True Story: I'd forgotten how old I am...
...for like years. I recently got a friendly reminder at my GPs office when she told me that it's time to start colonoscopy screenings. So, that's how old I am...thanks Dr Martin-Jones!
In a nutshell, the procedure screens the full 7 meters of lower bowel/ large intestine--using a high-resolution camera--for abnormal growths (polyps), marks, discoloration, or texture changes. Colorectal cancer is on the rise! If abnormalities exist, the surgeon performing the procedure will take a biopsy then and there--and send the sample for testing. All this is performed under general anesthesia. The majority of people are knocked out for the duration...
..for me, this was the most stressful part of the process, being put into artificial sleep then woken up again. As some might have guessed from my hysterectomy earlier this year, general anesthesia disturbs me. In my pre-op assessment on colonoscopy day, I told the nurse that it scared me. For others, the multiple days of preparation is the most difficult part. Here's what happens:
Bowel Prep & Dietary Restrictions
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| Bowel prep involves drinking electrolyte and laxatives for a day or two, then no food for that period, and to just warn you, below is a picture of my pristine colon. |
This seems like a great way to detox to me...but it can be pretty trying for most people. I did the dietary restrictions for the week prior to my screening, but it's unnecessary to start this early.
Diet is restricted to limit bulking high fiber foods. This meant that I was to have no nuts, seeds, dried fruits, dried beans and peas...avoid whole grains and cereals...no raw fruit or veggies, instead eating cooked ones. It was a bit of a tough week, and I ate a lot of soup and yogurt.
As for the bowel prep: One day before the procedure is when the liquid diet starts. No solid food, and no opaque or red liquids. At dinnertime on that day is when drinking a jug of electrolyte/laxatives starts. Half is to be consumed that night, and the other half the next day, four hours before the procedure. It tastes disgusting, and chugging a a cup of that every 30 minutes or so made me want to vom...I did not.
The goal of this liquid bombardment is to produce completely clear liquid bowel movements by colonoscopy day.
Procedure
Technically this counts as a surgery, because of the use of anesthesia and potential for cutting (sorry, bad choice of word). By procedure morning any bowel movements should be clear liquid (like urine!). At the medical center, I got one last chance to go potty, and was then assessed by a nurse. She reassured me about the anesthesia, and took my vitals. Then I disrobed and put on a flimsy cotton gown and hospital socks.
I'm really getting used to wearing hospital socks this year...yeesh!
In the operating room, my doc and the anesthetist made small talk as I rolled onto my side, then I was out like a light. I awoke in a small recovery room with the nurse from earlier saying how well it all went, and telling me that my hubby was on his way. As with my earlier surgery I was cautioned not to make any major purchases, and to ease back into eating my regular diet in a day or so. That was it...until I got the report and an awesome set of pictures of my lower GI...
Photo Album
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| These are just three of the 10 pics I got to look at. I must say that my colon is beautiful. As usual, I freaked out a bit before going under, but awoke no worse for the wear. It took me just two days before I resumed my normal (extremely high-fiber) diet, and I was absolutely fine after the procedure. |
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