And then throughout that family time, I was sick one day (so sick- loose five pounds I throw up so much sick), and then the last full day my parents were in town*, I was prepping for a colonoscopy. Wait- you might ask- am I reading an old lady's blog... only old people have those...
Nope friends, not just old people (though my Dad who is 63 and I had our first ones a month apart!) have colonoscopies. When I was 24, I went to the ER with horrible pain right under my ribs.... a hospital admittance, Red Cross message (my husband was deployed), a colonoscopy, and 4 days in a small room, I left the hospital with a polyp removed, that was pre-cancerous. That doesn't sound like such a big deal, except most 24 year olds don't have that particular procedure done... it usually starts at 50.... and any polyp will eventually turn into cancer... so had I waited 26 years for my first scan... well- things just wouldn't have added up.
My scan was fine (though the prep sucked...), but this doctor wants me back in another year. I was doped up on so much stuff, I couldn't remember the conversation**, however when my husband told me about it again about 8 pm last night, it resulted in HYSTARICAL tears... I hate the prep... It sucks...
However, a good friend reminded me that though it's not so fun, it's my way of fighting back against cancer. For those of you that know me personally, this is a small passion of mine. Ever spring, my husband looses me for about a month as we prep for Relay For Life, the American Cancer Societies flagship fundraiser. For those of you that don't know about Relay For Life, or what the American Cancer Society, click the links to find out more!
* Yes, on the last day they were in town, I got to eat breakfast, then was on a clear liquid diet (as they went out to lunch at a yummy pizza place, toured a chocolate factory (complete with samples and chocolate cupcakes), AND went out to Zio's (one of my favorite restaurants).... and I got to drink sweet tea, sprite and chicken broth...)
**So, they didn't knock me all the way out, it was an 'unconscious procedure' or something like that. The used versed, which I guess makes you not remember... the procedure... or getting dressed... or the ride home... or the voice mails (from numbers you didn't know) you deleted (so you don't know who called you and left those voice mails)... or the emails you sent... or the TWELVE people you called...
The first thing you remember is waking up in your bed that evening, with a waterbottle, and a plate with gummie bears and M&M's on it (WTF?).
Oh dear. Now you have me all freaked out. I have my first one in a week. I have to have both a colonoscopy and a G.I. endoscopy (or something like that).
ReplyDeleteI had my first colonoscopy at age 21. I felt VERY out of place when everyone else at the GI doctor was 50+. They had feared I had polyps as well, but it turns out I have UC/Crohns. Either way it's a pain in the butt ( pun intended ) Cheers to the doctor though that found it early! & The preps get easier - use a dvd player and watch movies :)
ReplyDeleteLike the poster above me, I had a colonoscopy at 21 and definitely don't want to have one again till I'm older. I think the worst part was still being "awake" during the procedure...I was not a fan of that.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I'm a casting director looking for military wives/families/ to participate in a reality series sponsored by the USO. If you're at all interested you can email me at roadtoreunioncasting@gmail.com or just submit to www.roadtoreunion.com I hope to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Chris
I feel your pain. I had my first colonoscopy in the 3rd grade and then every 3 years following. Prep totally sucks. But it's better as an adult than as a child...back in the day I couldn't eat solids for 3 days...now it's only 24 hours or something. And unfortunately I remember EVERYTHING even though I shouldn't. I glad they found the polyp and hopefully will be able to stay on top of it now!
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