Sunday, August 28, 2011

Taking and talking options


On Wednesday I wrote that I was getting ready for a colonoscopy as a routine part of my medical care. Yes, more than a teeth cleaning, but in some respects, just as routine. I wrote about this because I thought it might serve as a reminder for some, and as a bit of encouragement for others, to do similarly. Lot of folks keep "meaning to do" tests like this until some major health issue makes them do it.

Some folks felt it was a fairly gross thing to share and others were concerned about my health, otherwise why would I be having this test? I felt a lot of love over the last couple of days and have seen some deeply concerned faces. Am I okay? Yes, I'm okay.


The preparation isn't fun; lots of liquids, none of them tasty, but none of them truly horrendous. I've had truly horrendous and what I had to drink won't make the same list. Having to stay in the house because of all that drinking certainly wasn't my idea of a fun thing to do, even on a Thursday night, but again, not horrendous.

On Fridays at the Endoscopy Center in Pasadena they play 60s music. As I walked to my bed a warmed blanket is brought to cover me. The nurses and everyone who was involved was pretty chipper. When I closed my eyes and listened to the hubbub around it seemed like I was at a 60s retro diner rather than the waiting and recovery area at the center.

This picture of Lili and me is one of my faves: Nana and nieta - just between us.

Simply put, having a colonoscopy, like a lot of other mid-life health check-ups, increases my odds of my continuing to enjoy such moments. That's way better than the other option.

2 comments:

  1. Glad to hear it. My insurance has such a huge deductible that I probably won't ever use it until I'm having an emergency. I consider it a hedge against death but all I can afford. Victor didn't have any insurance until he turned 65. Now he says I've seen more doctors in the last few years then I saw my entire life. When your a light skinned muralist, your skin doctor becomes your best friend

    ReplyDelete
  2. Our son has beautiful pale skin. It took me years before I was in a habit of putting sunscreen on his fair face and body. As I learn more and more about sun related issues I'm glad we began to do so. James now wears a hat - his hairs grown to have more room on an individual basis. The first time he burnt his non-hair-protected was all the lesson he needed. I'm neither one becomes too close with the skin doctor.

    ReplyDelete