This aging stuff gets tricky sometimes.
Yesterday it was a colonoscopy, the third one in my life. I am on a more frequent rotation because of a history of polyps, and even though my doc told me yesterday everything looked fine, I should schedule another one in three years.
As anyone who has experienced this procedure knows, it's not the procedure itself that is burdensome (other than the inconvenience of taking a day off work to go to the surgery center, and assuming everything turns out well) but, rather, it's the preparation that is unpleasant. But it's necessary so you arrive for your procedure, uh, "cleaned out," if you will.
For my first one, about 15 years ago, I took pills for the preparation. Not bad, and they did the job.
For the second one, pills had fallen out of favor, and I was prescribed some nasty, chalky liquid. Yuck.
For the one yesterday, everything was over the counter, mixed with Gatorade, and it wasn't bad at all. I hope this is still the preferred method when I have my next colonoscopy.
Typically for me, there were three polyps, but the doc seemed unconcerned. Guess I'll see him again in three years.
I suppose yesterday, getting an IV and being briefly anesthetized, was the warmup for the big act, which will be June 19th when I have knee replacement surgery. This has been coming for a while, and although I don't look forward to the surgery, I do look forward to being on the other side of it.
My knees have been deteriorating for years, and both seemed to get significantly worse a couple years ago, which led me visit an orthopedic surgeon. He initially prescribed physical therapy. That, along with riding a stationary bike and getting really good steroid injections, helped considerably and the pain level is better than it was. But I am bone-on-bone, and at some point, the benefit of the exercises and steroids will diminish.
So, I am starting with the right knee in June. If it goes well, I will eventually have the other one done. I have a lot of walking to do.
And while we're on the subject of medicine and surgery, I will update you on my son-in-law. His surgery was February 27th and, not unexpectedly, his recovery has been rough. Slowly but surely, however, he is getting better and has recently returned to work.
We will be holding our collective breath as he continues to have scans and lab work, fervently hoping and praying this awful cancer is gone for good. Any prayers in that direction are greatly appreciated.
8 comments:
I am glad for the update on your son in law. I've wondered, but hate to pry. I'm done with colonoscopies, they tell me, and let me tell you, I'm not asking questions. But yes, the prep this time was so much better this time around.
I hated the gatorade prep, but at least I'm still a 10 year person. How are you done with them, Debby? I've heard some docs say you don't need another after 80 (which you're no where near), but I had an aunt who got colon cancer at that point and they might have caught it if she'd had another.
Still praying for Ben and all your family, Bob.
I did the gatorade prep and it made me so sick. I arrived nauseous and they almost sent me home. I begged them to not make me go through all that again. Turns out I was severely dehydrated, and within minutes (it seemed) of being hooked up to an IV, I was feeling chipper - ready to get it done! I wonder if they will do pills if a person asks for them?
Glad to hear your SIL has been able to return to work. I'm sorry his recovery was rough. Praying that his treatment has been successful and he will remain cancer free.
Becki, I am pretty sure the pills are a thing of the past. I think I remember my doc telling me there was some litigation over it. I was careful to drink water throughout the day Sunday (day before the procedure) so I would not get dehydrated. Also ate a couple of popsicles and some Jello (which I love - it's a generational thing, I think!).
I had my first experience just a handful of weeks ago. I guess I didn't find the prep as bad as I had built up in my mind from everyone else's description. I had the thickened milkshake version which although not desirable, wasn't bad either. I liked that I could drink each dose in a few large gulps versus having to drink glasses upon glasses of stuff. Anyway, I got a ten year reprieve before the next one which made me very happy just the same.
I've also had three colonoscopies. The first I got a 10 year reprieve, but since there were polyps and I only got 5 year breaks--my next is in two more years. BUT get them, as I have had two friends die from colon cancer, one in his mid-50s and the other at 61.
My uncle had both knees replaced at the same time. His choice. He wanted to get it all over with at once. It was rough, but he is on the other side now.
I got put on the every-three-year schedule after my first a couple of years ago, which means, I'm nearly due again. At least there's propofol.
Some of those preps are worse than the procedure. Glad you came through it well. I hope and pray your son-in-law has good recovery from his surgery. And I wish the same for your upcoming knee replacement! My husband may need one of those one of these days.
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