A woman was in pain for decades. A chance meeting helped her learn why.

Dawn Jemison endured pelvic pain since her teenage years, with pain levels intensifying over time. Despite multiple doctor visits and tests, she was given conflicting diagnoses, including endometriosis, anemia, and lupus. Some doctors even suggested she might be making her pain up or drug-seeking. Jemison's life revolved around managing the excruciating pain, which often woke her up at night.

In 2024, she opted for a hysterectomy, a drastic step she believed would provide relief. However, a chance meeting in 2025 proved to be a turning point in her journey. While working as a restaurant server, Jemison overheard a presentation about a patient whose symptoms closely resembled hers. The representative described how a stent placed in a pelvic vein had alleviated her patient's pain.

Intrigued, Jemison approached the healthcare professionals for more information and was connected with interventional cardiologist Dr. Abigail Qin-Nelson. After a series of tests, including a venogram that revealed blockages in her pelvic veins, Dr. Qin-Nelson diagnosed her with pelvic congestion syndrome. This condition occurs when blood flow through the veins is obstructed, leading to pain and swelling.

With the diagnosis confirmed, Dr. Qin-Nelson treated Jemison by placing stents in her veins, which reestablished proper blood flow. The procedure drastically improved Jemison's quality of life, eliminating almost all of her pain. A year post-treatment, Jemison described her daily pain level as zero, and she now enjoys activities she had previously avoided due to discomfort.

Dr. Qin-Nelson emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, stating that Jemison would still be suffering if she hadn't seen the right doctor.