Sigmoid Colon 1) Diverticulitis Flareup vs 2)Smoldering vs 3)Narrowed?

What I currently have going on is different and a mystery, so I'm interested if anyone has similar experiences. Seems it could be:

1) A Diverticulitis Flareup
2) Smoldering Diverticulitis (still not sure officially what that is) or
3) A narrowed sigmoid colon caused by repeated flareups (10-11 in 10 years).

My surgeon has decided it’s #3. It started 24Nov2025, 24 days before my now canceled sigmoid colectomy scheduled for 17Dec2025; Since 24Nov2025, 21 days, I’ve had:

A) 4 to 48 hour periods of low to medium diverticulitis-like aches in my usual lower-left-quadrant spot; mostly just when food or gas is or has recently processed through that spot.
B) No fever, chills or sensitivity to pressing on the area
C) No high white blood cell or other infection identifying lab results (blood draws last 3 days).
D) No inflammation showing on 2 CT scans (3Dec and 12Dec2025)
E) Bowel movements 10 of the last 14 and the last 6 days straight. (On Mirilax+softeners most days).
F) Similar 4 to 48 hour periods of feeling almost normal to completely normal.
G) An antibiotic shot then 10 days of Augmentin ending 8Dec2025 based solely on symptoms at the time.
H) IV antibiotics the last 2 days while hospitalized and monitoring diet and results (no change)
I) Low-Residue diet most of the 21 days, clear liquid for 2, IV for 1, full liquid for 1, and low-residue tonight as I transition home tomorrow.

The decision is that it isn't infected based on A through D above so it isn’t 1) or 2) above because if it’s diverticulitis it is infected by definition (IF “Smoldering” is defined as diverticulitis/infection). We’re moving forward with surgery on 7Jan2025, 23 days and a wakeup from tonight. I’ll be on low-residue diet and mirilax until surgery. She normally wants 6 weeks symptom free if possible, but it is what it is.

Anyone had this type of issue? I’ve only had flareups that feel like this for a couple days but then fever and pain spike, a CT scan confirms it, I get on antibiotics, and 10-14 days I’m back to normal. This one is weird for me.