This Blog idea started because I wanted to write about my colonoscopy experience so that others will understand it's not such a big deal--and keep putting it off! I'm almost 67 & had never had one. As I started writing, I realized there were other things I'd been putting off.
I've had 2 phobias: going to the dentist and anesthesia. But I decided that now that I'm "older", I'm going to catch up with all the things I've been putting off.
Nearly 2 yrs ago, I went to the dentist for the first time in 5-6 yrs. I finally found a really good dentist, who takes the time to understand & help patients get over their 'phobias'. Mine was due to a bad childhood experience with the only dentist in our small town.
This lady is fantastic. She explains everything & assures me we can 'stop' anytime I need a break. All I have to do is raise my hand as a signal. At least two of my appointments have been 2+ hours; so yes, we do stop for a bathroom break as well. She also prescribed something for me to take an hour before my appointments, to take the edge off my 'nerves'. It works great! I don't feel 'out of it', or anything like that; I feel totally normal, except that I'm calm.
I've spent the time between now & then taking care of all the problems with my teeth. Next week, I will have the 'final' tooth taken care of. I'm also on a 4 month schedule for "Periodonal Maintenance". I don't want to chance having more problems now that I'm finally getting everything caught up.
That brings me to my other phobia: being put under with anesthesia. I've only been in the hospital twice: when I had my children. They used Ether for the deliveries. I didn't like the feeling at all. I think that just blossomed into a fear of either not getting enough anesthesia or getting too much. So, naturally, I avoided anything that needed anesthesia.
However, a few years ago I found a new doctor, after having to change due to starting Medicare; I was very happy that he didn't push me to have the colonoscopy, although he did recommend it. This year, at my check-up, he asked if I was ready to do it. I said yes. I was determined not to let fear keep me from doing what was necessary.
So here's my Colonoscopy experience. As everyone had told me, the 'worst' part is the Prep, lol.
Surprisingly, not having any solid food all day yesterday didn't bother me at all. I've always said that if I don't "start" eating, I don't feel hungry. I did have 2 glasses of Pepsi, which was on the approved list, as well as some water. Then at 6pm, I started the Prep liquid.
The first two glasses weren't too bad, even though it didn't taste good--not remotely like "cherry" as it was supposed to. By the 4th glass, I wasn't sure I could keep it down! But I did. I set my alarm for 3:45am, so that I could be wide awake in time to start the last 4 glasses at 4:30am.
I actually woke up at 3am & decided to get up. I played games on the computer before starting the Prep stuff and whenever I wasn't in the bathroom, lol. We arrived at the ambulatory surgical center early--and sat & waited...and waited, lol.
They finally started giving me the 'sedation' via IV half an hour after my scheduled 'start'. The doctor & the anesthesia doctor talked to me before that & I felt calm, surprisingly. They had me roll over on my side...I closed my eyes as they started that IV, thinking maybe I'd dream, lol. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery room. It was all over. It felt like I was asleep for maybe a minute, lol--no dream either. (Oh, well...George Clooney can wait, sigh)
As for me--they found & removed 3 polyps. Dr said two looked like "no problem". The third one looks like it might have developed into something bad in 3-5 years. So he's glad I didn't wait any longer. So am I.
So, if you've been putting this off for whatever reason, do it now--to be safe. You'll be glad you did.
