PCOS...confirmed

For the last week and a half I've been having pelvic pain and my doctor scheduled an ultrasound for tomorrow morning. I've been nervous about it but have stayed calm and took note of my symptoms. This morning at about 7:45 I started to get ready for the day and began to have excruciating pelvic pain. It started when I was going to the bathroom so I thought it might be gas so stayed there a bit hoping it would go away. It didn't. I then felt like I needed to stretch out my abdomen so I lay down on my bed, this didn't work either. I was crying and sobbing, hoping that eventually the pain would go away...it didn't. I slid off my bed into a kneeling position and prayed a simple prayer. I wanted the pain to go away enough for me to take care of Gweny who was beginning to wake up. I crawled (literally) to the bathroom and tried to go again. After that failed I hobbled to the phone and called Clint at work. Sobbing I tried to explain the pain...different than what I had been experiencing and across my whole lower abdomen and back. He immediately made preparations to come home and take me to the ER because I was unable at that point to do anything.

By the time he came home I was almost pain free. Shortly after talking to him I went and got Gweny and the pain began to subside. I felt dumb but we went to the ER because that is what my doctor told us to do if the pain got worse before the ultrasound appointment. The staff at American Fork Hospital were super. They took my vitals, gave me an IV, took my blood, made me pee in a cup (but maintain a full bladder for an ultrasound), gave me an external and internal ultrasound, explained the results and gave Gweny crayons and pictures to color all in two hours. It turns out my original diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), that I was given about 6.5 years ago based on symptoms, was accurate. The ER doctor said I had fluid in my pelvis due to a ruptured cyst. There is no way to tell how large that cyst was but those remaining on my right ovary (and probably the left one as well) are the size of grapes. Apparently this is not large in the world of ovarian cysts. He gave me a perscription for pain and sent me on my way.

Luckily it wasn't something more serious. I'm grateful for a proactive husband who takes me seriously and doesn't think I'm a whiney baby. I'm grateful that the pain (which is still present but is back to just slightly irritating) is not life threatening and that with proper care is manageable. I am grateful for friends and family who have shared their concern and kept me in their prayers, I know this helped. I plan on finding out more about PCOS and what I can do to alleviate symptoms, pain and generally improve my quality of life. If nothing else this experience taught me how precious life is and to not take it for granted. I plan on being around a long time and now that I know the diagnosis is manageable I can do exactly that.