For those of you who think you know more about my rump than you want to know, stop reading here and either click on the photo and enjoy the beautiful sunset (from yesterday evening) or just wait for my next post.
Okay, disclaimers out of the way, let me go on the record to say that the colonoscopy was fine. The only glitch was that after the nurse complimented me on my wonderful veins, she put in an IV that leaked and had to redo it. It bothered her a lot more than it bothered me, possibly because I adored this motherly nurse (she’s 2 years from retirement). She kept going on and on about how I don’t look 50. Heck, I’d let her give me half a dozen IVs. The only discomfort was what occurred in my brain when she told me, “for your size, they’ll go in about four and a half feet.” I said something like, “wow.” Then I was led into the exam room, leashed to an IV. There, they put a blood pressure cuff and heart monitors on. I must have been worried, for my blood pressure when sitting had been 118/76 and it jumped to 127/82 when I was lying on the exam table (I should have gone down). The doctor came in and was cracking some jokes as he pulled on his latex gloves. The nurse put something into the IV port and asked me to roll over onto my left side and that was it. The next think I knew, one of the nurses said something about it being done and all looking good (I’m sure that’s only a matter of comparison). There were no polyps so unless something unforeseen happens, I don’t have to have another colonoscopy for 10 years. They gave me some juice and a sandwich which only slightly satisfied my hunger. We stopped at Burger King (I normally wouldn’t have chosen fast food, but after nearly 40 hours of not eating, I didn’t care what it was, I wanted something to eat fast—I didn’t even want it my way). Then I came home and slept the afternoon away (sorry Murf, no posts while stoned). I now feel fine, but will be back in the bed soon. Thanks to all you who expressed concern. It really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be; however, it’s still not a pleasant thought to have something stuck that far up your butt. End of story.
Okay, disclaimers out of the way, let me go on the record to say that the colonoscopy was fine. The only glitch was that after the nurse complimented me on my wonderful veins, she put in an IV that leaked and had to redo it. It bothered her a lot more than it bothered me, possibly because I adored this motherly nurse (she’s 2 years from retirement). She kept going on and on about how I don’t look 50. Heck, I’d let her give me half a dozen IVs. The only discomfort was what occurred in my brain when she told me, “for your size, they’ll go in about four and a half feet.” I said something like, “wow.” Then I was led into the exam room, leashed to an IV. There, they put a blood pressure cuff and heart monitors on. I must have been worried, for my blood pressure when sitting had been 118/76 and it jumped to 127/82 when I was lying on the exam table (I should have gone down). The doctor came in and was cracking some jokes as he pulled on his latex gloves. The nurse put something into the IV port and asked me to roll over onto my left side and that was it. The next think I knew, one of the nurses said something about it being done and all looking good (I’m sure that’s only a matter of comparison). There were no polyps so unless something unforeseen happens, I don’t have to have another colonoscopy for 10 years. They gave me some juice and a sandwich which only slightly satisfied my hunger. We stopped at Burger King (I normally wouldn’t have chosen fast food, but after nearly 40 hours of not eating, I didn’t care what it was, I wanted something to eat fast—I didn’t even want it my way). Then I came home and slept the afternoon away (sorry Murf, no posts while stoned). I now feel fine, but will be back in the bed soon. Thanks to all you who expressed concern. It really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be; however, it’s still not a pleasant thought to have something stuck that far up your butt. End of story.
For those wanting more drama, go over and read about Ed Abbey's "deep cleaning" at the dentist yesterday.
Glad to hear you're doing well. I hope you're recovering swiftly, if not fully recovered already. And even though I'm a good number of years away from this operation, I'm glad to hear it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be.
ReplyDeleteAnd after fasting for nearly 40 hours, I hope you treat yourself to your favorite dish soon.
Honest, it is good to share this stuff - it takes some of the fear away for those of us facing this in the future. And I had a friend with a ruptured colon that could have been anticipated had she had (but she was not yet 50) a colonoscopy. (She's fine now btw)
ReplyDeleteAll is well that ends well. Get up refreshed and more postings.
ReplyDeleteI did not tell you this before. A lady that had been volunteering with me at the Clothes Closet had a colonoscopy done 2 weeks ago. I saw her that Thursday, she went in on Friday. Hospital sent her home to her daughter's (who lived nearby). She hemorraged. The Doc knicked her colon or intestine...something in there. She was in critical condition for 3 days and they didn't know if she would live. She is recovering but still weak.
ReplyDeleteApparently you sign something beforehand warning you of possible risks? You think this thing is so easy but it is a risky procedure.
I am really happy you are okay. I held my breath!
And I wish you'd have posted something stoned!
I definitely would have traded you procedures.
ReplyDeleteV, I didn't eat much yesterday. BK in the afternoon and a banana between my nap and bed--I really wasn't very hungry after I woke up. I'll make up for it today.
ReplyDeleteDiane, glad to hear your friend is doing okay
Gautami, I started to use that like from Shakespeare--but cut it short (it seems to go so natural to add the "that ends well")
Deana, thanks for your concern, sorry to hear about your friend, even the smallest operation carries risk
Ed, I'm heading your way to read about your dentist visit!
How anticlimactic!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I can't believe that this doctor is a person that you see on the street. How will you face him again with your clothes on? :-)
good on ya for getting it done! yea for not needing another for 10 years!!! woohooo!
ReplyDeletebtw, michele sent me :D
(I'm glad it wasn't just me having difficulty with Michele's site!). I have heard good things about Carter's book. I will check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteGlad it all went well, Sage! I hope you thoroughly enjoyed whatever you got at BK. Geez - 40 hours!
ReplyDeleteI can't help but think that your wonderfully worded description of this experience has motivated others to get off the couch and schedule their own scans. In doing so, you've saved lives.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great 50th birthday gift to me! I'm impressed and proud, and very very glad you're OK.
May all your milestones be similarly healthy, and may you have many more beautiful sunrises to share.
My experience was much like yours. The prep was the worst part of it. Like you, I remember laying on my side and nothing else until I woke up. Glad to hear everything went and looks well!
ReplyDeleteJust a random comment...that sunset, that is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt's just impossible to resist a good "rump post", or maybe it's a rump roast that's hard to resist. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteThey put one of those periscopes up my toocus last August, Sage. It's an interesting experience. Didn't bother me too much except when they make the turns. It's very uncomfortable feeling that tube bumping into the sides like that. The doctor even went a little ways into the small intestine so I could see how much different it looked from the large bowel. Oddly enough, I wasn't hungry for hours afterward but I had so much gas inside it really hurt for a few hours. Medicine and doctors--what a racket. LOL
Michele sent me over, Sage.
They gave you a sandwich and a drink? I'm gonna have to tell my doc about that. He's not up to snuff!
ReplyDeleteGlad everything went well Sage! Th good meds always make everything just a little bit brighter...and blurrier...and the colors are usually pretty coo.:)
ReplyDeleteMan 4 1/2 feet. Yep, that's a beautiful sunset.
ReplyDeleteThe sunset is gorgeous, and the colonoscopy tale not too gruesome :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on not needing another for a decade
you're brave!
ReplyDeleteI know I've got to do it, but I'm dreading the whole process. It's not the procedure itself that scares me... it's the prep. I HATE having any kind of stomach issues and the thought of volunteering for it ... yeech. Glad all went well with yours.
ReplyDeleteHere via michele today!
Good for you Sage! I had my first one at 40 because of family history, and they knocked me out, too. I think that they slipped me a little extra good stuff, though, because I had a major panic attack beforehand. When they asked me what they could do, I yelled "SEDATE ME!" Once they did, it was all she wrote til I woke up in the recovery room, clean as a whistle. I won't be so nervous when I go back in 4 years.
ReplyDeleteAre all the doctors wise cracking?
ReplyDeleteThey didn't feed me,I had to find food on my own.
The only bad part for me was no food before. I eat all the time.