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digitS'

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Yeah, you know. Those tests.

Sure, no one wants to talk about them. T M I !!! Well, I've been through 6 or so of them. "See you in 5 years!" The proctologist said as I sat, fully clothed, with my feet dangling off the bed.

My brother must be one of those who doesn't like to talk about it. I think it was the second time that I was in for a colonoscopy and it hadn't been even 5 years since the first ... or second ... I don't know. They always come too soon :hide ! Anyway, as soon as the MD learned that my brother had been through colon cancer, I was in trouble. With a capital "T"

He is still around, over 20 years later. Me too ... after 7 or 8 of those tests. DW went through one a couple of weeks ago. I tried to help her with her diet and such, in the days preceding. Funny (not funny) how they differed ... except for that all-liquid one, day before. I'm never gonna buy that brand of chicken broth again!

DW started the diet change 5 days before. I had to start 7 days out. Except I didn't, I was driving Dad around and he wanted a BLT and I forgot, and joined him. Of course, it would have been okay if I'd ordered a little something different at the diner. You'd think after 8 or 10 of those tests, I'd remember. The first few days, I told DW that I was really just eating like most Americans. White Bread! Who cares!?? There's nothing to it!!!

Yeah, I was getting a little cranky after awhile. Maybe that was noticeable on TEG. Right now, I'm thinking about taking a Tylenol ... Oh everybody was nice to me at the clinic, beginning days before when I went in because I really can't conduct business over the phone. Efficiency! Yeah. Probably because they would like to get through their day, be done with it, but they do seem to appreciate some of the patient interaction.

I didn't even know when the knockout med was shot into the tube. The anesthesiologist had just mentioned the topic of what was on my lunch menu and I'd said that the nurse had suggested tea and crumpets but I didn't get to expand on that ...

Lying on my left side for an hour and a half ... oooh. At least it seemed kinda peaceful there behind my curtain. I had some trouble shuffling out the door after receiving the "all good news" as usual report and a handful of brochures, mostly about eating a diet high in fiber. Oooh! I remember being able to work on the day after, maybe the 12 or 14 of these tests have clouded my earlier memories. i think i'll spend most of my day in the lazy boy trying to get over being cranky.

I had a guy about my age telling me how easy his last colonoscopy was. Go-lightly. He said he just lived on Gatorade the final day. Shoot. He is a guy who stripped his camp trailer down to its frame and rebuilt it, cabinets and all just recently. Oooh Gotta stay away from guys like that.

poor stevie
 

Ridgerunner

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Ohh, poor Stevie :barnie

I'm due later this year myself. Luckily I'm still on the 10 year cycle, hope that lasts another decade. I don't really mind the procedure itself that much, I'm knocked out. It's the prep that I hate. I appreciate you letting me know they may have changed the prep time from basically a day and a half to a full week. Really, starting 7 days out!!! If they do that to me I will not be easy to live with.
 

seedcorn

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Agree on prep. Threw up last time.....beginning of diabetes 2, just didn’t recognize it. This time I use water and not some liquid with sugar in it.
 

catjac1975

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Ohh, poor Stevie :barnie

I'm due later this year myself. Luckily I'm still on the 10 year cycle, hope that lasts another decade. I don't really mind the procedure itself that much, I'm knocked out. It's the prep that I hate. I appreciate you letting me know they may have changed the prep time from basically a day and a half to a full week. Really, starting 7 days out!!! If they do that to me I will not be easy to live with.
I have had 2, 10 years apart-both perfect. The new prep is not nearly as bad as it used to be. During the first colonoscopy I woke for a few seconds enough to remember it. The doctor told me that new drugs no longer let that happen. He was correct. I have friends who are using the easy at home fecal DNA test. Only 85% accurate. Another friend is done with treatment for colon cancer. She is improving but she does not look very good. And she she was within a whisper of death.
 

so lucky

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I had my first colonoscopy last July. Way over due for one, but hey, I'm busy, right?
Anyway, it went off without any problems, except that my veins tend to roll, and makes the IV process painful. I'm supposed to go back in 5 years. Next time, in prep, I will remember to keep the Prep H handy due to the toll the cleaning out takes on the backside. Hope that's not TMI.
 

digitS'

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I was having some sort of dream when I awakened.

It wasn't very visionary, or whatever. It had something to do with being young. I had told the nurse that I'm always cheerful after the 18 or 20 times that I have had the test.

I was. I don't know why unless that there has never been bad news and I'm overwhelmingly grateful to be on my way. Or, it's the drugs.

Ten Years??! What's that, like The Life of Riley?

poor stevie
 

so lucky

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I think it's the drugs, poor stevie. The way I feel after I have taken a sleeping pill and do not put myself to bed, feeling extremely comfortable and content and knowing that ordering unnecessary items on the internet at 2 AM is perfectly appropriate. There I go with TMI again! :oops:
 

Zeedman

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There is a family history of colon cancer, so I started when I was 40. Went in for my third colonoscopy last year, combined with an upper GI to investigate some stomach trouble (the prep is the same for both). I sure hope they did the stomach first. :sick Fortunately, both tests found nothing out of the ordinary.
 

catjac1975

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Before my first test the dr. told me colon cancer was totally preventable with this test. And when they see the disease they feel like failures.
 

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