At 10am I got a call from Dr. Peterson's office.
The nurse said that several polyps were completely removed and had they been left alone there was a potential for them to become cancerous.
She said that the doctor recommends the procedure to be repeated in three years. I was hoping to not have another colonoscopy for five years, but consider the alternative.
Yesterday I had Peterson's office draft a statement so that I can include it with my claim for reimbursement for the prep-mix and the fifty dollar co-pay. They said that they could not honor the claim until the colonoscopy was complete, so this letter will show that it was. I drove down to the clinic on the way to FitClub South yesterday, and today I am going to fill out the forms and mail the claim.
If approved, I'll be $150 richer.
And, the nurse said that this was very good news, and to have a Happy Holiday.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Thursday, December 15, 2016
THE DAY OF....Th 12/15/16
I set the alarm for 647 am to be up to drink down the last dose of 'salty Romilar' by seven am. However, it was a restless night, and I was awake before the alarm went off.
Last night was probably the coldest night of the season. Temps in the single digits and windchills far below zero. Today and tonight we are in for more of the same. In fact, it was so cold that I had to bump up the electric blanket a couple of notches and pile on a comforter.
Drank the potion by 710 am and followed it with two hot 16 oz glasses of bouillon (I ran the two glasses of water through the coffee maker). And, I followed with two large cups of rather weak coffee. It says that I am to have no further liquids after 10am, and I will even stop sooner.
Mild cramping, but when it's time to go, it's time to go. Strangest sensation- feels much more like urination than defecation. Stool is getting lighter and lighter (in color), yet I doubt if it will become completely clear. Is this the goal? I just hope that I'm clean enough so that the doctor can get an unobstructed view of the colon.
902 am- I'm not even that hungry. I could eat, but I'm not ravenous by any means. And, I hope I am seventy-two years old before anyone even suggests this again.
Typed 3pm, Thursday- at home and after the procedure:
Joe arrived a few minutes before 11 am, and I didn't even see him drive up the driveway. He stepped in and we talked for a few minutes before leaving for the clinic. We were in the building at 1120 am, and went upstairs to the second floor, East Campus.
I checked in and Joe was given a monitor so that he could be reached when I was finished.
1145 am (when I was supposed to have arrived) I was taken to a small room and I learned that I would have to wait an hour to begin the procedure. As we walked down the hall the nurse said that I could have my driver wait with me, but I felt that Joe might feel more comfortable in the lobby. I should have given him some money to get a coffee or pastry.
I watched almost an entire episode of Flip or Flop and several segments of CNN. The original nurse, an anesthesiologist, and an assistant to the doctor visited me, and it was probably a full hour before I left the room for the surgical area. My watch and clothes were in a bag and I was wearing a hospital gown (minus a back) and I had no real idea how much time had passed.
They put me on the table in the surgery area, hooked up to the pain killer, and out I went. I didn't have any conception of time passing and it seemed like they were bringing me out in seconds.
The doctor came back into the room (I can't remember if Joe was present) and he said that four polyps had been found, but they were not big. But, he recommends that I have the procedure done in another three years. I was hoping that I could wait the full five years.
Joe drove me back home and I walked in the house via the front door with no problems. I made a pot of strong coffee and I just plan to hangout upstairs again tonight. Walking up and down the stairs would probably present an undue hazard since I most definitely will have a few beers later this evening.
I feel no soreness, gassiness, or any ill effect- just a little woozy and slightly unsteady, but glad to be done with it.
Su 12/18/16 Absolutely no ill effects and bowels worked regularly the day after the procedure. The biggest problem was the weather. On Saturday, 12/17, we got hit with the worst ice storm in decades. Westview was impassable and I couldn't leave the house all day. I don't think a weather situation has ever kept me inside- even at the condo. It's Sunday morning and I'm going to spread some cat litter on the driveway and see if I can make it to the FitClub later this afternoon.
Last night was probably the coldest night of the season. Temps in the single digits and windchills far below zero. Today and tonight we are in for more of the same. In fact, it was so cold that I had to bump up the electric blanket a couple of notches and pile on a comforter.
Drank the potion by 710 am and followed it with two hot 16 oz glasses of bouillon (I ran the two glasses of water through the coffee maker). And, I followed with two large cups of rather weak coffee. It says that I am to have no further liquids after 10am, and I will even stop sooner.
Mild cramping, but when it's time to go, it's time to go. Strangest sensation- feels much more like urination than defecation. Stool is getting lighter and lighter (in color), yet I doubt if it will become completely clear. Is this the goal? I just hope that I'm clean enough so that the doctor can get an unobstructed view of the colon.
902 am- I'm not even that hungry. I could eat, but I'm not ravenous by any means. And, I hope I am seventy-two years old before anyone even suggests this again.
Typed 3pm, Thursday- at home and after the procedure:
Joe arrived a few minutes before 11 am, and I didn't even see him drive up the driveway. He stepped in and we talked for a few minutes before leaving for the clinic. We were in the building at 1120 am, and went upstairs to the second floor, East Campus.
I checked in and Joe was given a monitor so that he could be reached when I was finished.
1145 am (when I was supposed to have arrived) I was taken to a small room and I learned that I would have to wait an hour to begin the procedure. As we walked down the hall the nurse said that I could have my driver wait with me, but I felt that Joe might feel more comfortable in the lobby. I should have given him some money to get a coffee or pastry.
I watched almost an entire episode of Flip or Flop and several segments of CNN. The original nurse, an anesthesiologist, and an assistant to the doctor visited me, and it was probably a full hour before I left the room for the surgical area. My watch and clothes were in a bag and I was wearing a hospital gown (minus a back) and I had no real idea how much time had passed.
They put me on the table in the surgery area, hooked up to the pain killer, and out I went. I didn't have any conception of time passing and it seemed like they were bringing me out in seconds.
The doctor came back into the room (I can't remember if Joe was present) and he said that four polyps had been found, but they were not big. But, he recommends that I have the procedure done in another three years. I was hoping that I could wait the full five years.
Joe drove me back home and I walked in the house via the front door with no problems. I made a pot of strong coffee and I just plan to hangout upstairs again tonight. Walking up and down the stairs would probably present an undue hazard since I most definitely will have a few beers later this evening.
I feel no soreness, gassiness, or any ill effect- just a little woozy and slightly unsteady, but glad to be done with it.
Su 12/18/16 Absolutely no ill effects and bowels worked regularly the day after the procedure. The biggest problem was the weather. On Saturday, 12/17, we got hit with the worst ice storm in decades. Westview was impassable and I couldn't leave the house all day. I don't think a weather situation has ever kept me inside- even at the condo. It's Sunday morning and I'm going to spread some cat litter on the driveway and see if I can make it to the FitClub later this afternoon.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Wednesday, 12/14/16 The Day Before
I got up about 8am which is a bit later than I usually sleep. I had eaten more for dinner last night, but only an additional peanut butter sandwich after the usual onion/cabbage/noodle casserole.
This morning after watching an hour episode of CAPTIVE I called Dr. Peterson's office to complete the pre-registration. They were supposed to call me, but I wanted to leave to workout. I had called on Monday to make sure that the time had not changed, and I was shocked (but not surprised) to learn that they had bumped up my time slot. I insisted that I keep the already agreed upon time for Thursday, at 1145am. They said that would be fine, but I was never able to have somebody ask the 'medical questions' that were needed. How critical could these be? If I had any serious medical complications how could they ascertain these the day before the procedure! They finally said that these 'questions' could be answered tomorrow when I arrived for the procedure.
Janny sent me an email this morning and I guess Joe is prepared to take me. Apparently his eyesight is back to normal and he will be able to drive. There was some discussion about his sister driving both myself and Joe, and then Janny joining us after the colonoscopy. Thankfully, this is no longer the plan. Janny also mentioned that she wanted me to bring a few novels that I suggested for her to read since she might have some spare time during her Xmas break.
I went to the YMCA and was on the machines by 1pm and did a three hour workout. I'm having some soreness in my right ankle, so I cut back on the treadmill. Luckily, the steam room was back in operation, and I spent ten glorious minutes soaking up the heat.
I got home shortly before 5pm (when I was supposed to drink down the laxative) and this gave me a chance to watch some Youtube videos about the Suprep colonoscopy procedure. There was almost too much information and some of it seemed to be conflicting. One video even said that you could have a light breakfast the day before the procedure which I had thought was 'a fate worse than death' from what I had been told, and many people seemed to feel that it was almost imperative to drink many, many glasses of liquid in the few days before the procedure. This was not in any of the information that was given to me by the people at Springfield Clinic. And, a couple of the videos said that you shouldn't be left alone the evening after the procedure. One video said that if you are a smoker, you should stop smoking five days before your colonoscopy. Absolute rubbish! Nobody that smokes would be able to stop for five days and then take it back up after the procedure.
I simply put the bottle of laxative in the sixteen ounce plastic up and added water to the fill line. Then I drank two more 16 oz. glasses of water. The entire procedure took less than twenty minutes and the stuff didn't taste too bad. It reminded me of watery cherry cough syrup with a dash of salt. The instructions say that it could be as long as two hours before I experience a reaction, and I began watching POPSTAR: NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING while I wait.
7pm. Felt the urge to purge and it was a liquid geyser. No problem and I'm going to have a couple of beers and a couple of cups of bouillon to remain hydrated. For right now, it seems that my 'lower tank' is quite empty, but I guess I will see. If I have to take the other bottle of medicine tomorrow morning, what could possibly come out?
This morning after watching an hour episode of CAPTIVE I called Dr. Peterson's office to complete the pre-registration. They were supposed to call me, but I wanted to leave to workout. I had called on Monday to make sure that the time had not changed, and I was shocked (but not surprised) to learn that they had bumped up my time slot. I insisted that I keep the already agreed upon time for Thursday, at 1145am. They said that would be fine, but I was never able to have somebody ask the 'medical questions' that were needed. How critical could these be? If I had any serious medical complications how could they ascertain these the day before the procedure! They finally said that these 'questions' could be answered tomorrow when I arrived for the procedure.
Janny sent me an email this morning and I guess Joe is prepared to take me. Apparently his eyesight is back to normal and he will be able to drive. There was some discussion about his sister driving both myself and Joe, and then Janny joining us after the colonoscopy. Thankfully, this is no longer the plan. Janny also mentioned that she wanted me to bring a few novels that I suggested for her to read since she might have some spare time during her Xmas break.
I went to the YMCA and was on the machines by 1pm and did a three hour workout. I'm having some soreness in my right ankle, so I cut back on the treadmill. Luckily, the steam room was back in operation, and I spent ten glorious minutes soaking up the heat.
I got home shortly before 5pm (when I was supposed to drink down the laxative) and this gave me a chance to watch some Youtube videos about the Suprep colonoscopy procedure. There was almost too much information and some of it seemed to be conflicting. One video even said that you could have a light breakfast the day before the procedure which I had thought was 'a fate worse than death' from what I had been told, and many people seemed to feel that it was almost imperative to drink many, many glasses of liquid in the few days before the procedure. This was not in any of the information that was given to me by the people at Springfield Clinic. And, a couple of the videos said that you shouldn't be left alone the evening after the procedure. One video said that if you are a smoker, you should stop smoking five days before your colonoscopy. Absolute rubbish! Nobody that smokes would be able to stop for five days and then take it back up after the procedure.
I simply put the bottle of laxative in the sixteen ounce plastic up and added water to the fill line. Then I drank two more 16 oz. glasses of water. The entire procedure took less than twenty minutes and the stuff didn't taste too bad. It reminded me of watery cherry cough syrup with a dash of salt. The instructions say that it could be as long as two hours before I experience a reaction, and I began watching POPSTAR: NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING while I wait.
7pm. Felt the urge to purge and it was a liquid geyser. No problem and I'm going to have a couple of beers and a couple of cups of bouillon to remain hydrated. For right now, it seems that my 'lower tank' is quite empty, but I guess I will see. If I have to take the other bottle of medicine tomorrow morning, what could possibly come out?
Monday, December 12, 2016
Monday, Dec 12/12/16
This is a followup to the procedure that I had sometime during 2011. I have a colonoscopy ever five years, so now is the time.
I don't have any notes on the original procedure, but I do remember that several days after the colonoscopy I was in grave discomfort due to an impacted bowel (?). I took a laxative and I was backed up for the anesthetic (I think), and I remember that this is the only time in my life that I thought I needed an ambulance. I spent many hours in the downstairs bathroom at the condo- will never forget it!
UPDATE- On Wednesday, 12/14 I read the blog and was happy to learn that this bowel obstruction incident happened after the 2013 hernia procedure so this should not be a factor on Thursday.
This morning I reviewed what I have to do before next Thursday's visit. Joe, and possibly his sister, will be taking me to the Springfield Clinic. I must be there at 1145am, but I was told that I would be out of the building by 230pm.
On Wednesday, 12/14 I begin a totally CLEAR DIET. Just coffee/water/bouillon/beer.
At 5pm on Wednesday I drink the first dose of Suprep
On Thursday at 7am I drink the second dose of Suprep
I plan to do a normal workout on Wednesday and skip Thursday. Hopefully, back to normal on Friday.
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