Stepping on my soap box...
Today I had a colonoscopy. It was not my first and won't be my last. Many of you know that my Mom died of colon cancer in 1996. She was only 67 years old and died four weeks after the diagnosis. There are thousands of colon cancer deaths in this country every year that don't need to happen. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in this country (led only by lung cancer). In many cases it can be detected in the precancerous or early stages by a simple procedure and taken care of on the spot. Yes, it's gross and not a pleasant subject. But there is no pain involved during the procedure, NONE! And I can attest to the fact that the preparation involved has improved immensely in the last 5 years. In 2001 it was horrible. I had to drink a gallon of the nastiest stuff you can imagine and it made me so sick that about 2/3 of the way through I couldn't keep it down. I didn't know if it would even work well enough for me to have the exam being that I couldn't keep it inside to do the job. Needless to say, I have been dreading having to do it again. The 5-year mark was in December when I was in Hawaii, then we were coming to Montana, then we were moving, then I had to find a new doctor, then...there were a million excuses. But I knew it had to be done. My new doctor in Eureka set me up with a specialist in Kalispell and a nurse did my consultation over the phone saving me a trip to the Flathead. She assured me that the cleansing procedure was so much easier now and she was right. Three doses last night and three this morning in 8 ounces of 7UP each time. Yes, I got a little nauseous this morning, but some water and a banana Popsicle helped that. I know now that I won't have to dread the next time so much. Still not pleasant, but not so bad and SO IMPORTANT. It's important for you, too, even if you don't have a family history of colon cancer. If you are over 50 or have a family member who has had colon cancer and haven't had this done or are over due, PLEASE call your doctor and make that appointment. The life you save may be your own and if you are reading this, you are important to me!
(For more information from the Mayo Clinic, click HERE .)
