My husband and I were packing our home, surrounded by boxes and to-do lists, when I noticed a dull ache along my right side. I brushed it off at first. Moving is exhausting, and aches felt normal. My husband thought I’d strained a muscle, and I trusted that explanation. But days passed, and the discomfort lingered—not severe, just persistent enough to feel wrong.
Eventually, I went to urgent care, more out of caution than fear. The staff listened carefully, asked questions, and reassured me that many causes of abdominal pain are minor. Still, they recommended imaging to be safe. As I waited, I realized how easily we dismiss our body’s signals when life feels too busy to slow down.
The scan revealed the pain wasn’t what we’d assumed. It was an underlying condition—nothing alarming, but significant enough to need treatment. Most importantly, it explained why the pain hadn’t gone away. I felt relief, not fear. Catching it early meant it could be handled simply, without complications.
The experience changed how I think about strength. Being strong doesn’t mean pushing through discomfort or ignoring warning signs. It means knowing when to pause and listen. As we continued packing for our move, I carried more than boxes with me. I carried a renewed respect for my body and the reminder that my well-being deserves attention, even when life feels too busy to give it.
