Oboy, it's about that time again. And ironically, March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. What better way to mark the occasion?
Let me share some details so that those of you with recent experience can let me know if I'm missing anything.
I posted on this thread (nearly five years ago) about my last colonoscopy:
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/world-class-colonoscopy-52370-2.html#post1059446
Exam #2 raises the stakes a little. Last August I had an emergency appendectomy (
Lifestyles In Financial Independence: Your Mortality - Military Guide) and the biopsy found a carcinoid tumor on my appendix. I thought cancer was a binary occurrence (you either have it or you don't) but apparently there's a gray area of "not really cancerous... not just yet". Coupled with my Dad's history of intestinal polyps (and prostate cancer), and the polyp found on my last colonoscopy, I'm sure that this upcoming inspection is going to find a few interesting material deficiencies.
To my surprise, this time I might actually get a world-class colonoscopy. Instead of being referred to the military's Tripler Army Medical Center, I'm going to a tiny little boutique clinic (Pacific Endoscopy,
Endoscopy Center Pearl City, HI - Pacific Endoscopy Center) much closer to home. I'm supposed to sign up on their website and upload important documents like medical directives. They're even having a special this month: a free prostate exam with every colonoscopy.
I asked if they have a waiting room for my spouse, and they said "Sure-- Wal-Mart
and a Starbucks!" Yeah, definitely a step up from Tripler.
The prep has apparently improved, too. The big event happens Thursday afternoon, and Tuesday night will be my last meal. There are the usual warnings about abstaining from nuts, fruits, and veggies. Wednesday will be a fasting day, although I can drink as much clear liquid as I want. (My preferred approved beverages are water, green tea, and coffee.) This time I'll be chugging MoviPrep, one quart at 5 PM Wednesday and the next quart at 5 AM Thursday.
Ideally I'll have a great prep and they'll be able to see clearly now.
Their anesthetic of choice is propofol, with a Versed chaser available upon request. I'm told that I respond really well to propofol (not that I can remember anything, which seems to be the whole point) so I'll try to pass up the Versed.