Why I almost cancelled my COLONOSCOPY!
I was recently having some gastrointestinal issues and my doctor recommended I have a colonoscopy.
I was always under the belief you didn't need the procedure until you were 50, but my doctor said because I had two uncles who died of colon cancer, I should probably get tested.
To say I was terrified was an understatement. I just assumed it must hurt really bad to have a scope with a light and a camera on the end of it...threaded...through, well such a private place. Still, I schedule the procedure, waking up several mornings before my appointment, reaching for the phone to cancel.
I would later ask around trying to find people who had undergone one and they all told me "piece of cake," its the prep the day before that's the tough part. You see you have to swallow two liters of this yukky stuff and you can't have anything to eat for 24 hours. In my case, I couldn't eat for a day and a half. But if it was going to reassure me that there were no cancerous polyps, I knew I had to go through with it.
The day came this week and I was brave enough to face my fear and go through with it...and even though I had some hysterical moments that could only happen to me...the procedure itself is a lifesaver.
I'm thankful there were no polyps found and I was given a clean bill of health.
I want to encourage anyone who needs one and you've been putting it off to call your doctor and get it done.
I was always under the belief you didn't need the procedure until you were 50, but my doctor said because I had two uncles who died of colon cancer, I should probably get tested.
To say I was terrified was an understatement. I just assumed it must hurt really bad to have a scope with a light and a camera on the end of it...threaded...through, well such a private place. Still, I schedule the procedure, waking up several mornings before my appointment, reaching for the phone to cancel.
I would later ask around trying to find people who had undergone one and they all told me "piece of cake," its the prep the day before that's the tough part. You see you have to swallow two liters of this yukky stuff and you can't have anything to eat for 24 hours. In my case, I couldn't eat for a day and a half. But if it was going to reassure me that there were no cancerous polyps, I knew I had to go through with it.
The day came this week and I was brave enough to face my fear and go through with it...and even though I had some hysterical moments that could only happen to me...the procedure itself is a lifesaver.
I'm thankful there were no polyps found and I was given a clean bill of health.
I want to encourage anyone who needs one and you've been putting it off to call your doctor and get it done.
Labels: colonoscopy
posted by Romona at
3:54 PM
7 Comments:
Romona -
I am so glad to hear that while you were afraid to get this very important test done, you went ahead and took a "big girl" pill and went through with it anyway. Even more important, you came through with it with a clean bill of health! I'm so glad to read that all is well.
Take care,
Laura
Thanks Laura,
I was so stressed, but I had excellent nurses who were so warm and friendly.
We're fortunate to live in a town with great hospitals!
Romona Robinson, I am so pound of you!!! I am 62 and I had my first one done when I was 40 years old and a breast momagram, all at the big 4-0. I encouraged my three daughters to have theirs done when they each turned 30.
My son who is the oldest(42) had to have his wife hold his hand when he got a colonoscopy and the other exam that men do. My daughter-in-law tease it to day about being such a big baby. ,I don't know why men has this thing about getting a test in those places, I won't mention cause I am sure you follow me. However,the last time I got mind done (5months ago)I had to swollow a light in my mouth down to my stomach, they found two small cyst,but its ok, I don't need it removed. The things we go though. I have a brother who had colon cancer five years ago, my dad has bone cancer at 75,he live to be 81: also I had a brother who had bone cancer who died from it. So I do what I have to do. GOD Bless you,mona!!!
p.s. my daughter who lives in MD, three years in a row walk for Avon- walking -for -a cure,she walked 26,22, 24 miles,it took her 6-8hours each time the last time it rained on her the whole 22 miles,she was ill the next day and had to go to the hospital she had this rash for six months on her skin. The color of from her clothes (the dye) got into her skin from all that rain.
from glennice
Romona Robinson, I am so pound of you!!! I am 62 and I had my first one done when I was 40 years old and a breast momagram, all at the big 4-0. I encouraged my three daughters to have theirs done when they each turned 30.
My son who is the oldest(42) had to have his wife hold his hand when he got a colonoscopy and the other exam that men do. My daughter-in-law tease it to day about being such a big baby. ,I don't know why men has this thing about getting a test in those places, I won't mention cause I am sure you follow me. However,the last time I got mind done (5months ago)I had to swollow a light in my mouth down to my stomach, they found two small cyst,but its ok, I don't need it removed. The things we go though. I have a brother who had colon cancer five years ago, my dad has bone cancer at 75,he live to be 81: also I had a brother who had bone cancer who died from it. So I do what I have to do. GOD Bless you,mona!!!
p.s. my daughter who lives in MD, three years in a row walk for Avon- walking -for -a cure,she walked 26,22, 24 miles,it took her 6-8hours each time the last time it rained on her the whole 22 miles,she was ill the next day and had to go to the hospital she had this rash for six months on her skin. The color of from her clothes (the dye) got into her skin from all that rain.
from glennice
Hi Glennice,
Thanks so much for your story.
You are such a courageous woman inspirational too!
You have indured a lot and its nice to can share your story with others. I hope you speaking out encourages others to not put off such an important exam.
My husband has still not gotten a colonoscopy. I told him I'm making the appointment in December and he's going through with it!
Thanks for checking out my blog.
Hi Romona,
Thank you for your honesty about the dreaded colonoscopy.
When I had mine I could not be medicated. Talk about fear!
It wasn't that bad thanks to lamaze breathing techniques. The prep was indeed the worst of it.
Be well,
Deb
Hi Deb,
I can't even imagine no medication...especially since I started moaning and groaning midway throught my procedure. I could feel the probe slightly...they had to inject me with more medication!
Sorry, was that way too much information?
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