If you’re reading this magazine, it means you want more information about the world around you. That’s a good thing. Sometimes, though the information we need is inside us … way inside us.
I had my first colonoscopy a few weeks back. I put it off as long as I could until my primary care physician said, “Go now, no ifs, ands or buts.”
I had to have a brief counseling session with the doctor who would perform the “procedure.” That’s what we’ll call it from now on. He told me there were two approaches to the 25-minute procedure. One, I could be conscious but somewhat sleepy the entire time or I could be put under with anesthesia. I opted for door number two.
A couple of days leading up to the procedure, you have to begin a special diet and the day before, you have to drink volumes of water with some kind of medicine in it that “cleanses” your system. Don’t make plans to be far from home during this time. You’ll thank me later.
I had asked the doctor during our counseling session about something called a virtual “procedure.” He acknowledged that there is such a thing, but if the doctor finds a problem, there is no way to take care of it without starting all over from the beginning.
I don’t like to make broad generalizations, but, in general, men don’t go to the doctor unless there’s something wrong. As far as I knew, there was nothing wrong. So you can understand my reluctance. But, I followed my doctor’s orders to go and just before I got to make my first joke about my situation, the lights went out.
I woke about a half hour later and the doctor came in to see me. There had been something of concern, and he had taken care of it. I don’t have to see him again for another three years. Next time, I won’t be as reluctant. Doctors tell us, after the age of 50, we should have the procedure. And in the end, it’s a good idea.
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