It's been awhile; and I miss you guys...

Shayenne said:

Hi Mary!!!
It's so nice to see you back here! I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, did she have cancer long? I know hearing you have cancer is a scary thing, so think positively, and if you ever do hear you have it, just breathe as they say here, and come right here for some comfort! we are all in this together, and you may be worrying about nothing! But, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers and hope your colonoscopy goes well!

When I had my colonoscopy, the prep was the worse of it, just drinking that nasty gallon of stuff, was bad...but it's just to clean you out, you will be on the potty for awhile, so maybe some word games, and magazines would be helpful in there LOL..you will be pooing till it's clear water come out of there, so to say, but then when you go for the colonoscopy itself, they put me in a "twilight" state, which I actually fell asleep... they gave me some great drugs, which knocked me out, I didn't feel a thing, and I woke right up, sat up and they gave me some ice chips to eat after in the recovery room, till I was able to get back to my hospital room. It was a piece of cake, very quick, and was very painless for me. I know some others who had nightmares with their colonoscopy, they weren't sedated enough or something, and they felt it, but make sure the doctor has you good and drugged up, and tell them not to touch you till you're out like a light!

I wish you luck in your exam, and don't worry about things that don't need any worrying about yet, you'll be in my prayers~

Hugsss!
~Donna

lisa42 said:

definitely a neccessary evil
Hi Mary,

Yeah, I guess I'd call a colonoscopy a neccessary evil. I can understand your trepidation in having one done, too. But, you definitely need to go through with having it done. I'm sure you'll get good results and will be relieved when it's all over.
I had no problem with actually having the colonoscopy when I had mine done. The sigmoidoscopy was another story because they normally do not give the sedation for a sigmoidoscopy like they do for the colonoscopy. I solved that problem the next time I needed a sigmoidoscopy- I just requested to get the sedation & there was no problem- they did it and it went fine. For me it was just a little bit uncomfortable- for most people I've heard about and for myself, the stuff they give you does the trick. It makes you so sleepy and out of it that you really don't register what they're doing as pain. It's kind of weird- it gives you somewhat of an amnesia experience, or at least it did to me. Make sure you have someone there with you for when the doctor comes in afterward. I had one after my radiation which was good news & I asked my mom "when is the doctor going to come in to talk to me?" She laughed and said "he just left and you already talked to him and asked him several questions. He told you everything was fine." So weird- I didn't remember it all at that time. About an hour later, bits of it started to come back into my memory.

I'm sure you'll be fine, but I'll be praying for you for things to come out smoothly (pun intended!) and for you to not be too anxious about it all.
God bless,
Lisa

VickiCO said:

Welcome Mary
I am sorry about your Mom. I am glad she passed surrounded by her loves ones.

As others said, the actual colonoscopy is usually trouble free. You are in the twilight zone. The prep is worse than the procedure...Donna told it like it is. But you can do it. Ask your doctor for the latest prep routine...some docs are moving away from the nasty drink. I take pills, can't remember the name right now, then drink gallons of water and it works for me. Occasionally people wake up during the procedure and then it is painful. Talk to your doctor and tell him you are scared, and I'll bet he makes sure you don't wake up.

Good luck, and good for you for being proactive!

Many hugs, Vicki

PamPam2 said:

Scope-No Fear Here
Hi Mary
I have 8 scopes in the past 5 years and getting ready for Number 9 this summer. Have never been conscious for any of them. Just be assertive, do not let them start if you are awake and can feel anything, they are quite capable of making sure you do not have any discomfort during the procedure. I have learned to be very proactive and assertive with my health care through my cancer journey, I know what size needles work for me, and where they have the best chance of getting blood draws, if a nurse does not seem capable to me, I make them send for one who is good at doing draws with small/difficult veins, and so on. Good luck with your scope and wishing you the best of all possible results!
Pam