Another Life Sentence
Many of you have not heard from me in quite some time. I have really been struggling with my digestive issues. Every time I would eat I would get nauseated. I started having more digestive flares and they became more intense.
The flares would start with stomach cramping, pain, and nausea. Many times they would result in diarrhea, extreme nausea, weakness. Since I was having more bad days than good days I decided to pursue answers to this long-standing battle that has been going on in my body for more than twenty years.
I was referred to a new Gastroenterologist in November. Jokingly, I told everyone before the appointment that the first thing he would want to do is a *colonoscopy. He lived up to my expectations. Although I had one about four years ago, considering my family history, and my symptoms, I agreed that it was a good idea.
The preparation for the procedure was devastating on my already weak and frail body. The “cleansing procedure,” along with the complete elimination of food for several hours, was almost more than I could handle. After I spent the evening in the bathroom, I woke up the next day to face battle again. It was hard to believe that there was more “cleansing” to do.
My very supportive husband drove me to the doctor’s office. I felt so bad I didn’t do anything to my hair or makeup. I really have to be feeling bad for me to not at least comb my hair. I just put on some sunglasses and tried to be incognito.
I was so drained that I had trouble answering the questions that the nurses asked me, walking, and even following simple instructions…put it this way…when the nurse came back into the room to prepare me for the procedure I still had on my underwear, lol. She plainly told me to remove them. I told you I was having a very difficult time.
We laughed and then she asked the Nurse Anesthetist to come in and give me something to help me relax. He told me it was going to be Propofol. You may remember this was the drug that Michael Jackson used to help him sleep. When you struggle with insomnia, it can make you do some desperate things. I can understand why he wanted it. The Anesthetist asked me if I had any more questions. I said,“Yes, do you make house calls?” I also battle with being unable to get to sleep and stay asleep. But of course I was only joking because they say sleep with anesthesia is not real sleep…hmm, that’s what they say.
After the procedure I was fine and the doctor said everything looked good. Praise the Lord I do not have colon cancer. I am very thankful for this because as I mentioned there is a family history. My grandmother died of colon cancer. The question remains what do I have??!
For more information on colonoscopies:http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/early-detection/acs-recommendations.html