For Science!

[lydamorehouse]

 I am of the age for a colonoscopy.  In fact, I'm about three years past the time when doctors recommend you have your first one. I have been dragging my feet (plus pandemic.) However, this year, I determined I should finally get this procedure done.

I checked a box on my form that said I would be wiling to take part in any studies they might be doing, and, lo, I was chosen!

I just got off the porch where a nurse took SIX VIALS of my blood (nurse, or vampire???) to send off to some processing place in California. I am part of a study that is trying to determine whether or not colon cancer/polyps, etc. can be detected by a blood test.  The idea being: a lot of people (like me) avoid this procedure for a lot of reasons and wouldn't it be nifty if there were a reliable alternative?

Being part of this study has actually made me look forward to doing this procedure. I mean, I am still not looking forward to the prep?? But, everytime I think about getting cold feet, I say to myself, "No! I must prevail! FOR SCIENCE!!"

Comments

[bcholmes]

< Magnus Pyke voice > SCIENCE! </ Magnus Pyke voice >

[lydamorehouse]

Yes!!

[sabotabby]

They are unpleasant. All the luck.

[lydamorehouse]

I am starting the ugly part of the prep today, so thank you.

[squirrelitude]

Oh neat, they were able to do a porch call?

I didn't have any luck in convincing the physical therapist I saw in December that most of what we were doing could be done outdoors, where it was safer, and I wasn't sure if that kind of attitude was prevalent in the medical community.

[lydamorehouse]

They did do a porch call! This guy was very good about the whole thing. It was a little chilly to be totally outdoors, but he was very comfortable doing things right on our front porch.

[j00j]

That study sounds awesome!
If you want prep tips let me know. I had to do it twice in a month due to the whole "your appendix looks suspicious" episode.

[applenym]

Thank you for doing your bit for science!

I get a colonoscopy every couple of years, and the stuff they use to knock me out has really improved over time. Before my last procedure, the anesthesiologist was super excited to tell me all about how great the new meds were, which was nice to hear since he was about to inject me with them. But he was right! They wore off more quickly and I didn't feel like a zombie all day afterwards.

My #1 recommendation is to have hard candy ready to suck on after you've drunk a cup of the prep liquid. Root beer flavor is especially good at masking the taste.

[lydamorehouse]

Oh, that is excellent advice. I'm glad I finally saw this today, too, since today is the day of the ugly prep.