Colonoscopy
 

Colonoscopy tomorrow. Don't forget to get yours done.
A fellow member in my bike club now has only a few months to live from colon cancer.
It was a wake up call for all of us.

Hope everything comes out alright.

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(Had my first a few years ago - easy process for the most part)

Thanks Phil for bringing this up. Too often we here of someone having symptons of a colon problem and it is too late. This should be on all 50+'s radar if you have not had a colonoscopy, please do so soon. Don't wait for symptons.

I had mine about 5 years ago. All clear fortunately.

The worst part was when I got home and took the bandaid off my arm where they ran the IV. In other words, it was a painless procedure, but it is one of those things that thinking about it is much worse than the actual event.

Dan

Not only is it an easy process, I also got a nifty picture of the inside of my colon. It looked marvelous too! Can't wait for my next one.

That would be your bicycle seat's view. Thank you for not shareing that with us.

Yep, time for another one. Thanks for the reminder

Have my third one scheduled the end of Feb.,,since that stuff killed my dad and most of his bros and sisters, never regret doing it...
Bud

I've posted about this several times, but it bares repeating. A colonoscopy is an essential procedure once you hit 50. I was diagnosed with colon cancer at 47, and in a few months will be 5 years post-chemo for stage 4 cancer. A colonoscopy is one of the few procedures that can actually prevent cancer - by removing re-cancerous polyps, the doc can keep the polyps from developing, thereby preventing the disesase. Colon cancer, being almost wholly preventable, is a miserable, worthless way to die. In this case, an ounce of prevention is worth several tons of cure. To cure me, it took seven surgeries (three major), three series of chemo, radiation, and thousands of miles on my bike. Since my diagnosis, I've had about five colonoscopies, and while they're not fun, the procedure isn't nearly as bad as it's sometimes made out to be.
The greatest risk factor for colon cancer is a sedentary lifestyle, so folks on this forum are probably at a lower risk than most (I'm very sorry to hear about your buddy, Phil. Like I said, it is a miserable way to die). I tend to be a bit of a colonoscopy evangelist; an odd calling I'll admit, but a necessary one. I suggest that everyone on this forum resolve this year to encourage five friends, neighbors, relatives, riding buddies, or strangers to get the test this year. Several people have thanked me for it, and they will thank you.

I had my first one on the 3rd of January this year. What a piece of cake.

Strange results though....my digestive tract is fine but the doc found a nodule on my Prostate. I'm currently awaiting biopsy results. My Urologist feels that the Gastro-doc did a supurb job by finding the lump. My General Practioner has been actively watching for any prostate problems as I'm at a prime age, 59. So this is either a very recent development or it slipped under his radar.

If the Colonoscopy doesn't save you one way, it may save you in another way. It's also a legal way to "Moon" professional people!! I've "Mooned" three Doctors in only four weeks. :D One of them got even though. :eek:

Like everyone says, these are more than worth doing and not so bad. I have a strange sense of humor and found some parts of the whole experience nearly had me laughing out loud.

-My local hospital does all their colonoscopies in a big batch on certain days of the week. I was in a room full of complete strangers and knew exactly what would happen to all of them in the next hour.

-I'm a really small guy and was given a hospital gown that I could have used for a parachute. "That's the only size we have". I had to hold it together to avoid stepping on the dumb thing and creating a wardrobe malfunction, in the middle of a busy corridor.

-When I was wheeled into place for the procedure, the overhead monitor showed an expansive view of some sort of hideously magnified, malignant looking purple tissue. God, what's that? Turns out the probe was lying on a towel.

Fortunately mine came back with negative results and I'm good for 10 years.

The worst part for me was drinking that nasty stuff the night before. HORRIBLE.

Are you all clear yet? yuch!

I just did mine last October and found that I was developing diverticulitis. So with a variation to my diet, hopefully I am a better man for it. Its an important reminder you send out.

Then you're due for your next one. Come on down!

No joke, my very first colonoscopy was performed by Doctor Klotz!

Colonoscopy - Going where no man has gone before.

Definitive proof that your head, in fact, is not up your ass.

I procrastinated on my first one until last March at age 60 and luckily, everything was fine. This was at the hospital I've worked at for 24 years and the doc and nurse I had known for a long time - nice to have someone probing my private bits that I knew and trusted.

Recent studies have suggested that a sigmoidoscopy may be just as effective as a colonoscopy in screening for colorectal bad stuff, with less prep and less risk from perforation, bleeding or sedation issues. Not aware of any move away from colonoscopies, though. Talk with your healthcare provider about what is best for you.

I went out for a nice ride 6 hours after getting home from my scoping.

This is a huge improvement. When I had my first one about 15 yr ago, I was on a liquid diet for 3 days for the prep.

The second time I had the pills. I think the liquid worked the best with only one day of liquid diet.

The liquid tastes much better now. It comes with 5 flavor packets, I chose cheery. Not great, but not real bad either.

I had my first at 65, clean bill of health - Tthey said either 10 or 15 yeears for the next one. Definitely not 5 years.

Had my first last year, age 56. They removed one small polyp (5mm). I was told to have another in 4 years.

My wife's diverticulitis last fall was a blessing in disguise. The Doctor had her get a colonoscopy to make sure she didn't have anything else wrong in there. She's 48, so about a year and a half early to have one normally. they found a small polyp down low they got out with the scope and another one she had to have surgically removed that was high enough that a sigmoidoscopy wouldn't have found it. It was benign, but those can change over time.

I'm looking forward to having mine next year.

Interesting procedure. The put me on the table and started an IV.
They said it would just relax me. When they turned the drug on, I winked out like a light. Wow good drugs. I had a couple of memories after that, but after a nap at home I finally was among the rest of the world. After a couple of weeks I mentioned that it was strange the doctor hadnt got back with the results. She said what do you mean--after you got dressed the doctor came in and told me everything was excellent and I would not have to come back for at least 5 years. Ha I remember nothing of the conversation.

I had some throat surgery a few years ago. The anesthesiologist was Dr. Payne and the surgeon was Dr. Hackett. Seriously.

Back on topic, I had my first colonoscopy about 6 years ago. My Dr. tells me right now I'm on a ten year cycle, so according to him, I'm good for a few more years. For me, the worst part was that before the prep was finished, I couldn't find a toilet paper in the world that was soft enough.

Just make sure when you get the endoscopy/colonoscopy two for one special that they put the tubes in the correct places and don't reverse them!