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A woman was in pain for decades. A surprise meeting helped her learn why.
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- Dawn Jemison experienced chronic pelvic pain from age 11, enduring decades of misdiagnoses and ineffective treatments, including suggestions that her pain was psychological or drug-seeking behavior.
- In December 2024, Jemison planned a hysterectomy as a last resort, but a chance encounter with healthcare professionals in January 2025 led her to consult interventional cardiologist Dr. Abigail Qin-Nelson about pelvic congestion syndrome.
- Diagnostic imaging revealed significant blockages in Jemison's iliac vein, causing her symptoms; she underwent stent placement and vein cauterization procedures that successfully restored blood flow and alleviated her pain.
- A year after treatment, Jemison reports complete relief from daily pain and a significant improvement in quality of life, crediting the diagnosis and intervention as life-changing and preventing an unnecessary hysterectomy.
