In which a polyp should never be “funny looking”
Posted by Isabel on November 18th, 2008. Filed under: Me.Yesterday I had yet another colonosopy. I’ve lost count on how many I’ve had. This may have been number five. Or six. Whatever number it was, I’m an old pro at this. Do you know what a colonoscopy is? It’s when your doctor takes a camera and scopes around in your colon. Do you know how they get inside your colon?
Yep, that’s how.
In order to properly scope around your colon, two things have to happen:
- Your colon has to be EMPTY.
- You have to go to the hospital and put under.
In case you don’t know how you get an empty colon, let me tell you. IT IS FORCED OUT OF YOU. The day before a colonoscopy you are not allowed to eat anything. You can only drink clear liquids. After a day of fasting you either have to drink the most vile liquid drink known to man or you have to take 32 horse sized pills.
I chose the pills.
So you take the liquid (if you’re mental) or the pills (if you’re less mental) and then wait. After an hour or so your stomach begins to rumble and shake and hurt. And then, all of a sudden, you jump up and RUN TO THE BATHROOM, all the while hoping and praying that you can make it before you explode.
You then spend the rest of the next 12 hours close to the toilet. Very close to a toilet.
And in case that isn’t enough, you get to take more pills (or drink more of the vile drink) the next morning and do it all over again before heading in to the hospital to be wheeled into an operating room so that someone can man-handle you and your colon.
It really isn’t that terrible. I mean, I got to sleep most of yesterday, so that’s a good thing. And because I’m an old pro I requested they admit me to the hospital early so I could lay in the bed, with a warm blanket, and read a book before my surgery.
They removed three polyps from my colon yesterday. That is the least amount I’ve ever had extracted from my colon, but still, not a small enough number to ease my doctor’s concern. Someone of my age shouldn’t have any polyps. My doctor said that one of the polyps was a little large and “funny looking”. He doesn’t think any of them are cancerous, although they have yet to be tested. And while he’s pretty sure they aren’t harboring any cancer, he wants to see me back for another colonoscopy before the end of the year.
Having issues with my colon has always sort of been funny. You know, Hee-hee, they make me have explosive poop. Tee-hee, I have poop issues. But now, well now it seems to be getting a little serious. Now it’s sounding more like “colon cancer” and less like something to tee-hee about.
It really isn’t to a point that I need to worry. But how do you not worry? How can I think about this and not hear the word cancer over and over? My doctor suggested all of my siblings have a routine colonoscopy. You know, “just in case.” Convincing them might be harder then it should be.
This week I’ll be calling my insurance to make sure they’ll cover my third colonoscopy this year. I’ll be eating more fiber and vegetables.
And I’ll be holding my eternal family a little closer.
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I decided to try out scrapbooking for the first time. Head on over to New To Us to hear (and see) how it turned out!
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Amber is the winner of my latest give-away. (Amber, send me your address asap!)
November 18th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Your ordeal (pills, fasting, bathroom woes) sounds like WAY more than a person should ever have to endure. I will say a prayer for you that you stay healthy!
November 18th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Oh wow…hugs to you! Here’s hoping that it’s just funny looking and not cancer looking. I’m sorry that you had to go through such an invasive procedure…no one should be allowed to get that close and personal with your bum!
November 18th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Bummer on the funny looking polyps and the anticipated colonoscopy #3.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Hope everything’s okay.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Poor child. I applaud you for being pro-active and I’m sure you’ll be fine.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I hope funny looking doesnt mean funny bad. Will be thinking of you.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
That doesn’t sound like fun. Fingers crossed for you!
November 18th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Ugh that sounds horrible. I would hate to go through something like that, and to have ANOTHER before years end! I’m sending you good energy!
November 18th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Hmmmm, what’s something funny I can say to get your mind of polyps…. Lil’ May takes her new pet rock everywhere we go. In a Hannah Montana treat bag.
Greta’s vampire teeth are even more jacked up looking, but her front teeth are coming in.
Crap, all I can think of is stuff to do with my kids. I need to get out.
My friend Becky found herself praying that Pam would make the right decision & go back to Jim (I think she’s over-tired…)
November 18th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I have never had a colonoscopy and I have a feeling I haven’t been missing out either. I sincerely hope everything turns out fine.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
The good thing is, you are doing the right thing and if anything does come up, it is totally treatable with huge success! My mom is a colon cancer survivor.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Oh, dear…none of that sounds pleasant in the least. I’m glad you’re staying on top of it and I’m praying that everything is just fine, and stays just fine.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:18 am
I’m sorry about the polyp. I’m just glad that you are staying on top of the whole thing. Trying to come up with something really good, but really, I’m just concerned about you.
Hugs, my friend, from across the wires.
November 19th, 2008 at 5:50 am
I would hope that your experience, in particular, producing funny-looking polyps, would be ample ammunition to have your sibs run off to get one done. (But you might want to downplay the explosive pooping part in encouraging them to do so.) Good luck.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Oh Isabel, I really feel for you.
You’re in my (quite rare) prayers. I hope you get better soon and this all turns out to be just some random illness that you get over xx
November 19th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Dude, another one BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR? That’s insane. I’m sorry.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Yikes! Prayers and good wishes coming your way.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Grunt, that sucks ! Good vibes sent your way. REALLY good vibes !
November 19th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Thank goodness we live in an age where colonoscopies are possible, right? (I’m trying to find a bright side in having a camera shoved up your butt… it’s not that easy.)
November 21st, 2008 at 4:06 am
Sending you tons of tons of good thoughts Iz!
December 4th, 2008 at 4:59 am
I’m sorry that you have to go through this. I’m sending you tons of good vibes and know that everything is going to be just fine!