I'm back from the Colonoscopy!

Thanks for caring, but I'm back from the colonoscopy and actually sitting on my derriere as we speak. I feel okay now. But here's how it all went down:

I spent yesterday evening do what they call the "prep". It is an awful way to spend any time, but it had to be done. I will never drink Gatorade again.

All night long, some dog was running around the neighborhood barking its fool head off. It sounded lost and locked out. If it weren't so dark, 3am and such, I would have gone to see what was happening. This went on for hours. So add to my mix - total sleep deprivation.

I also had a headache from Hell! This may be due to low blood sugar, no coffee, I don't know. But after "the prep", even the headache wasn't as bad in perspective.

My mom and I headed off the clinic for my early appt. I was so happy to be there to end my hunger and fast! Maybe that's why they prep you too - the procedure seems like a cake walk after all that you do for two days. Basically after the IV was in, it was a piece of cake. They give you that dreamy twilite sleep med and you are out. I did wake up just before they were done, but didn't feel anything - really! I guess I spent about an hour drifting in recovery and then they sent me home.

Why did I get a colonoscopy at age 43? My dad has a history of polyps - lots of them. And these are what can turn to cancer if left alone. I saw that teary farewell to Joel Siegel earlier this year and vowed I would get a test. My sister-in-law's dad died of colon cancer because he never saw a doctor until it was way too late. It turns out I made the right decision when I asked my doctor if I should go. She basically said Hell, yeah - in doctor jargon of course, when I reminded her this summer about my dad's history.

My results - 3 polyps were found and removed. Now I await the pathology to make sure they are benign (noncancerous). I will unfortunately now have to get this procedure more often. They say it takes 5-10 years for polyps to grow, but once they know you get them, they check you a lot more. It's certainly better than getting colon cancer.

I'll take this final moment, before I go back to bed, to say - get yourself checked if you need to - don't wait til age 50 if your family has had any polyps or cancer - my doctor says it is imperative to do this sooner! - now I'm off to bed!