Colonoscopy - what do you know?

I'll be out of action in the am for a few hours for my annual check-up. (no driving for 24 hours)

Just went through a colonoscopy a couple of weeks ago. No biggie, although the prep is literally a pain in the butt. Four years ago, they found a few benign polyps. This time a few more. Now the MD wants me to have a colonoscopy every three years.

Benign polyps can turn into malignant ones over time. Both my paternal grandparents died of colon cancer, so I don't fool around with it. The thing about colon cancer, is if it is caught early, it is nearly 100% curable. Once it spreads, you have about two years to live. The idea is to remove the polyps BEFORE they become cancerous.

Many people are leery about colonoscopies on account of embarrassment. I have known people who sickened and died from colon cancer. Believe me, it ain't pretty. Better embarrassed than dead!

Well Phoenix - I have to get one every year - I'm becoming an expert against my will so right now you can guess - I'm drinking, well I'm to the point of not liking the taste anylonger.

I just put the Phospho-Soda in some cool water, and glug it down all at once. I try not to breathe when I am doing it, so it goes down easier!

When I was updating my D.O.T. (commercial driver lis.) physical today that doc said to use a straw from the get-go! It goes down faster and doen't taste so bad.

Husker- I do everything quickly. I pull bandages off quickly, and I chug-a-lug nasty stuff fast. Straws would slow things down for me.

Haven't had one, know what they're about. Been privileged to take my Dad to his and my best friend, Cindy, to hers. Only cuz I was able to make fun of both of them when they came out of the anesthesia.

You'll be in my thoughts tomorrow, husker.

KM

Rae

Rae- Bet your dad didn't sing the Mickey Mouse Club song when he was coming out of the anaesthesia, like I did!

I go very lightly on the anesthesia - little as possible.

Nope, he didn't ~ you're right.....

I did a very bad thing after my Dad's procedure......

We went to IHOP for breakfast (his favorite). Went to the library to 'rent' some really, really old movies, stopped at the grocery store and bought light beer and some Guinness Stout. Even though the doctor clearly said 'no alcohol'.

Absolute best weekend I've ever spent with my Dad.

Rae- I lived on Jello for two days afterwards although the MD said that I could eat a regular dinner. I had lost a few pounds from the pre-procedure liquid diet, and figured that I would like to continue for awhile!

it is kinda cool when yer all cleaned out - sort of speak

husker- It does feel good- Also, my nose was much better. Probably 'cause I wasn't eating anything that was causing allergies!

Colonoscopies, you bet! I have ulcerative colitis, so it's a routine test I require once a year, as colon cancer is a side effect that I can expect to develop at some point. It's become so routine that I have it without any meds and drive myself home afterwards.

For me, the worst part is definitely the prep. A gallon of Golytely, forget about it. The 10 oz. of magnesium citrate come back up too. Last time I tried the phospho soda again, kept the first bottle down for an hour before I lost it. I didn't even attempt the second.

Ahem.....Dad and I didn't exactly follow doctor's orders.

Dad has to have the procedure again this year ~ he's already requested my presence.

I love my Dad.

husker, do you watch the procedure on a TV screen?

Golytely - got 3/4 down

3/4 down, wow, I'm impressed.

mckenzie- What is this Golytely stuff? Good grief. A gallon. All I needed to take was 1 1/2 oz. of Fleet's Phospho Soda in the afternoon, and another 1 1/2 oz in the evening. Then I had to drink lots of water. The Fleet's was enough to get rid of EVERYTHING!