48 hours without food for a 30 minute procedure. Yikes. The procedure was a colonoscopy done a few days ago. The 46 hours leading up to the procedure was the worst part. For most of the 30 minute procedure I was napping courtesy of some sleeping drug. However, to prepare for that 30 minutes, a heavy dose of laxatives is taken with Gatorade to flush the digestive system. It worked as described. No more details will be included.
That was the first time I tasted Gatorade. Of course after this, I will never have it again. At the grocer yesterday, there was a promotional display for Gatorade at the end of an aisle. Immediately, I started to gag. Had to move on -- fast.
About two hours before the procedure, I was weak and shaking. With little reserves on this skinny body, no doubt the metabolism of the body started digesting muscle to get protein.
The fourteen plus pages of legalese for the preparation and procedure included no driving after the procedure. So son TJ provided driving services. He called it a birthday present. Thank you TJ.
I had met the doctor previously at his office a couple of times. Not the most personable doctor I've ever met. Might just be due to his specialty and its point of view.
After the procedure, the doctor reviewed the findings with me. Nothing. Clear. Since everything was clear, the doctor said the next one will be ten years from now. Really. Sorry, but there will be no more. I just had the last one I will ever have -- no matter how long I live.
It's not the procedure, but I just don't do well without food for 48 hours.
Fortunately, it is all behind me. I will be going forward wondering and wandering. In the future I will steer clear of Gatorade displays or gastroenterologist offices.
Photo credit.
I know that feeling, just had my fourth or fifth last January. Lost count. It was a nice nap, but not worth it! Hope you are feeling better now.
ReplyDeleteIf this is your first, you're behind schedule. Although I did get one, it's something I wonder about. Is it really worth it for somebody with no family history of cancer? Or is it just the latest thing for the medical profession to push? I'll probably get another one in ten years, but I still wonder.
ReplyDeleteThis was my third. This time it was to check for some possible reason for the infrequent discomfort in lower right abdomen. Considering I will be in my mid 80s ten years from now, there doesn't seem to be much reason to go looking for things.
DeleteThere is no family history of cancer -- except for my paternal grandmother who had breast cancer. Don't think that applies to me.
I had the upper and lower GI done due to chronic gas and constipation. No pathology to explain my symptoms (of course) but they discovered I had pre-cancerous esophagous cells due to undiagnosed acid reflux. Hate to admit it was a good thing to have it done, but there you go.
DeleteIt is all "behind" you. You made a pun and didn't even know it.
ReplyDeleteThe end.
It was a purposeful pun. There were two others. One was "flush the digestive system" and the other was the doctor's personality due to his point of view. At least I thought they were puns.
DeleteDifferent Fasting time hear in Canada. Soft Food the day before and nothing not even water after midnight. With Hypoglosemia i still felt the need for food.
ReplyDeleteIt's about time.
The previous colonoscopy procedure was with a different doctor in San Diego. Different docs. Different preps. Different med schools probably promote different preparations. Then there are the insurance companies which also dictate how some things (not in this case) are done in the medical industry.
DeleteI caught two of the puns, but missed the flush. (No pun intended.)
ReplyDeleteI've had a couple of sigmoidoscopies, but haven't had the full colonoscopy yet. If I go back to San Diego for a checkup in 2014, I'll schedule one just to be on the safe side. My paternal grandfather died of colon cancer, so... better to be safe.
Due to chronic constipation I occasionally have to drink about 5 ounces of grape flavored magnesium citrate which is grossly similar to the colon prep. At least it's over in seconds, and it seems to be the only thing that works reliably. Ruined grape for me though.
ReplyDelete