My chain hang low

I still have nothing of consequence to report, though I did have some interesting images. Last week I had a barium swallow test to look for any obstructions or strictures in my bowels. Nothing showed up. They also took an xray, which showed a couple of interesting things. First, there is a mass in my abdomen (where the green arrow is). The radiologist doesn't know what it is, but was "guessing" food or medication. My primary doc doesn't like that answer, so she ordered a CT scan. (God bless her - I just threw all this at her today and she wasted no time trying to help me out.) There is also something that looks like a chain (see red arrow) when you zoom in (seen in the other image). All weekend I was positive that someone dropped their necklace in me when I had my TP-IAT. I went down to the hospital to talk to the radiologist today. Ends up that it IS a chain, but is there on purpose. It is called an anastomosis chain and it is linking loops of my bowel together. The radiologist said that it would not cause any pain, though I'm yet to be convinced since these 2 things are exactly where my pain is.

So, that's about it. I'm still waiting to hear from MN as to what their plan is. I was really hoping to get out there this year, but that's looking less likely every day. I still need everyone's thoughts and prayers, please. I'm still in a lot of pain and continue to get more discouraged every day. Please, God, let someone figure SOMETHING out!

My xray machine has a cupholder!

I'm sitting in the hospital having an upper GI and small bowel study. Nothing exciting, just drinking some barium. But...on the pre-exam xray, the radiologist saw an odd little blob right where my pain is. He had no idea what it was. After I drank the barium, you couldn't see it anymore. I don't know what that means - that it was just an artifact or that the barium blocked it out. I so hope it's real. I know that sounds awful, but having something to explain all this pain would mean I can do something about it! (And I'm not just a drug-seeking hypochondriac...) At the end of the test, he said the blob got smaller so was probably something more like food rather than a cyst or stone. He saw no obstructions or strictures or anything, so it sounds like another waste of time with no answers...   :-(

Otherwise, there's not a whole lot to report. Frankly, I feel like shit. I'm trying my very best to start living a semi-normal life and just accept that this is how I'm going to be. Most of it is mental anyway, I'm sure. I'm not going to give up looking for answers and relief, and I still really need all your prayers from that. It's so hard to stay positive when there's no end in sight.

Dr. Dunn has been amazing. She's been talking to my local docs, reviewing test results, and consulting with her colleagues to come up with a plan of action for me. I really need a hero right now and she's doing that. Louise has been just as wonderful - hammering down on doctors for charts and answers. I just wish it could all be faster!