I went under.

                                                             To be Continued...


Location: Roanoke, VA, USA

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