Many thanks for contributing to the discussion about TV streaming options. I sincerely appreciate the recommendations. I wasn’t going to subscribe to anything, but now I’m leaning toward Netflix and Britbox. Go big or go home. I can always cancel.
In other news, today is colonoscopy prep day. The procedure is first thing tomorrow morning. Clear liquids all day and then Colon Blow 2020 starting at 6 p.m. I am not amused.
For the record, this is not my first rodeo. I’ve been on the five-year plan since 1999, when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Like just about everyone else, I’d say the procedure itself is fine, but prep is the worst. This time it seems worse than normal. Previously, I’d do the colon blow earlier in the day and be done in time to get a decent night’s sleep.
But, oh, no. Now they have this thing called split dosage. I’m to do half of it at 6 p.m. and the other half at 2 a.m. I called to confirm, because I couldn’t imagine they expected me to be awake at 2 a.m. Sadly, that is exactly what they expect.
When I explained to Nurse Ratched I’ve never had to get up at 2 a.m. for colonoscopy prep, she almost barked and said, well, things change! That was it. Then another nurse called me for a pre-op discussion, and she was kinder and more informative. Basically, she said they’ve learned the split dosage does a better job of cleaning out the colon.
I’m all about clean colons. Hell, yeah. I’m in, but I still think it’s ridiculous. Here’s my conspiracy theory regarding the new colonoscopy prep:
In the old days, you went to see your gastroenterologist, and it went on from there. Now there are clinics that do pretty much nothing but colonoscopies. You don’t even meet your doctor until you’re naked on the table.
There is no medical basis for my opinion, just a rant really, but I believe the colonoscopy mills eliminated any personal attention or nuance, and they want the biggest blow-out this stinking desert has ever seen so they can get through it faster and do more.
There, I said it. I’m probably wrong. It’s all for my medical safety, blah, blah, blah. And I know one day of unpleasantness is nothing compared to colon cancer.
I hope you’re having a great Sunday. Me? Not so much. However, I leave you with this sweet article about an ex-prisoner and how he spends his Sundays. Highlights are good coffee and hot lavender baths.
It’s all about simple pleasures!
And speaking of simple pleasures, as clear liquids go, I have to say lemon Jello is not all bad. Not bad at all. But it would be better with whipped cream.
I imagine you are referring to Phil Hartman and the memorable advertisement for Colon Blow cereal. One of the greatest!
Indeed! So funny.
My husband had his colon blowout on Thursday. Thankfully, he had a noon appointment so didn’t have to do his split dose until 6:00 am. Not too bad. Sadly, after the procedure, the doctor told him that the prep didn’t do its job so my DH has to drink the golightly crap (do you remember that stuff?) for his repeat colonoscopy in February. He followed the prep procedures exactly so no idea why it didn’t clean him out. He’s on the five year plan, too, and has been for a couple of decades.
If there is a God, I will not have to repeat this for another five years! Your husband must have been so annoyed.
When I was scheduling my colonoscopy, the scheduling clerk said – “Just a warning: the earlier the procedure, the more ungodly hour you have to get up and finish the job.” Ok, she didn’t say ungodly but she got her message across. I still think the prep is so much better than it used to be.
Well, there you go. I had no idea. I always go for early. Oh well. I just finished up with Part 1 and will be up in a few hours for part 2. It has improved over the years.
It’s a horrible procedure and basically takes 2+ days out of your life. It really has gotten to be big business. The GI group I was referred to is definitely a colonoscopy mill and I did not meet the doctor until I was laying naked on the table. That meeting lasted about 1 minute before they knocked me out and she did not see me after the procedure to give me the results, the nurse did. I guess the doctor had 50 more colonoscopies to do that day. Thankfully I had no polyps so I’m on the 10 year plan. I am 67 and there is some question about whether you should have the procedure if you are over 75, so I will think long and hard if I want to go through that ordeal again in 10 years. Good luck.
Yeah, I can’t imagine a frail or elderly person having to get through this. Definitely two days out of your life that suck. The second batch of that prep drink was so awful. My face does weird things just thinking about it.
I had my last one three years ago. Fortunately my appointment was for 11:00 so my second dose was at 7:00. This was SO much better than the prep ten years earlier. Hope things go well for you today.
I would have appreciated a little advice from the nurse about timing. But she was a nasty sort. At least it’s done.
Good luck Donna! I haven’t had to do this (colonoscopy) yet, but I’ve had to do the prep for surgery before, and it was – as you said – way worse than the procedure. I’m sure when I went into surgery they could have shone a flashlight down my throat and the light would have come out the other end, that’s how…uh…empty I was.
Deb
All is well. I agree about the empty part. I feel certain a flashlight would have lit me up from end to end. Other than the scheduling nurse, who was rude, I continue to be impressed by the kindness and professionalism of the medical staff. They do a great job.
Well, it is over! Procedure itself was fine. They did find two polyps. I haven’t had any before. He said they were most likely benign, but they do send them out for biopsy. I’m not worried about that. Unless there’s a surprise with the polyps, I’m still on the five-year plan. Came home and had cinnamon toast and a cup of coffee! That sure hit the spot. I’ll probably just hang around and read today.
I’m glad it went okay.
I’m having mine( the first) in 2 weeks. Are you awake? And are you still going to the bathroom by the time you go in or is it all over? What did you drink the day before? I’m thinking tea, broth, ???
Thanks so much! Now that it’s over, I’m thinking the endoscopy centers (colonoscopy mills as I called them) are not a bad way to go. Often when it comes to medical care, you want people who do a specific procedure all the time. The first one I ever had back in 1999 was done by a gastro guy in his office, and it was the worst. The endoscopy centers do this all day every day. Except for the prep, this one was easy and painless. By the way, I went to Capitol GI through Sutter in Roseville.
The prep varies, but generally you start clear liquids one day before the procedure. They’ll give you specific guidelines, but I stuck with water, coffee, white grape juice, ginger ale, lemon jello and chicken bouillon. They usually ask you to avoid some medications (blood thinners, vitamin E) several days before. Sometimes they want you on a low-residue diet several days prior, although mine did not specify this. Still, I was careful what I ate the day before I started the liquids. Anything red or fibrous is usually bad.
There are various products you drink to initiate the blow out. This was my fourth or fifth colonoscopy, and every one has been different. All horrible but some more horrible than others. This product was called PLENVU. It was a powder you mixed with cold water. I would rate it among the worst tasting, but you do what you have to do. I did like that, for me, it took effect within 10 minutes (as in let’s just get this show on the road).
I set up a station in the bathroom with a TV tray. Laptop, book, water, toilet paper, wet wipes. Just stayed there until it was over. I was cold, so I bundled up.
Oh, and for me at least, it wasn’t completely over even minutes before they wheeled me into the room for the procedure. By then, anything coming out should be clear, but I did have the squirts and had to visit the restroom maybe three times between my arrival and the procedure. I bought adult diapers in case of an accident. I didn’t see anyone else rushing off to the bathroom, so maybe it was just me.
Usually you are in what they call “conscious sedation.” You’re awake but not really there, if you know what I mean. I don’t even remember them putting the scope in. I had a FANTASTIC nap when I got home.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Glad it went well and that it is over – never fun.
Thanks, Scott! You are so right. Never fun.