Serious Question for everyone

[ellenw]

I think mine was lemon-lime a couple of years ago. All clear (so to speak) and I'm good for another 10 years. My Ex-DH asked me to drive him to his and then I had to sit in on the post-conversation too, as the only lucid one of the two of us. Now wouldn't you think that little duty went away when the judge proclaimed us done?

[mitch5252]

I think mine was lemon-lime a couple of years ago. All clear (so to speak) and I'm good for another 10 years. My Ex-DH asked me to drive him to his and then I had to sit in on the post-conversation too, as the only lucid one of the two of us. Now wouldn't you think that little duty went away when the judge proclaimed us done?

But you're a good and caring woman.

..

[Carolinagal]

I didn't realize cherry could be a choice, thought it was all of the lighter colors. Drinking the drink of choice is not all that bad,( for me), what I feared was not being able to eat for such a long time. my body has a problem with that, I get the shakes and inner body even quivers, so I made jellos ahead and drank buillion drinks and made it fine. The test of course is no problem because you're asleep or out enough, you don't care. I've had it twice and both times were different types of drinks, no pills offered, no choice offered on drink either, now that I think of it

Good luck, just don't think about it all that much and before you know it , it will all be over,

CArol

having had cancer twice , I would not put this off, get errr done ladies !!!!!!!!!

[SoCalGalcas]

No matter what flavor you choose, they are all yucky. And the test is no picnic. However, that said, get it done!!! It is so very important. I have seen too many persons who either ignored symptoms or did not have the test....the end is no fun either!!!
lyn

[havingfunnow]

I'm actually far more concerned about the effects of anesthesia on cognitive functions than I am about the possibility of cancer, given my family history. I won't have any optional procedure that involves anesthetics, including this one.

[chalet05]

Late DH had Crohn's disease and went through this test more than once. Then diagnosed with colon cancer (may have actually started on appendix) a few months after colonoscopy. So, I have always said 'no way'. However, I was not well informed and did not know about polyps which can easily be removed during procedure. Since polyps have been showing up for others in the family, I am now reconsidering. And, if my 14 yo granddaughter, who was recently diagnosed with Crohn's, can suffer through, I need to put on my big girl panties and deal with it! Oh and she went to the zoo after the procedure!!

[dpf]

I was a bit flippant (although truthful) with my response last night. Listen, those of you who have not had a colonoscopy and it’s past time PLEASE make an appointment. My mother had colon cancer and had surgery in 2006, she’s doing fine at 93. It was caught early with the procedure. Since December I have had two friends die much too young (59 and 63) from colon cancer and two of my friend’s mothers taking treatment at this time. All four of these people refused to get a colonoscopy because they were afraid of the preparation period. The prep is probably the worst part and it really isn’t that bad. Excuse me for being extremely blunt here, but it’s not like being sick and having diarrhea. There isn’t any cramping, no explosive episodes. You just know that it’s time to get to the bathroom. The colonoscopy itself is nothing…you are out like a light and have NO IDEA what is happening….wake up and it’s all done. After effects are just feeling a little groggy for a couple hours and some intestinal gas…and you’re just groggy enough that you don’t care if you let one rip! In fact the medical staff encourages it. And as the nurse told me, you don’t have to worry about it being a shart because there is nothing left in you!

Please…those of you who are putting this off….call the clinic in the morning and make an appointment. (While you’re at it make one for a mammogram too) I have to go again next May. Am I looking forward to it? Not by any means, but I’ll do it. Yep...put on those big girl panties and find a friend to be the chauffeur.

[monik7]

I was a bit flippant (although truthful) with my response last night. Listen, those of you who have not had a colonoscopy and it’s past time PLEASE make an appointment. My mother had colon cancer and had surgery in 2006, she’s doing fine at 93. It was caught early with the procedure. Since December I have had two friends die much too young (59 and 63) from colon cancer and two of my friend’s mothers taking treatment at this time. All four of these people refused to get a colonoscopy because they were afraid of the preparation period. The prep is probably the worst part and it really isn’t that bad. Excuse me for being extremely blunt here, but it’s not like being sick and having diarrhea. There isn’t any cramping, no explosive episodes. You just know that it’s time to get to the bathroom. The colonoscopy itself is nothing…you are out like a light and have NO IDEA what is happening….wake up and it’s all done. After effects are just feeling a little groggy for a couple hours and some intestinal gas…and you’re just groggy enough that you don’t care if you let one rip! In fact the medical staff encourages it. And as the nurse told me, you don’t have to worry about it being a shart because there is nothing left in you!

Please…those of you who are putting this off….call the clinic in the morning and make an appointment. (While you’re at it make one for a mammogram too) I have to go again next May. Am I looking forward to it? Not by any means, but I’ll do it. Yep...put on those big girl panties and find a friend to be the chauffeur.

I was just trying to put together a similar response. Glad you posted. This is so important. There are things in life that aren't exactly what we would like, but we need to do them. This is one of the most important. Also, I think it's sedation, not general anesthesia. So I sure hope those of you who say you won't will reconsider. There might be times to be stubborn, but this is not one of them.
Sandi

[Cougarfan]

I want to thank everyone for their replies to this post. In the end, after opening all the flavor packets to smell each flavor, I chose the pineapple.

I started this post more for fun but I want to thank those that encouraged others to get this important test. Its basically 2 days out of your life that you can't just do what you want but could make a difference in how the rest of your life plays out. You won't know until you do the test.

Thanks again and I'll check back after the test to let you know how the pineapple worked out for me

Laura

[JudyJB]

I had a polyp removed after my first colonoscopy, but none for my last one two years ago. I agree that it is really important to get this test done. The prep is a pain, but doable.

My girlfriend took me to my first one, and then drove me home. I was still out of it and did not listen to the instructions. Luckily she did. She dropped me off at home, and I slept for three hours and then felt so good I went out by myself to a local art fair. No pain at all afterwards. She was supposed to check on me, so she tried calling me, but my cell phone was dead. So while I was eating a polish sausage on a big bun at the art fair, she was panicked that I was passed out at home. She finally got ahold of me late that night when I plugged my phone in.

I had an aunt die of colon cancer, so I will continue to get one every five years, per my doctor's recommendation.

[BarbaraRose]

Minnesota has recently had billboards put up along the freeways that are pretty bizarre, about colonoscopies. I sure did a double take when I saw the one with the guy with his head up his butt!!

Here is a link to some of them...

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=col ... &sp=-1&sk=

[dpf]

Minnesota has recently had billboards put up along the freeways that are pretty bizarre, about colonoscopies. I sure did a double take when I saw the one with the guy with his head up his butt!!

Here is a link to some of them...

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=col ... 22&sp=-1&=

Soooooo are you taking the HINT?

[JoanE]

Let me echo the admonition to get a colonoscopy. My grandfather died from colon cancer. I had a friend die from colon cancer. The procedure is nothing compared to suffering from cancer. Every time I get a colonoscopy (every 3 years), the doctor has removed benign polyps. The important word is "benign".
Is it a fun experience to drink the prep. No. Is it inconvenient to spend time on the toilet? Yes. Is the procedure painful? No. Is it an important tool for your health? Yes.

If you can travel in an RV, this is a walk in the park. DO IT!

Ellen, I still take my ex too. Lol

[Cougarfan]

Thought I would post an update. Everything went fine with the test on Monday. The prep wasn't fun but I managed to get through it although I will purchase a padded toilet seat before the next test LOL. They did remove a polyp and took some random biopsies to see what else was going on. I also have diverticulitis (which I knew but now have a picture LOL) I don't remember anything after pre-op until I woke up in my own bed with my sunglasses still on my head. Hey, at least it wasn't a lampshade.....LOL

I received a call from my doctor this afternoon. I'm very glad I had this test. I have to go back in 5 years instead of 10 to see if I have any more polyps. For now, I'm healthy and I will follow thru with the next test or if I have any more symptoms before then. I also told the doctor that I wanted to take the pill and drink the water next time LOL He said "hey, a lot can happen in medicine in 5 years. It might be easier than that." We'll see about that...

Laura

[Bethers]

Glad to hear you got through it - was thinking about you. Good to know you're healthy. That's a good feeling, isn't it?