Sunday, May 8, 2011

Tomorrow is my colonoscopy...

and so today I am spending a lot of time feeling sorry for myself. I am a terrible faster. The thought of going without food makes my hands shake and my lips quiver. Bob had his colonoscopy Friday, and breezed through the no-food regimen on Thursday.

He didn't even bother eating the allowed clear foods. I said, "You can have broth and yellow jello and apple juice and see-through popsicles." And he says, "Why bother, that's not even food. I'll just drink water." And he did. While I snuck down to the basement and ate my dinner.

Here I am, at 10:06 a.m.--about 21 hours to go--with a gurgling stomach and thoughts of nachos and cheese and olives and crackers. I've already had a glass of apple juice, and now I'm thinking about brunch, chicken broth. But then what will I have for lunch? Chicken broth, I guess. And a lime popsicle. Dinner? Apple juice, chicken broth, a lime popsicle. Oh and a gallon of (see-through) Gavilyte-G solution. It's purpose: to make me see-through.

But you know what. You know what I blocked out of my mind since my last colonoscopy three years ago? I had to give up anti-inflammatory drugs five days before the procedure. So I have been without my Ibuprofen and Diclofenac Sodium since Wednesday, a staple of my diet. Clearly, I am always doped up because I had no idea so many of my body parts hurt.

But you know what else? I'm alive, by golly. My CT scan in March was clear and if I get away from my procedure tomorrow with only a few polyps snipped off and the dreaded nausea that accompanies any anesthesia I undergo, twilight or total knockout, then I'll feel lucky. Luckier than Bob who had a couple of polyps and a spot that must be biopsied and possibly removed later, which means he'll have to starve himself another day (and drink another gallon of colon cleanser.)

But as for me. Right now, I'm off to have my Mother's Day brunch.

5 comments:

Sue Edison-Swift said...

You know better than anyone, Cowgirl, that this rough ride is worth it. I love how you're an evangelist for taking advantage of the screenings available to you. I love you. Chicken broth for lunch sounds delightful.
s.

phyllisr said...

One of the stupider mistakes I've made was scheduling an optional colonoscopy on the day after Mother's Day in w007 or 2008, one of the few times of the year when my family planned on a festive meal out.

The prep was much worse than the procedure; I hope yours proves the same and by later tomorrow you're feeling your usual chipper self.

Marisa @ getting Back To Basics said...

Just had my third one...not eating didn't bother me...drinking the gallon of prep was not pleasant and the procedure itself...didn't feel a thing! You can check out my colonoscopy post, "Bottoms Up" at:

http://marjean-gettingbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2011/04/bottoms-up-below-belt-commentary-on.html

Peg said...

I have two words for you - Half Lytely...less liquid to drink and one pill. Worked without too much of a problem for me...I just have to make sure I stay on the drinking schedule next time, which will be in about 4 months. Courage!

EMR said...

All the best for the surgery...I know the pangs you may be feeling in your heart but keep good faith ...there is improved medication and you will feel better soon.