Yes, that “CONGRATS YOU HAVE GRADUATED FROM COLONOSCOPIES!” was the highlight of my PROCEDURE SUMMARY after my colonoscopy.
Last November 2025, at my annual physical, my doctor noted, “You’re due for a colonoscopy.” So I called my gastro guy (who had done the previous three colonoscopies) and talked to his scheduling nurse. “I’d like to book a colonoscopy appointment, but not during the Christmas and New Year’s season.” She laughed and said, “Our earliest date is May 10, 2026.”
So I took it. But in February 2026, I got a letter saying: “We have to reschedule your colonoscopy appointment. The doctor will be out of town.” So I called again and was told, “Our earliest opening is May 14, 2026.” So I took it.
Before I knew it, it was May 13 and I was taking 2 Dulcolax tablets and drinking a mixture of 64 ounces of Gatorade and 238 grams of MiraLAX. Self-induced Diarrhea is No Fun!
Diane and I got up at 5:45 AM the next morning and I drove to Sisters Hospital. We checked in at 7:00 AM and by 7:15 I was ushered into the Colonoscopy Suite. After my nurse, Megan, checked my vitals, I was gowned up and taken to the Operating Room. A nurse hooked me up to an IV and as soon as the Versed hit, I was unconscious. I woke up in the Recovery Area and before I knew it, I was dressed and wheel-chaired out to Diane’s waiting vehicle. I came home, had some toast and coffee and went back to sleep.
I have recovered and I’m happy that I have a No Colonoscopy Future! What’s your colonoscopy situation?
Can’t say I’m looking forward to my second decadal event thus, but it’s About Time. Of course, I tend to drink about a drum barrell of the likes of sugarless beverage in a given day, anyway, so that isn’t the trying part.
Congratulations for “graduation” from that rittual!
“Rittual”? Grittual, with extra T.
Todd, I’m hoping more non-evasive cancer tests emerge in the years ahead. Diane is opting for Cologuard.
https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/link-diet-colorectal-cancer —my not drinking alc and not eating meat helps. And there is a potential move to Every 15 years for the exam…just in time for you to Not Benefit! (And our women friends apparently have even less fun with this than men do, on average…the joys of aging generally, plus more fun.) My result was given as “Clean as a whistle” the first time…leaving open concerns for the gastroenterologist’s whistles.
Todd, we all hope for a “clean as a whistle” result.
Congratulations! I was all clear last time (last year), so they told me my next colonoscopy would be in 10 years. I’ll be 78 by then…if I (or our world) make it that long 😆.
The prep is awful, but I do find that eating light for a few days before the prep helps it not be so terrible.
Deb, I followed your regimen in eating light a few days before my Prep Day and it worked. This time around, the Versed hangover lasted longer. I’m not fond on Brain Fog…
Yay for George! I knew you would get there in the end.
Jerry, I meet with my internist next week for the formal results, but I’m glad I’ve graduated from this phase of cancer testing.
Nice one. Will make sure in August, but I’m hoping I’ll get a pass. Otherwise, Jackie is going to lobby for Cologuard rather than suffer through the prep again. (She’s had a much tougher time than me on previous occasions. )
Jeff, Diane has had the same problems Jackie has with colonoscopies so Diane is opting for Cologuard, too. Her doctor told her that Cologuard is 95% accurate.
My Dad died from colon cancer, so I started colonoscopies every 5 years starting in 2003. By far the worst part of the procedure is the prep!
Fred, the colonoscopy prep is the worst! The actual procedure…I’m unconscious for that…
Google “Dave Barry colonoscopy” for a brilliant and funny column.
Jeff, Dave Barry’s colonoscopy was funnier than mine!
I’m done with them!
Bob, congratulations!