Monday, January 17, 2022

Hit the ground running....... hello January!

I love January!  The desolation is wonderful; the wildlife move back and the humans are holed up in holiday food coma.  I try to get to the beach as often as possible, Kirby is grateful for January too. 

 





So much has transpired since last posting!   January is a month I try to get my ever growing "to-do" list wrangled back into something I can live with.  Clean the studio, order clay and go pick it up, annual taxes, sales tax, colonoscopy....... ya finally did that little trip.  Tried to get in right before covid hit two years ago and well we all know that story.  Then garden season hit and then show season hit and knowing my family history and my age that little voice became louder and louder about 1 AM.  So I called ....... kill me.   I have a chiropractor who has kept me vertical for 40 years.  I almost never get sick and then it's just sniffles and a day in bed takes me back to GO.  We are very lucky, I think.  

My Dad was hypochondriac and my Mom was the opposite. "you know they start poking around, they're just gonna find something."  And my Dad who drank Metamucil like Koolaid would just shake his head while she muttered under her breath:  Jesus Christ, his gonna shit himself to death.  I am a happy blend of both. 
As two years passed and that nagging voice kept yelling at me in the middle of night I was pretty sure I would be told I had terminal colon cancer, go home and put your affairs in order and we will see you on the flip side.  Yup, that is exactly where I was, so when I had my video consultation with the butt scope guy I had pretty much resigned myself to death.  The consult lasted 10 minutes, on a Friday afternoon, he was matter of fact, prescribed a "new and much better PREP", and see you on Tuesday at the clinic.  OH, Ms Miller, would you be interested in our research study?  Will it help to eliminate colonoscopies?  Perhaps.  OK I'm in.  During the call I explained I didn't eat the traditional 'merican diet of cheese, meat, fat and white bread and ate pretty clean......... except at the holidays.  So he prescribed some stuff called Su-Tabs.   Never heard of it but it was supposed to be so much better that drinking gallons of the other stuff. 

The research lab called me right away and seemed surprised I would volunteer.  You need to give blood.  Fine.  I do home renovation and garden, I give blood regularly.  Well since this is your first colonoscopy your are eligible for 3 studies.  Can you come in Monday at 8:30 am.  Sure!  Monday morning I ran up, gave 11 vials of blood, brought home a cologuard test and picked up the prescription for Su-Tabs.  When I got there she said; We found 4 other studies you qualify for.  Cool!  I would participate no matter what because I have kids and we have a family history of polyps and cancer.  Told the tech.  I want my kids to go to a drive thru;  Here sit on this and download the app.  we'll be in touch in 5 minutes.  My hope for the future and anybody who has family history.  Both arms punched, blood drawn, poop in a can and she gave me something called a clinic card with $750.  WHAAAAT?    WHAT IS THIS FOR?  My van has bumperstickers (more than one) that state loud and clear: "I BELIEVE IN SCIENCE"  The more data you have the quicker we can move this forward.  The tech said they need 125,000 people to participate and they have a hard time finding people to participate!  They thought money would be a good a motivator.  Are you kidding me?  How about your kids might be able to get a blood test to find out if they had the DNA linked to certain cancers?  I asked the tech; so science is taking a hit, even here?  She confirmed.  
 I just don't get it.  However I took the money and bought a new phone.  I had been using a hot spot and a crappy old phone that really didn't work; gonna be a game changer.  

Anyone contemplating a first time colonoscopy I don't think I'd take Su-Tabs.  First off, as I don't do Dr's and medical stuff and I don't have a GP Dr.  this was mind numbingly terrifying.  I had a midwife to deliver my babies and my labor was 10 minutes on the first and 20 minutes on the second ( and I wanted to know what was taking so long!).  Kids were born at dawn and I was home for lunch.  I hate all this stuff! 
Monday night with bruised arms, I downed 12 large pills and drank 16 oz of water.  Waited 20 minutes drank another 16 oz. Waited another 30 minutes and drank another 16 oz of water and waited and waited and waited and googled.


while drinking I decided to read the pamphlet that came with the new and improved PREP.

 ALARM!


and so here is how it went.......

I am here now......... nothing to eat since Sunday night and scheduled for colonoscopy at 2:30 pm on Tuesday.  I am so sick I can't even talk right now.  This is the new and improved stuff, Bullshit.  Took 12 pills at 5 pm.  was supposed to kick in by 7 or 8 pm.  Well it sort of kicked in at 1:15 am... I have been up all night, bloated, chills, nausea, headache.  Took a hot shower, got on my bike at 2 am and rode like the wind for 30 minutes.  Drank hot tea, drank hot water 5 glasses.  Collapsed on the bathroom floor at 5:15 am.  Crawled downstairs at 7 am to take another 12 pills and mandatory 16 oz. of water while Kirby danced at the back door.  Suited up in hat, boots, gloves, goose down parka and rain slicker because it was -1 at 7 am.  On the way back to let the chickens out and give Kirby his morning toot I promptly threw up in the fire pit.  Hmmm no white pills just water and an awful acid taste.  Let the chickens out, Kirby face skied all over the backyard while I puked again and even better shit my pants.  I just stood there, looked up at the moon and said; Take me.  Wrangled the dog back in the house, fed the dog and ran up to burn my clothes and shower.   So on a -1 day in January I was sitting on the crapper and puking into a trash can while my clothes laid in a pile staring back at me.  Honestly I have no words but death was looking real good!  

Butch came home and drove me up to the clinic I prepared for I don't know what but wished I had eaten a handful of glitter before this butt scope!  If you're gonna die go out with sprinkles.  The one saving grace of all this......... they let me keep my alpaca socks on.  Rolled me in, I passed out and woke up 20 minutes later with a clean bill of health.  

Two years of stress just disappeared.  There were projects I had put off that are now viable.  And I have a new phone to record everything! 

Back on my bike 40 minutes everyday, filling a couple orders and I'm sitting here in our first winter storm with the wood stove burping and the coffee is hot.  The taxes are done (as I was sure I was dying).  
 Best news, I don't need to go back for 10 years and I hope it's a drive thru with an app! 

January just sort of sucks sometimes....... 






11 comments:

  1. One of the nurses said some people just love these meds and others have my reaction. OMG why take the chance? Also found out if you are already eating a high fiber diet these pills react just like my experience. There is a ton of research online and wish I had read it before I took this stuff because I don't think I would have gone down this road. good grief hindsight again! My Dad used to go in every year, I honestly don't know how he did it...... 5 years even argh! May the scope be with you Meredith!!!

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  2. Family history keeps me going back. And it's been a good thing. 2 Siblings lost at 60 & 61 5 months apart. Yep, I'll drink the stuff even though I hate it. You are doing great!

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    1. I really hope they get this genetic testing down for my kids! My Grandfather h was one of 12 siblings, each and everyone passed away due to Cancer. I think I would be a lot more proactive instead of throwing a dart and the board and praying for a miss. Keep going! And I think it helps our kids to be proactive too❣️❣️

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  3. OMG ... lol! ... I don't think there are any 'good' preps out there ... and thank you for your science contribution as I am on board with there being an 'app', 'cause the prep part is the worst part of any butt crack procedure. I just had a colonography (further investigation post a colonoscopy in Sept). It was a different prep from the Sept's 40 gallon jug - and different yet again, from the one you describe - but just as horrid.

    Happy to hear you have a clear bill of health. I am still waiting, now a week post my procedure, to hear what's going on.

    I'm at the computer, beginning the tax cycle so in comparison, you are well ahead of the game. Take care ... enjoy the snow, the studio and the winter quiet - personally, I can't wait for Spring! ... b ... ox

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    1. Hubby went through the old butt scope three years ago, the prep just made him mad…… he kept going out to rake leaves. No words sometimes! Oh I have not heard of colonography but I hope there was dancing! At least a few show tunes! I felt like I was talking to the wizard! You can take these 24 pills, (yes, they’re huge) or you can drink this car boy of liquid. 24 pills vs 24 gallons, seemed like such a simple decision. 🤦‍♀️
      And taxes are right up there! And the wait is what kills us! Oh Brenda all good things this year❣️

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  4. That seems a far worse prep than Pirate had when he had his colonoscopies...foul tasting drink yes, Don't go far from the loo, yes...but not the rest!!
    Apart from that, he enjoyed seeing what they saw with the camera ( and when they did the camera up the front pipe too!!) He found it fascinating see what the inside of his body looks like!! No problems thankfully,although his son has had polyps...but on the other hand our diet is very different!!

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  5. I think I'd rather drink pond water than take those dreadful pills again! Oh bravo for the Pirate….. I was so happy they knocked me out! And Yes! Diet! Eat those veggies and porridge! Whole grains! And garden is everything💚🌻 here's to 2022!

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  6. Yay, Sandy ! You’re my hero !
    👍🏼❤️

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    1. Oh V, glad I did it but sheesh! Do I think everybody should go? Absolutely❣️☺️ Hope you’re tucked in tonight in NY it’s a winter wonderland❄️❣️

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  7. That sounds like quite a ride. Now I know not to go the pill route for my next colonoscopy. I buy the stuff you mix. Not the stuff that comes with its own 'flavor' packs (Oh gag me!) Nurse Practitioner at my doc's said to mix it with what I like as long as it's clear. I did no sugar Gatorade, no sugar lemonade and green tea. Also ate lemon sorbet after each dose.
    The worst part is still the prep. And yes I am glad I did it when I did right at the beginning of Covid. Cancerous polyp that was larger than a dime smaller than a nickel. Mask mandate in RI went into effect while I was in the hospital.
    The main thing to remember is that COLONOSCOPYS SAVE LIVES!
    Great that you are free and clear!

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  8. Oh Suzi, you are he cheerleader for why people need to go! Bravo❣️ Wish I would have done it two years ago, would have saved a few sleepless nights. Covid, argh; Everything was shut down. Thank you and so happy to have this behind me😊 now back to gardening, potting and life. Stay warm❣️

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