Hurting place near rib?

Ok I have had this place under my left rib that has felt weird for about a month now. It feels squishy and painful when I touch it and it feels like it is either on my very bottom rib or just under it. When I work out with my team and do crunches it feels like my rib is stabbing into the area...I have rather large ribs and this hurts quite a bit. Finaly after a month today I have been able to semi-ignore it unless it just flairs up but today after countless crunches i touched it cause the area is swollen and cried it hurt worse than EVER....anyone know what on earth this could be!!!!!????? I'm starting to think a doctor visit is necessary but I am curious if anyone has any suggestions on what it could be in case it's not too serious andI can leave the doctor out of it????? THANX!!!!! :D