Hit Me With Your Best Shot!

So far in my adult life I've probably been stuck with more needles than most people see in their lifetime, unless they are diabetic! Having to deal with infertility testing, treatment and then getting and staying pregnant, not to mention all of the blood draws to test this and that along the way... I'm very thankful I do not have a phobia of needles.

If you've been following my blog for a while, you know I've been struggling with a side pain that doctors have been unable to diagnose or treat. It started about three years ago and has gotten progressively worse. It feels like a horrible side stitch that has gone postal. It aches when I'm just sitting, but can be aggravated by sitting in a car or at my desk, but especially when running or skating. If I try to push through it, it intensifies and feels like a hot poker being stabbed into my right ribs and eventually almost "pops" and the hot pain will spread to my hip and back. Super fun!!

I've had blood tests (more needles... yay!), ultrasounds, x-rays, and other indepth tests to check for gallbladder issues, asthma/lung related issues and even spent about six months doing physical therapy and myofascial tissue release. Nothing worked, none of the tests resulted in a diagnosis and I've had docs just shrugging their shoulders and telling me they are stumped for the better part of three years.

After seeing the gastroenterologist on Monday and having him suggest I check in to nerve pain, my general doc referred me to a pain management specialist. I officially have an appointment. A week from today I will go to the doc's office and get a shot that will hopefully block the pain. Knowing me and my Google obsession, I had to look more into right rib nerve pain. I'm amazed at what I found, but how much it sounds like me. Plus, a detailed explanation of the shot they will give me and how it is done.

I'm honestly scared of a needle for the first time in my life!! Reality is, this is pretty much my last shot (no pun intended). If this doesn't work, I've pretty much hit a definite dead end. So, I guess I'm not really scared of the needle... well, yeah I am. They are going to stab a rather large needle in my side, or my back... I think I have a right to be a bit nervous about that. I'm just more afraid that it won't help and I'll be out of options!

Positive thoughts right!?!? I had such positive thoughts that I went onto the Grandma's Marathon website today and had the Great Grandma's Challenge (register for both the Friday night 5K & the Half Maraton and you are assured a bib for half on Saturday morning) and all the goodies in a basket ready to check out when The Hubby talked me down and suggested I wait just one more week for that shot and see where things are after that. I'll still have time to get my name in the lottery by that point. If I don't get in, then it just wasn't meant to be. I just want my body to give me the OPTION to run races again. If I don't get into that one, I'll definitely be signing up for a triathlon or two next summer if I this shot works.

Oh how I hate putting all of my eggs in one basket! *sigh*

I'll keep you all posted. I'll get the shot the morning we start our vacation, so I hope there aren't any awful side effects. The scheduler told me there are seldom any issues and that I will probably feel better after the shot. Oh I hope so!! This is going to be a long week of waiting!