I have a confession to make. I have been a little disingenuous.
Since getting colon cancer I have been a tireless advocate for people taking time to get that colonoscopy that they have been putting off. Colon cancer is one of the most avoidable cancers—and it can be detected early with a simple colonoscopy.
So, how have I been disingenuous?
Until last week, I’d never had one.
You see, when I was in Iowa, they did a flexible sigmoidoscopy and came across the tumor and scheduled immediate surgery. At home, Dr. Fisher had ordered CT scans for me, but had told me that we wouldn't be doing a full colonoscopy until mid-way through my chemo cycle. Which brings me to last week...
Like many of you, I had heard horror stories about the preparation for the colonoscopy, so I was dreading the procedure. After enduring the endless medications, surgeries and chemo I’ve gone through this year, I was mostly upset about the prospect of drinking gallons of Go-lytely.
Do I have news for you—they now have an alternative to Go-lytely! Don’t get me wrong, they don’t hand it out very easily, but through the persistence that you all know me for, I was able to secure it. I took 32 pills in a 12 hour period, but I avoided the drink!
Between the pills and an incredible GI specialist, I had a very, very easy colonoscopy. I couldn't believe how simple the whole thing was. When I walked out of the colonoscopy, my first comment to Pat was – "Well, that was no big deal."
And here’s the even better news--the doctor found only one polyp which he removed and tested for cancer. It was negative!
As I'm sure you are all aware – there are many, many people out there who have not had their colonoscopies done, although they turned 50 or have a history of colon issues in their families. While I've been telling anyone who will listen to me to get one (including a poor local rabbi who only called me to see how I was doing), I’d always felt a little awkward telling people that a colonoscopy was no big deal. But I’m telling you today, that IT IS NO BIG DEAL!
My next colonoscopy will be after I complete chemo—in just over a month! And for those of you who have not been tested and should be (you know who you are), please call your doctor today and set up an appointment to get it done.
Trust me – it's much better than chemo.
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1 comment:
Yay, Eve!!!
Good message- one I can certainly second. Not that colonoscopies are PLEASANT, exactly. In my mind, they fall into the same category as Papsmear, with just a bit more unpleasant prep involved. (Though I don't mind the drink, so much. Just the action it creates.)
One tip I can share: I've taken to scheduling myself some sort of body "treat"- a yummy massage or pedicure- to follow these procedures. It's like a thank you to my body for enduring the indignity and a pampering to follow the prying.
Hey- maybe I'm onto something. Here's a business plan for you- A clinic that offers paps and colonoscopies in a spa-like atmosphere!
It could offer "clinic-spa" packages, with fancy names like "Deep Touche Journey". Here's a sample description:
This personal journey begins before you ever leave home, as you prepare your body to be nurtured and celebrated by cleansing from the inside with the sensual enema elixir provided in your package. Upon your arrival at the Garden of Eve super-medi-spa, after slipping into a cushy bamboo and cashmere blend robe and hemp exfoliating slippers, you will be treated to a luxurious foot soak, scalp and hand massage with fragrant oils that will soothe and delight all of your senses, melting away any stress or anxiety. As the notes of Peruvian flute music and the sound of waterfalls further soothe your senses, our experienced journey guides (doctors and nurses, actually) will provide a gentle administration of mild anaesthetic elements and a generous application of skin-pleasing lubricant (made from locally sourced, organic botanicals, of course) into the most precious of your orifices, followed by a "light-touch" exploration of these sacred portals of pleasure and purification. During this wondrous treatment, samples of your essences will be collected in a manner that respects your own personal rhythms and increases your sense of well-being and endless joy...a leg massage and full spa pedicure complete your special journey. Or, to make your day just a bit more special, you can add a special breast massage in our recently added Temple of Mammo! (You will be contacted by your health practitioner with all of your test results.)
Now- wouldn't that make us all a bit more inclined to schedule those necessary appointments!!!
Until we can get this up and running, though, I hope your wise words will ring in people's minds. I think it's worth repeating a few different ways- here goes: THE PAIN OF THE ANNUAL COLONOSCOPY/PAP SMEAR/MAMMOGRAM DOESN'T COME ANYWHERE NEAR THE INCONVENIENCE AND UNPLEASANTRY OF CANCER TREATMENT!!!!!!!!!! Just do it!
XO,
Shannon
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