So then I’m crazy. No I’m not.

I finally got the results of the abdominal CT scan back yesterday, and everything is perfectly normal. No tumors or lesions or exploding organs. Absolutely nothing to worry about. The doctor’s office agreed that as long as it doesn’t get worse or I don’t run a fever, there’s no need to be concerned about the mysterious bruise-like pain in my abdomen. No biggie.

So then I must be crazy. No doctor can come up with a solid theory to explain it, and there is physical proof that there really isn’t anything there. Oooh, the Mystery of the Phantom Bruise. Scooby Doo, where are you?

I finally went to the Pituitary Network site and posted my situation on their user forums. In no time at all, I had gotten this response from Christina:

Yes! I had my surgery almost 3 weeks ago and I had a sore spot in my abdomen as well. I felt like I had done way too many sit ups with just one ab muscle. It lasted for a couple of weeks then just went away. I too suffered from gastro problems partially I think from the blood and stuff draining down from my nose into my stomach. That too has gone away. I know my docs put me on a stool softener to help things move a little easier. I drank lots of water and ate dry absorbant foods like rice, bread and crackers. I hope this helps. Feel better soon!
Christina Posts: 38   Extended User Info:	Re: Gut issues afterwards? 3/13/2007 4:43:17 PM
	Oh, one more thing. I failed to mention that my doctors said something to me about being in a somewhat strange sitting position during the surgery where I was sitting up and leaning to one side a bit. I am sure that it would account for the soreness. Think about how bad a neck can cramp if you sleep wrong for just a little while. Take care.

So, AHA! I’m NOT crazy! It seems that issue does arise from the procedure itself, whether it’s a surgeon leaning on me or possibly just how they sit and twist the patient a bit. It makes sense that some poor abdominal muscle might bear the brunt of the experience and then complain about it for a while. I find it odd that this appeared so unusual to my doctors, as you’d think they would have heard complaints from at least several other patients by now. I can only assume that this is a rare side effect from the surgery, or that maybe other people just don’t complain about it. Regardless, it’s comforting to know that I wasn’t alone in this part of the experience.

At this point, Velma pulls the mask off of Dr. Wilson, who turns out to be Old Man Witherspoon, who was intent on keeping me guessing about the origins of this Phantom Bruise. He proceeds to explain that he would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn’t been for these meddling kids. We all laugh as Scooby licks the barium milkshake off his face.

I’ve been at work essentially full-time this week. I have the luxury of setting my own hours, so it’s been more like 6 or 7 hour days, but it still feels like a whole day. And so far, the effect has been less exhaustion and more of a tired-because-I-worked-out feeling, even though I’ve just been sitting at a desk. But I definitely see this as significant progress – no complaints.

The final stitch in my lip disappeared sometime this past weekend. Most of the stitches were gone by a couple weeks after the surgery, but that one stubborn one held on for about 3 weeks or so. Just a bit of fascinating recovery trivia, there.

And finally I have this HUGE list of thank you’s to get sent out. As I mentioned before, so many people have supported us in so many ways, I just can’t let them go un-thanked. I’ll figure out a good time to do that soon. Maybe right after I write the ones still unsent from my January birthday…