By the time you read this, I’ll be fast asleep (with the help of some Versed) and undergoing a routine colonoscopy. I’m sure most of you have had this fun procedure. Actually, the worst part was the “prep” which I endured yesterday. Colon-rectal cancer is largely preventable if you have regular colonoscopies and have any pre-cancerous polyps removed. Early detection and treatment are the keys. And, you get to wake up to a kindly nurse. If you’d like to read about Dave Barry’s hilarious colonoscopy, click here. I plan to sleep off the Versed so if I don’t respond to your comment right away, please understand I need to be lucid (or something close to it) in order to respond. I should be fully recovered by tomorrow.
Had one last year, and you’re right; the prep is the worst part, though it’s not as bad if you use Gin as a mixer instead of water.
Oh, and the Doc said my colon looked prety good, for a colon, that is.
I’ll have to remember to add gin to the prep mix next time, Dan.
I must say none of the nurses at my colonoscopy looked like that! The worst part was definitely the prep. The actual procedure was simplicity itself and I have three years before I have to do it again. (Lucky Jackie got five years.)
Within half an hour of waking up I was able to eat brunch.
Take it easy, eat whatever you want afterwards!
I’m eating some high fiber steel cut oats right now, Jeff. More high fiber food is on my menu later today. Last time I had a colonoscopy it took a couple days for the plumbing to start working. I’m getting a faster start this time with lots of fiber.
We had ours two years ago. The scary one to read about is Donna Moore’s if you’re familiar with her blog. In UK, they don’t put you under but say, “lie there very quietly.”
Phil got ten years, Jeff. What has he being doing right. I only got five.
I have the doctor put me out, Patti. Of course, having sleep apnea means it doesn’t take much Versed to knock me out. Remind me never to have a colonoscopy in the UK.
“Lie there very quietly” – yikes!
I had two polyps is why. One was nothing, the other might possibly have grown into something over time. This guy is probably the best doctor we’ve ever had, period. I’d recommend him to anyone. He talks to you, he listens.
Great guy.
I’ve had polyps in the past, Jeff. But not this time. I wondering if my strategy of increased Vitamin-D3 and calcium is working…
My Dad had one last March, and he fully agrees that the prep part is the worst. The nurse, who looked nothing like the gal above, took an odd delight in showing me the colon photos.
Hope everything goes well for you, George.
Thanks for the good wishes, Drongo. I’m home and, as they say, “resting comfortably.” You should suggest that your Dad request my nurse.
I’ve had five or six of them over the years, George. In the old days you had to drink a gallon of water. Believe it or not the present routine is much easier, though still a drag. Hard to believe a new and better method hasn’t come along. Good luck with it.
This was my fourth colonoscopy, Ed. Each time, the prep has been different: different drugs at different times. The outcome is always the same. I have no problem with the actual procedure. They wheel me into the OR, they turn me on to my left side, and I wake up a half-hour later in the Recovery Room. That’s the easiest procedure I’ve ever encountered.
We’ve been on the high fiber diet (30-35 grams per day) since the colonoscopies and it has made a huge difference, George. I’m betting no polyps next time either. And yes, Calcium and Vitamin D have been increased.
One thing – even though we had to drink that junk we were able to mix it with lemonade rather than water so the taste was fine. There was just so much of it…
Diane and I are on a high fiber diet, too, Jeff. Salads every day, plenty of oatmeal and granola bars. But the increased Vitamin-D3 and calcium help a lot. My prep required me to take two Dulcolax tablets at 4 P.M. yesterday. Then at 6 P.M. I mixed a bottle of Miralax with 64 ounces of Gatoraid (I picked the blue one–no red or purple drinks allowed!). I had to drink an 8-ounce glass of that Miralax/Gatoraid mixture every 15 minutes. And the instructions ended with a friendly tip: “Stay near a bathroom.”
Five years for me. Thanks for the lemonade tip, Jeff. If I’d had a nurse that looked like that I’d get one every week. Hubba-hubba!
I can’t believe you guys don’t check the REQUEST HOT NURSE box on the Admissions forms, Bob.
And what good does checking that do me?
You would check the box for REQUEST DON DRAPER CLONE NURSE, Patti.
Hope all goes well for you, George!
I just woke up from a 4-hour nap, Beth. I feel great! Thanks for sending the Good Vibes my way.
George – Thanks for reminding me that I need to do this again. My nurses looked nothing like the one pictured, at least I don’t remember them being that way. Last time it was done on my birthday. people flinched but I told them I was giving myself the gift of good health for my birthday. Should be doing it again soon.
You have the Right Attitude, Scott! Plenty of people dread colonoscopies (actually, they dread “the prep”) and put them off. But this simple procedure is the best defense against mostly avoidable colon-rectal cancer.
Over the years, I’ve had several. I had one over the summer and when I left the facility a picture of the polyp that was removed was included in the paperwork! I thought to myself, “This is something I could really go my whole life without needing to see.”
Yes, the prep is ghastly–but I found this time it really helped to eat very lightly on the day prior to the prep.
I don’t look at the photos of my innards either, Deb. Too icky!
Doh! I knew there was something I forgot. The “check hot nurse” box.
Next time.
And Jackie should check the REQUEST FORMER NAVY S.E.A.L. NURSE box, Jeff.
I’m glad you’re through it and beginning to feel better, George.
I’ve not had one, but each doc visit he encourages me to do it, and I guess I will pretty soon. At 65, it’s about time, I guess. But the thought of… well, you know.
The risk of colon-rectal cancer is worse than “the prep” for a colonoscopy, Rick. Look what happened to poor Farrah Fawcett.
Either I go to the wrong places or hot nurses are a myth.
You go to the wrong places, Bob.
Ask Stilwell for a recomendation.
Rick, the procedure is nothing, it’s the prep that sucks.
Actually, this prep was better than the last three preps for me, Jeff. The Dulcolax and Miralax regimen was much gentler than the prescription stuff in the gallon jug that I drink before. That prescription stuff was harsh.