Dawn Jemison, a 43-year-old from Fort Wayne, Indiana, has dealt with chronic pelvic pain since she was 11 years old. At first, the pain was dismissed as a normal part of puberty, but by her late teens, it became a recurring issue, occurring multiple days each month. In her 20s, she was diagnosed with anemia and lupus, but these conditions did not explain the severe, stabbing pain she experienced, which often spread from her ribcage to her pelvis, or the swelling in her legs. Over the next two decades, Jemison visited numerous doctors and underwent dozens of tests and procedures. Some suggested endometriosis and recommended birth control, which did not help. Others even suggested having a baby to "regulate" her system. Some doctors doubted the severity of her symptoms, suggesting it might be psychological or that she was seeking pain medication. In December 2024, Jemison decided to ask her doctor about a hysterectomy, a procedure that removes the entire reproductive system. She felt it was her last option after years of unexplained pain and frustration. However, in January 2025, a chance encounter at her job as a restaurant server changed her path. While serving a group of healthcare professionals, Jemison heard a presentation that included a case study of a patient with symptoms very similar to her own. A representative mentioned that a stent placed in a pelvic vein had helped that patient. Intrigued, Jemison approached the team after the event. Interventional cardiologist Dr. Abigail Qin-Nelson offered to meet with her the following week, and Jemison called off her planned hysterectomy. Qin-Nelson suspected Jemison might have pelvic congestion syndrome, a condition where blood flows normally through arteries but faces blockages or compression in the veins, preventing it from returning to the heart. This can cause blood to pool in the pelvic area, leading to pain and swelling. The condition is poorly understood, and diagnosing it is challenging because it is considered rare and often mistaken for other issues. To confirm the diagnosis, Qin-Nelson performed a venogram, an imaging test that examined Jemison’s veins. The test revealed significant blockages in her iliac vein, which carries blood from the legs and pelvic organs to the heart. One section was 76% compressed, and another had a 52% blockage. The test took over two hours, much longer than usual, but it provided the first clear answers Jemison had ever received about her condition. After confirming the diagnosis, Qin-Nelson treated Jemison by placing two stents in the affected veins using a catheter. The stents restored normal blood flow, and the procedure was described by Jemison as a “game changer.” The discomfort from the surgery lasted only a few days. A follow-up procedure was also performed to cauterize some veins that had formed as alternative pathways, which were no longer needed after the stenting. Jemison said the treatment completely changed her life. A year after the procedures, she reports no daily pain and plans to continue regular check-ups to ensure the condition does not return.