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    It is done... (14 Posts)

  • Mark Eatherton Mark Eatherton May 18, 2011 @ 12:40 PM
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    It is done...

    No, not the book, THE Colonoscopy...

    I've been putting it off, and when a friend recently popped up with Colon Cancer, I and the TLLA decided to quit stalling and went in and got 'er done.

    Here is a link to an article written by the humorist Dave Barry.

    http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/02/11/v-fullstory/427603/dave-barry-a-journey-into-my-colon.html

    If you've been through this experience, you will CERTAINLY be able to relate...

    If you've not yet had this procedure, and are over the age of 50 or have a family history of colon cancer, get it done. THEN you WILL be able to relate.

    Word of warning. Keep a box of tissues close by when you read the article... I was laughing so hard, I couldn't breath, and my eyes were so full of tears that I had to stop reading and recover... Great stuff. (The article AND the drugs)

    Nothing feels better than knowing what you DON'T have wrong with you :-)

    Enjoy!

    ME

    PS, Book is getting closer.

    ME
    It's not so much a case of "You got what you paid for", as it is a matter of "You DIDN'T get what you DIDN'T pay for, and you're NOT going to get what you thought you were in the way of comfort". Borrowed from Heatboy.
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  • Jean-David Beyer Jean-David Beyer May 18, 2011 @ 2:20 PM
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    If you've been through this experience

    I have been through it several times. I even know the people now. The last time, I had a comedian for an anaesthetist. He told me he was using the same anaesthetic that Michael Jackson was taking. Very reassuring.
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  • Mark Eatherton Mark Eatherton May 18, 2011 @ 2:35 PM
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    He wasn't kidding JD....

    It IS the same drug the MJ OD'd on...

    From what I am told, you are awake and coherent, but you don't remember a thing. I apologized for any thing I might say under the influence of the drug, in advance. The Dr. just laughed, and gave me the shot into la la land.

    ME ZZZzzzzzzzzz...
    It's not so much a case of "You got what you paid for", as it is a matter of "You DIDN'T get what you DIDN'T pay for, and you're NOT going to get what you thought you were in the way of comfort". Borrowed from Heatboy.
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  • Jean-David Beyer Jean-David Beyer May 18, 2011 @ 3:22 PM
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    He wasn't kidding JD....

    I know he was not kidding. But he was still a comedian.

    He then pointed out that he was licensed to prescribe its use in this state, that he was licensed to administer it in this state, that I would be continuously monitored by him during the procedure and he would not leave the room. Also it would be administered for a shorter time than was used for Mr. Jackson.
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  • Sal Santamaura Sal Santamaura May 18, 2011 @ 2:26 PM
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    Had my first one seven years ago...

    and due for a follow up this year.


    The doctor, upon entering the room, spoke a phrase I'd been warned was his standard.  "Sal, are you going to do this like a man?"  Meaning, without sedative.  I said:  "Sure, but let me have my eyeglasses back;  if I'm going to go through it that way I should at least be able to watch the monitor / enjoy the show."


    And so I did.  Fortunately, completely clean, and a fascinating journey the screen provided.  :-)  In addition to the camera, three other capabilities are provided by the probe;  air injection, water injection and suction.  The only thing approaching discomfort was a feeling of bloating when he injected air.  That quickly subsided after suction deflated things each time.


    I highly recommend that anyone comfortable with this approach take the opportunity to forego drugs.  Safer and a more interesting experience.
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  • Mark Eatherton Mark Eatherton May 18, 2011 @ 2:30 PM
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    A bigger man than I...

    I got "photographs" of the procedure after the fact.

    Close enough to reality TV for me :-)

    ME
    It's not so much a case of "You got what you paid for", as it is a matter of "You DIDN'T get what you DIDN'T pay for, and you're NOT going to get what you thought you were in the way of comfort". Borrowed from Heatboy.
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  • Paul Fredricks Paul Fredricks May 18, 2011 @ 3:07 PM
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    Not yet...

    but I would be more inclined to take the drugs and skip the Colonoscopy!
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  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Alan (California Radiant) Forbes May 18, 2011 @ 3:31 PM
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    Diagnostic Tool

    I get one every 3 years because my doctors found and removed some polyps the last time and they want to keep a close eye on me.  Without the test and removal, the polyps could have developed into cancer.  The colonoscopy saved my life.

    I had the same experience as Mark: a contractor friend of mine got colon cancer.  Seeing him lose half his weight from radiation treatment got me off my ass to get the test.  Glad I did.
    This post was edited by an admin on May 18, 2011 3:32 PM.
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  • Clif Heeney Clif Heeney May 20, 2011 @ 12:08 AM
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    Good For You ME

    Hey Mark!
    Had my second one on 2 May.  No polyps and like you and Dave the biggest discomfort was the nuclear laxative.
    Glad to hear that you are good to go for another 5 years!
    It is manly to take care of oneself!  If not for yourself, then do it for the wife and kids!
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  • BobC BobC May 20, 2011 @ 8:29 AM
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    just grit your teeth and do it

    When i was 55 the doctor told me it was time to take a close personal look at things. i was not happy but I begrudgingly went along with the idea. The thing I remember to this day from that experience was walking into the room and seeing a two gallon bottle of lubricant hanging on the wall next to the six foot implement of doom with the camera at the tip.

    I've had it twice since then and I have to say the procedure is nothing compared to the prep the night before. I'm retired now and i intend on hanging around to collect as much social security as i possibly can so I'll be sailing again in a few more years.

    BTW gin works well with the lemon-lime flavored torture.

    Bob
    Burnham V75 Boiler firing at 1.1 Gal per Hr, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge and an Elapsed Time meter
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  • solradman solradman May 23, 2011 @ 2:02 PM
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    Has anyone tried Costa Rica

    Has anyone tried or heard of anyone using the option "cheapcolonscopy.com"  The procedure is done in Costa Rica for $950.00 including airfare.
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  • solradman solradman May 23, 2011 @ 2:03 PM
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    Has anyone tried Costa Rica

    Has anyone tried or heard of anyone using the option "cheapcolonscopy.com"  The procedure is done in Costa Rica for $950.00 including airfare.
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  • Paul Rohrs Paul Rohrs May 24, 2011 @ 8:14 AM
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    Ah. Glad to hear you have the all clear

    Regards,
    Paul
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  • Jean-David Beyer Jean-David Beyer May 24, 2011 @ 9:02 AM
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    Does the EPA know what they are doing?

    That is a lot of BTUs being wasted. Did anyone check the burners for proper combustion?
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