Colonoscopy ... the real gift of the Golden Agers.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

So I've been a tad quiet for a couple of days. Apparently, even though I wasn't healthy enough to have the second knee done, I was fine for this lovely procedure.

The prep, Thursday evening, was sooo much fun. There is just something about drinking a gallon of gator aid with sand in it that just really makes my night. Lets not forget the fever, chills and the shakes that accompany the other side affects (well actually, that is the intended effect ... I guess).

The actual procedure was a breeze ... literally. I have a whole new meaning of "pumping air up your skirt". The "guys" on my team where super nice and helped to restore my faith in the VA. A friend of mine that volunteers at the VA said I probably have a warning in my files now for all the fuss I made about missing my second knee ... if I do ... so be it. We all know "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" ... no pun intended.

Could of been worse, I did compose a letter to our President detailing all the hurdles and run around I got, but, decided to just have it on file, in case I go through this again this fall, you know, just add names and dates and in the mail. I think the president just might "enjoy" what happens to Vets at the VA. Worse case, I am Medicare eligible in August ... so ... I can have a regular for profit doctor do it. Bet that won't take 6-8 weeks to get in.

All went well ... I had a tiny polyp that was removed. Whole thing took about 45 minutes (actual nite nite time), got there are 8:15 was on my way home at 10:30 or so.

While there, I won the lottery ... because I had a tiny polyp, I get to repeat this every five years now ... yippee, I am soooooo excited. I should see the biopsy report in a week, but, the doc said he didn't see anything to be worried about (actually he said nothing angry). My question was, if there's nothing to worry about, why do I have to go through this every five years now? Apparently polyps are like weeds, once you have one ... all their little kin folk tend to show up.

I still feel like a dirty dish rag, but, better than I did Thursday evening. I'm guessing by tomorrow I'll be back to my cheery self.

[rhino 2]

Well at least it's all behind you for another five years......

[GrandpaDave]

I had one about a year ago and after it the doctor told my wife he's 'Clean as a Whistle' so we'll see him in 10 years.

[Fearless]

So I've been a tad quiet for a couple of days. Apparently, even though I wasn't healthy enough to have the second knee done, I was fine for this lovely procedure.

The prep, Thursday evening, was sooo much fun. There is just something about drinking a gallon of gator aid with sand in it that just really makes my night. Lets not forget the fever, chills and the shakes that accompany the other side affects (well actually, that is the intended effect ... I guess).

The actual procedure was a breeze ... literally. I have a whole new meaning of "pumping air up your skirt". The "guys" on my team where super nice and helped to restore my faith in the VA. A friend of mine that volunteers at the VA said I probably have a warning in my files now for all the fuss I made about missing my second knee ... if I do ... so be it. We all know "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" ... no pun intended.

Could of been worse, I did compose a letter to our President detailing all the hurdles and run around I got, but, decided to just have it on file, in case I go through this again this fall, you know, just add names and dates and in the mail. I think the president just might "enjoy" what happens to Vets at the VA. Worse case, I am Medicare eligible in August ... so ... I can have a regular for profit doctor do it. Bet that won't take 6-8 weeks to get in.

All went well ... I had a tiny polyp that was removed. Whole thing took about 45 minutes (actual nite nite time), got there are 8:15 was on my way home at 10:30 or so.

While there, I won the lottery ... because I had a tiny polyp, I get to repeat this every five years now ... yippee, I am soooooo excited. I should see the biopsy report in a week, but, the doc said he didn't see anything to be worried about (actually he said nothing angry). My question was, if there's nothing to worry about, why do I have to go through this every five years now? Apparently polyps are like weeds, once you have one ... all their little kin folk tend to show up.

I still feel like a dirty dish rag, but, better than I did Thursday evening. I'm guessing by tomorrow I'll be back to my cheery self.

Wow! God bless you Fuzzz................. Fred

[Burnerboy]

Yep! Had my colonoscopy, a few months ago, the hardest part of this whole procedure is actually drinking that bottle of crap all night long....[O'yea running to the bathroom, and just hoping you make it on time, also sucked] The operation itself was not so bad, (of course I had them put me to sleep) seemed like one minute later they were waking me up and sending me home.. Not soooooooooooo bad,

Glad it's only every five years, instead of a monthly thing!

YEP, IT SUCKS GETTING OLD INSN'T IT???????????

Ronnie

[Fearless]

I know how the event is planned out no fun butt no pun intended. This procedure easily saves your life. I had one also 10 years ago. God bless we all get cranky at our age. Fred

[graygoat]

I got a letter saying I am due for my 3rd one as soon as I get it scheduled. First 2 were 5 years apart, they found some "weeds" last time, so I get the pleasure every 3 yrs now.

[Sidecarbill]

Early detection is the key to surviving the big C.

[Rmitchell55]

I had one done back in December. Every thing went fine. Watched it all on TV. Doc finds a spot that he wants a closer look at, just hits it with a spray of warm water and then hits the vacuum pump. Had about a gallon jar of brown water attached to the scope when he finished. Said see you in ten years. When he finished with the colonoscopy, he told me to roll over on my back and we are going to do a endoscopy, but we will give you something to relax your throat. Next thing I remember was them waking me up and telling me that we are finished, you can get dressed and go home now.

[lgjhn]

You got it behind you now and with only 1 polyp, you are blessed.

I've had to go thru 6 of these so far in my life since colon cancer runs in our family. They got 17 polyps on my first one, 6 on my 2nd one, none on my 3rd, 2 on my 4th, none on my 5th and 1 on my 6th.

The prep has always been the same for all of em, but the knockout drugs that are now used are way better than the ones used when I first started. The first drugs were something else. Kinda of a drug cocktail with sodium pentathaol side effects.....weird. Now, it's like a light switch: awake/out/awake like nothing happened.

FWIW, there are no symptoms to colon cancer. By the time there are "symptoms", it's usually way too late. I would much rather endure the colonoscopies than to go thru what my dad went thru.

[2006gold]

I'm due. Doctor's office called a couple of days ago. Going to hold off a bit. Had the retina in my right eye detach, had surgery for that last Wednesday and still recovering. Having to stay kinda quiet or get yelled at by the better half - a bit over protective, she is.

[vwbug72501]

I had one done back in December. Every thing went fine. Watched it all on TV. Doc finds a spot that he wants a closer look at, just hits it with a spray of warm water and then hits the vacuum pump. Had about a gallon jar of brown water attached to the scope when he finished. Said see you in ten years. When he finished with the colonoscopy, he told me to roll over on my back and we are going to do a endoscopy, but we will give you something to relax your throat. Next thing I remember was them waking me up and telling me that we are finished, you can get dressed and go home now.

Hope he used a different scope for the 2nd procedure!!

[1dn5up]

Since when does the a.. man solicit business?

They will call you to see if your still alive , then bill Medicare $55.00 for a consultation fee. It adds up , and at least pays the salary of there employees. Check your statement. I called Medicare about it. If they talk to you for 20 minutes or longer , they can do it.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I had one about a year ago and after it the doctor told my wife he's 'Clean as a Whistle' so we'll see him in 10 years.

That's funny .. that's exactly what they told me ten years ago ... be careful, that's how they got me ...

[FuzzyWuzHe]

It's good to know I'm not the only one undergoing this slightly degrading procedure. In fact, there's a sort of comfort knowing I'm not alone in all this. Guess it's true, misery loves it some company.

I am truly blessed and I know this procedure, no matter how degrading and uncomfortable is necessary. My father died of liver and lung "C" and my mom is a breast "C" surviver. Alan has no desire to mess with the big "C". One of the guys in my Bible study just recently had a bout with Colon "C". Praise God he is doing well and has be declared "C" free.

This whole procedure falls in the category of "I'd rather hit my thumb with a hammer" category, but, if your doctor recommends one, and I guess the only qualification is being over 50, do it. It's really not that bad, and as several others have stated, the life you save may be your own.

[rwhgme]

When I had mine, as a former singer, the doctor said I sang.."I feel pretty, oh so pretty", over and over! Also, I told Carolyn to pick a photo and put it on Facebook. I don't remember that...but a friend took the photo, superimposed my face on it, and said they DID find my head up my ass like many friends have said...you gotta love friends!

[oldprowler]

Gonna be long. Several years ago I was doing the annual physical thing. Since I had just passed 60 without ever having the PSA done the Doctor highly recommended it. No problem, just take a little blood and send it off to the lab. Wait 6 to 10 days for the results. Done deal. About 5 days later I get a call from the Doctors office saying that my PSA came back 50 points higher than acceptable and that I had an appointment with a Dr. in Amarillo THE NEXT DAY for some more testing and that I should bring someone to drive me home.

I called a buddy and he was up for a little ride and some beer drinkin so off we went. Got to the Doctors office, talked a bit, dropped trousers and got onto the table. I should have had some concerns then when my buddy started laughing and asking the Dr. if it was duck season already. I was not concerned until he rammed that 12 gauge sized tube (you know where) and started target shooting with these damn hollow pointed darts. Of course all the while he is cautioning me to "lay still so I don't mess something else up".

Mashing my thumb with a hammer would have been childs play, indeed I would have personally mashed any part of my anatomy with a sledge (y'all know where I mean) to get this procedure over with. Like all fun things it did finally end, his nurse stuffed a bale of cotton up you know where and said you are good to go. No drinking for 2 days and we will call you with the results when we get them. The 110 mile ride home was more than a bit uncomfortable with my buddy bitching about all the pot holes he was hitting and no beer.

2 days later I get a call from the original Dr. with the great news that the lab had messed up my PSA testing and one of the technicians had "misplaced a decimal point". Of course I did forward all the bills resulting from the biopsy to the lab for payment.

[rhino 2]

Gonna be long. Several years ago I was doing the annual physical thing. Since I had just passed 60 without ever having the PSA done the Doctor highly recommended it. No problem, just take a little blood and send it off to the lab. Wait 6 to 10 days for the results. Done deal. About 5 days later I get a call from the Doctors office saying that my PSA came back 50 points higher than acceptable and that I had an appointment with a Dr. in Amarillo THE NEXT DAY for some more testing and that I should bring someone to drive me home. I called a buddy and he was up for a little ride and some beer drinkin so off we went. Got to the Doctors office, talked a bit, dropped trousers and got onto the table. I should have had some concerns then when my buddy started laughing and asking the Dr. if it was duck season already. I was not concerned until he rammed that 12 gauge sized tube (you know where) and started target shooting with these damn hollow pointed darts. Of course all the while he is cautioning me to "lay still so I don't mess something else up". Mashing my thumb with a hammer would have been childs play, indeed I would have personally mashed any part of my anatomy with a sledge (y'all know where I mean) to get this procedure over with. Like all fun things it did finally end, his nurse stuffed a bale of cotton up you know where and said you are good to go. No drinking for 2 days and we will call you with the results when we get them. The 110 mile ride home was more than a bit uncomfortable with my buddy bitching about all the pot holes he was hitting and no beer.

2 days later I get a call from the original Dr. with the great news that the lab had messed up my PSA testing and one of the technicians had "misplaced a decimal point". Of course I did forward all the bills resulting from the biopsy to the lab for payment.

That happened to me....A huge spike in my PSA.....So they just took another blood test a day or two later, And it came out normal , And a month or two later , Tested again and normal,

Been normal for over 4 years now.........

[hogcowboy]

I don't go to a doctor unless I'm on my death bed. Is a PSA test done now and no more digit probe? I used to go regularly to the doctors office but since my wreck I want nothing to do with them(I'm ready for my maker). So just curious if the regular prostrate exam has changed that much.

[1dn5up]

After my normal physical, I had a high PSA. So the MD recommended a a.. man . Did the biopsy thing , all the tests were ok. I go yearly for the hand job , but he recommended me to get another. NOT GONA HAPPEN ! Been taking a pill daily for a few yrs, which keeps the plumbing humming