Cameras where the sun don’t shine

[fbhjr]

For many years I thought my grandfather died of throat cancer because of his pipe smoking. Only when in my 40’s did my mother’s sister tell me their father died of cancer of the other end.
As this makes me “high risk” for the same it was good to know. And, I’m glad to have accurate information.

As such, I’m supposed to have a screening every 3 years. That would have been 2021. They said “wait until Covid is over, that’s a bigger risk.”
In 2022 I reminded them of this and they said “make an appointment.”
So, in December 20222, yesterday (September 6th) was the first opening they had.

I went through all the preparation. I guess I stopped eating earlier than needed, but their instructions were not clear. Even they admit they’re bad.
“Two days before: at midnight stop eating solid food.”
So, Monday I didn’t have any solid food.
Apparently it meant I could have solid food up until 11:59PM Monday.
Ah well, they said less food didn’t hurt.

One of the notes I had from my last one was that they weren’t sure they searched everything because I was fat and had an unusually large colon. I guess I was one of their later appointments and they didn’t have time to search it all. (This is not what they said to me at the time. This is what I was told yesterday by the doctor reading the report. At the time I was told “you had some polyps, come back in 3 years”.)
So, I was scheduled to be the first one yesterday so if it took extra time, it would be available. Perhaps the doctor wasn’t aware of this as they showed up half an hour late…

The late doctor cause a lot of discussion between everyone in the section. People would come by and say “why isn’t he in the inspection room yet, he’s first?” and in hushed tones someone would say “the doctor hasn’t arrived yet”.
When the doctor did arrive there were some rapid responses in I was whisked into the room quickly and gave all my consent there.

There was also a great debate about socks. They have you put on these “no slip” socks. I have big feet. They don’t fit very well. The nurse got me bigger ones, but they were color coded for people who fall down a lot.
So, lots of discussion over if it was better to have socks that fit well or have everyone panic that the big guy was going to fall over and they wouldn’t be able to get him up.
Three nurses and two doctors became involved in this discussion.
I ended up with small socks.

I guess because I’m so fat, they decided to have their strongest orderly on hand to move me around as needed.
Curtis looked quite fit and had no issue moving me around at all.
At one point the doctor said “a bit more onto his left side” and Curtis lifted me up, spun me and put me back down without apparent effort. I was only half way into my “I can roll that way” when I found myself there.
It was quite strange for me as I am not easily moved.

I was out for at least the first part of the procedure, which is probably for the best.
I did wake up somewhere around half way through, facing the monitor. So, got a fairly good look at my innards as they searched back and forth and removed a few polyps.

Last time I had 7. This time I had 4. And, I was two years longer than had been suggested between visits, so they considered this a good sign.

Being awake as they moved the camera in and out and Curtis moved me back and forth was a very strange experience for me. And, not one I enjoyed.
I can not deny Curtis’ expertise at moving me, but it was like being tackled over and over again.
And, the camera, not my thing…

It was interesting to see what they were doing on the screen. I watched them take off two of the polyps. I hadn’t been awake of it in previous ones.

The good news is that they said I don’t have to come back for 5 more years.
That’s very good for me.
I hate taking that prep stuff. It doesn’t make me sick or anything like that. But, drinking it just feels wrong. It’s not food and my body knows it. It feels wrong going down and it just is very unpleasant to drink. And, given that you’ve got to drink about 4 liters of it, in two sessions of two, it is a lot of unpleasant.

Afterwards my wife took me to the International House of Pancakes as it was about the only breakfast place still going when I got out.
I was happy for solid food for the first time in several days.

Comments

[zoefruitcake]

I'm glad you had fewer this time, and that it is all over. You would think by now they would have developed better prep for this wouldn't you? Like take two pills and that'll do it

[fbhjr]

Actually the drink two very large drinks is better than the 5 different sessions it was the first time I went through it.
But, still not nice…

[jo]

And, given that you’ve got to drink about 4 liters of it, in two sessions of two, it is a lot of unpleasant.

My last colonoscopy was 5 years ago, and the prep was 3 laxative tablets two nights before (so when I went to bed the night before the day I had to fast/do the other prep), and then the next day, no food, only liquids (broth, gatorade, etc.) until late afternoon, when I then had to drink 2 liters of the peglyte mix. This time, it's the same but 4 liters, and in 3 sessions: 2 liters between 5:00 and 7:00, then one liter at 10:00 and the last liter at 11:00. I think that's what is freaking me out because I barely managed the 2L last time, and after the procedure, the doc told me I still had water/fluid in my bowels, like that was my fault somehow that my body didn't flush all the stuff. Now I have to drink twice as much? I'll do my best, but if I can only handle 3L that's all I'm doing. Not making myself sick over this.

[fbhjr]

The tough one for me was the second two liters “5 hours before”.
My appointment was 8AM.
So, I got up at 2:30 and got to work on it.
The night before would have been easier…

[palusbuteo]

I am glad your butt is in proper working order.

I'm not sure how well I would have done waking up in the middle of the procedure.

When I had surgery near that area, the first few times I was put under, another time I was "awake" but heavily sedated and could talk to the surgery team. That may have not been the best idea, as I was pretty incoherent and college aged so probably said/asked some really dumb stuff.

The medical profession really needs to get with the program to make the preparation procedure more "comfortable" for patients. You'd like to think that the medical people who have to go for their own checks and having to experience the process would maybe think "this is really awful, this must be awful for (my) patients, maybe I should do something about it"

I know. I'm being facetious.

[fbhjr]

I don't think there is much they can do to make "clean out the digestive tract" comfortable.
It just isn't. And, I doubt it will ever be.

[threemeninaboat]

As a fellow relative of someone who died from the down there cancer. I think they start you at 45 now? Not looking forward to this again.

I have had bowel surgery before so I guess I'm ready.

[fbhjr]

Don’t get me wrong, I think it is good to get tested.
I just don’t enjoy it.