Review time: Colonoscopy

By Faye
@FayeHazel (40243)
United States
November 18, 2022 12:48am CST
Hi all, I did put this out on social media as a sort of PSA - I know it has always comforted me when I know about things from people who have done them. So I figure it's sort of my duty if I can help encourage even one person to get this screening done. Get your colonoscopies as suggested by your physician. Today - I had my first one. And I did not want to do it. 2 days of bland diet followed by 1 day clear liquids all to drink, like, a gallon of "stuff" designed to act like detergent to your innards. Then, off to meet some nice people in white coats who intend to roto-rooter your insides with a camera on a tube. "Sounds fun" said no one, ever. But I did it for my momma Vicki Lange who is a cancer survivor, currently on chemo. I wouldn't wish what she has had to go through medically wise on anyone, not even my worst enemy. Ok ****** keep reading for the nitty gritty The bland diet isn't too bad. There's still plenty of choices that are mild and low fiber. I was hungry, yes, but not too hungry on the liquid diet. It wasn't as bad as I thought. You can have clear liquid and jello gives you the feeling of eating something. Like everyone says the prep is the worst part. But even it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Yes, you run to the bathroom every 2 minutes. If you mentally prepare for this it isn't as bad. Turn and leave the light on. Remove anything in the way of your path to said bathroom. To me , the worst part is having to chug the gallon or so of liquid "gut detergent" . Mine was called "Lemon flavor". Whoever named it apparently never tasted an actual lemon. This stuff tastes approximately like chemicals and burning plastic. All while being way too sweet. Not nice sweet like corn syrup, or sugar or even Splenda. No. You know those off-brand lo-cal sweetners. Non-name brand pink packets that taste like baking soda? Yeah that's the stuff. So yeah that and it has a slippery consistency. But, y'know what - chug it down if you can, big gulps, think of something else, anything else, like how happy you'd be to be drinking this concoction if you had been in the desert for days without liquid and had finally come across a jug of this "water". Drink it down because the people going through treatments have to go through a million times worse. You don't want that if you can at all avoid it. So, Chug a lug. And eventually when you have the required amount down you can stop chugging. You stop running to the bathroom. You're probably a little cold and a little tired from the whole ordeal. Take yourself a nice warm shower (no not because there were any messes) just because your body will appreciate some warm water and some relaxing before you slump off to bed, likely to awaken early. Actual procedure not bad at all. They give you some very nice medicine that makes you feel wonderful before you dose off. I was asleep for the most part. Everyone was nice. And they tell you right away if they did or didn't find anything. They didn't find anything in me. I'm so so thankful. Praise God. So, I realize this turned into a novel, do it - because you DO NOT want to go through what people like my beautiful, lovely momma has had to go through. Not if you can prevent it. So if my words helped encourage anyone... I highly recommend you do it. Health is Wealth. Thank you for reading. Art: Pixabay user Andremsantana
5 people like this
5 responses
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
18 Nov 22
Been there, did this and still had surgery. I mixed the orange powder into my water. It doesn't taste any better.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
21 Nov 22
Aw. I'm sorry you needed surgery. Yeah... the "lemon flavor" packet was optional. I did it... I thought it would help, maybe not lol
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
22 Nov 22
@FayeHazel Oh, well. Some things can't be helped. There was also a pineapple packet in mine. I definitely don't like pineapple drinks.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
23 Nov 22
@DaddyEvil Oh woah cool, you got Pineapple? I'll trade you! So you DON'T like Pina Coldas? Getting caught in the rain? Are you not into yoga? lol
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89882)
• Arvada, Colorado
20 Nov 22
Your review of the procedure should be posted up in every Doctors office Faye
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
21 Nov 22
lol! Thanks
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Nov 22
Good for you for explaining the whole procedure so well. That tallies with what Vince has said about it - and certainly better to go through this than chemo or radiation.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
21 Nov 22
Thanks! I hope to comfort anyone needing it done. Oh yes. Not fun. Especially drinking that "gloop" ... but so much better than possible alternatives.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (19281)
• London, England
20 Nov 22
Mine was all clear and I was able to have a look see, so I concur with the final message!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
21 Nov 22
I'm happy you got the all clear
1 person likes this
• Indonesia
18 Nov 22
I feel healthy after reading this. Thank you for the courageous words
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
21 Nov 22
Happy to provide some inspiration. So welcome