I decided today that it would be good to keep a journal. I’ve always been too embarrassed to do one before, but I want something to remember this time and maybe even give my children. I love my kids. I am so proud of them. And I love Don. He has been so good to me. I thank God for the love and support of my family. Mom and Dad love me so much and this is very hard on them.

Okay, so let’s start kinda somewhere near the beginning… For the last several months I’ve been complaining of gastric pain, constipation, bloating, etc. I’ve had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for years and just assumed that was causing the pain. As it continued to worsen or at least flare up, I started thinking it was gastritis or maybe an ulcer. It was beginning to affect my work. In August I tried over the counter Pepcid and some probiotics with some relief. I’d been on a mild stool softener for a year. only taking as needed.

In September, around the 10th or so, it got so bad I went to Seawind Medical Clinic. They decided to do an abdominal xray.  This showed a possible illeius so they put me on a liquid diet and scheduled an abdominal CT on monday (with and without contrast). This is when it all started. The CT showed a small soft tissue mass about 3.6cm x 2.5cm anterior to the aorta at the bifurcation (this is where the aorta splits at about the naval level and goes down both legs). At this point I went to see Dr. Wadhera for the first time. Nikki, a friend at work, was really concerned and recommended I see Dr. Finney one of our cardiovascular surgeons (he was never consulted on my case). Dr. Wadhera was not concerned initially, but after speaking with the radiologist, decided to consult Dr. Albibi G.I. and Dr. Morris General Surgeon.  Dr. Wadhera is very thorough but not quick to grab a knife.