2010: Begin Again – Clean as a Whistle

Clean as a Whistle

Mmmmmmmmmm. Sedatives. Gotta love ’em! No memory whatsoever of the colonoscopy procedure earlier today. The good news; I’m clean as a whistle. Not even a sign of any polyps forming. So it’s 10 years now to the next examine. If you are 50 or older, or 40 if you have a family history of colon cancer, do yourself and your loved ones a favour – get the examine.

In Alberta, colon cancer is the second highest cause of cancer deaths. Yet, if detected early, it has a 90-95% successful treatment rate. But only 20% of Albertans 50-74 years old have been screened.

Here’s my experience. I share this to ease anxieties for anyone facing the examination or considering undergoing the procedure.

I showed up at the clinic in Coaldale about 20 minutes early. Check-in was a breeze as a phone interview earlier took care of most questions. My appointment was for 1:15 p.m. It was closer to 1:25 when I was taken to my bed.

The nurse and I discussed the procedure and I was given a gown and housecoat. Once I’d changed, leaving the socks on as I was directed (helped keep my feet warm), I got to lie down and get comfortable. The nurse set me up with an IV; very professional, just a minor pinch upon insertion of the needle. She explained it was just salt water, but it provided access to administer the sedative, too.

After lying there for a few minutes, I was wheeled into the examination room. Blood pressure was taken. Then I rested a bit until the doctor came in. He was great. We chatted as he went over the paperwork and he took the time to explain about the procedure. The sedative was added to the IV without me being told, but I could tell when everything started going a little fuzzy. I was asked to roll over onto my left side.

And that was the last thing I remember until slowly coming to back in the other room. The nurse made sure I was fine. The OJ and digestive cookies tasted so-o-o-o good after a couple of days without food. The nurse told me everything went well and there were no signs of any polyps. Yee-haw!

I got dressed and a nurse escorted me back to the waiting room. I was a little woozy. Definitely see why the clinic insists someone pick up you after. No way I could drive. Lynda met me with a ham and swiss from Timmie’s. Fabulous sandwich. We drove home and I took a nice, long nap.

That was that. Easy peasy. No memory of the procedure at all. And the comfort of knowing I’m clear of any sign of colorectal cancer. Maybe you’re not in the age bracket for screening, but maybe you know someone who is. Encourage them to talk to their doctor about having the exam. Embarassing? Maybe a little. Beats having cancer? Absolutely! No ifs, ands or butts about it!

Photos: Me writing this blog entry. Exciting, it isn’t it? And the photo inside my wonderfully clean colon! Well, actually a photo of the photo. Also, a gratuitous shot of my mice. That's Thelma eating and Ripley taking a drink.