August 9, 2011

Colonscopy

Yesterday my husband had a colonoscopy test done. He wasn’t having any issues but after you turn 50 they recommend you have one done to make sure you don’t have any polyps or other foreign growths in your lower intestine that could turn into tumors or cancer.

The day before, you have to do a colon cleansing by drinking a gallon jug of a salty mixture that gives you stomach cramps and diarrhea, not very pleasant.

I was the keeper of the jug and refilled his cup, making sure he drank the entire potion. I felt like Harry Potter in the Half Blood Prince when Professor Dumbledore had to drink the potion of despair. Those of you who have watched all of the Harry Potter movies or read the books will know what I’m talking about.

They disabled embedding of the video but if you want to see the scene just click on the link below.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

He was also allowed to have Jello, popsicles, broth and clear juice. Steak and potatoes were not on the menu.

You go to the out patient portion of the hospital and have an IV put in. They give you anesthesia that puts you almost under, but not all the way. Most people don’t remember what happens which is good because they run a long tube up your rectum into your colon to take a look around. If there are any growths they scrape them off and do a biopsy. Not something you want to remember or be awake for.

The test went well and he didn’t have any polyps or mushrooms growing in there, so all is well and he doesn’t have to do this again for another five years. His best friend passed away this summer with colon cancer so he was a bit concerned.

Modern medicine has come a long way in finding and curing ailments.

My husband thanks me for his healthy colon because of the healthy food I’ve fed him all these years, so be sure and eat your veggies, fiber and stay away from a high fat diet to keep your colon healthy.