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Linda, so happy to hear you are getting a colonoscopy. The procedure is actually a short 15 minute task. And most people may not realize that this 15 minute investment of time may save you from cancer. Yes, if pre-cancerous polyps are removed you just might have dodged going down a tougher road. The prep is certainly the more challenging part of the process but so worth it. 

Cheers to you for making a good choice and try not to worry too much about things that simply may not be an issue. :-)

LindaK. said:

It's a breeze

I had my first colonoscopy last summer, at age 54.  I know I was 4 years behind schedule, but my husband was being treated for colon cancer for two years and then passed away 2 years ago.  Of all people, I should have done it at 50.  My husband was diagnosed at age 59 and from the time he turned 50 until the cancer showed, he had 4 colonoscopies.  He had polyps removed at all 4, we were never told any were cancerous or pre-cancerous (I have my doubts about his care back then).  My test was easy, even the prep wasn't too bad since I knew what to expect since my husband had so many.

I had al ittle bit of a meltdown in the "holding cubicle" since they were running behind (ha ha) and I had to sit there all alone for about an hour.  I had a lot of time to think about colon cancer and how my husband may have felt waiting for all his colonoscopies, he had 6 total in 10 years.  It felt like torture laying there in just a gown with no one to talk me down and none of the good drugs to calm me down.  They wheeled me in and the first thing I noticed was the music playing, the song was Boston's "More Than a Feeling" and I thought "Hey, this doctor is pretty cool" and the nurse laughed at the song.  Boston was one of my husband's favorite bands so I took it as a sign from him.  They told me I would probably just fall asleep but I didn't.  I was awake the entire time but had no pain.  The next song that came on was Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" which I could also relate to.  I must have had the perfect combo of meds since I was awake and talking to the staff but had no discomfort. 

Like Phil said above, don't worry about anything until you need to.  I had one small polyp removed which was non cancerous and have to go back in 5 years.

Good luck

Linda

Always good to see you here; helping others along the path. 

TRU