My First Colonoscopy - No Regrets
I've had this colonoscopy on the calendar for roughly 4 months, but I was toying with postponing to another year. Excuses: I had a negative Cologuard last year, I hate needles, I hate hospitals, I hate the beep boop machines, heard about Prep and already sounds like I'd hate it, I hate it all. But a few weeks ago, a dear friend of mine found out she had Stage 4 colon cancer and it made it very difficult for me to make excuses anymore.
Low residue diet: Tried to keep it light and easy both days with congee (rice and chicken broth), Campbell's Chicken and Rice soup, white rice and lemon pepper tuna, applesauce, Saltines, etc.
Liquid diet: Black coffee, lemon ginger tea (this turned out to be my favorite out of all the liquids), Glacier Cherry Gatorade, white cranberry juice, lemon-lime Jell-O, Swanson Ramen Broth, Pacific Low Sodium Chicken Broth (I didn't enjoy this as much as the Ramen Broth - with all the sweet drinks, I needed more savory), Dr. Pepper. Every time I got hungry, I just slammed another drink and tried to rotate as much as possible.
Dulcolax/Miralax: I did not feel the affects of Dulcolax until an hour before my Miralax dose. And once Miralax was in my system, oooh boy. I barely slept but it was nice binge watching a favorite show (even if I had to constantly hit pause). I am grateful I bought a pack of adult diapers because that was rough!
9 AM Colonoscopy: Hired non-emergency medical transport for round trip pickup (roughly same price as Uber/Lyft). I didn't need to do a pregnancy test because I was on my period. Nurse was surprised by my heart rate and blood pressure, but it lowered once I settled underneath the blanket. I did have to use the bathroom right before they wheeled me back, which amazed me given all the trips all night and early morning. All I remember is that they asked me to move to one side and that they started the Propofol IV.
I woke up to the nurse announcing the arrival of my Saltines and cranberry juice. I asked her how did she know I wanted Saltines and cranberry - and apparently I had a whole conversation with her that I do not remember. I did ask her if I said anything weird and she said no but who knows lol. I also apparently talked to the doctor about the 3 polyps that were removed - but again no memory of that conversation. After the juice and crackers, I felt alert. Got dressed, read through the discharge documentation, and got wheeled out to my ride.
Showered when I got home and had frozen Pad See Ew with more Gatorade. Napped for 2 hours and had a burrito bowl. Feeling tired, but alert.
If you are scared, like I was scared, hang in there. No regrets, I am so thankful they removed 3 polyps.
Thank ya'll for being supportive and informative! Special thanks to my prep buddies yesterday!