Colonoscopy

Prep for this test might actually cure the common cold! Basically you empty out your entire intestinal tract, then take pictures of it. Some way to make a living, I say. I woke at my usually early hour, despite the fact that my ride wasn't coming until 9:45. I read my Bible, prayed, showered, and rested in the easy chair. At 8 I called Dr. Mohile. Her office doesn't open until 8:30. I listen to some choral music - settings of Psalm 23 mostly. I call again at 8:45. She doesn't arrive until 9:30. They will give her the message. I tell them I am headed for the hospital for the colonoscopy. They write it down.

I wasn't planning on taking my cell phone to the hospital - they tell you not to take anything valuable. But I don't want to miss her call, so it goes in my pocket. We arrive in plenty of time, I check in, get two bracelets (there's that wonderful little allergy red alert again) wait a few minutes in the waiting room with my friend Peg. She is knitting a prayer cloth for me - a beautiful multicolored yarn with 3 crosses outlined in the middle of it. She shows me a new way to cast on stitches. I do it several times. I probably will have to have her show me again.

I am called. The process begins. Height, weight, medical history. Change into a gown, put all your belongings into a plastic bag. They are concerned about my blood pressure, hovering in the 200 vicinity. The whole routine about bad veins crops up, once again taken seriously. They put hot packs on my hand, lower my arm, put a blood pressure cuff on my upper arm and make it not too tight. She gets it first stick. Its good. My blood pressure drops to a comfortable 128. Gee, nerves sure can wreak havoc on your system.

An intern introduces himself and asks about my medical history. I start to tell him when the doctor enters the room. It is the first time I have met her. She is young, competent, full of life. I like her right away. She listens as I continue the story. She asks if I have had other tests done yet, then proceeds to the computer to have a look at the PET and MRI results. They are talking and laughing and discussing what they are seeing.

"There's the brain. Nothing there." [I wonder if that means I am dumb?] Suddenly they move close together so that I can't see the screen. Their voices drop, and I can't hear what they are saying. That can't be good. Perhaps they are looking at someone else's records - maybe the patient they just got done with. All in good time. I will know what I need to know when I need to know it.

She comes over to the gurney and touches my arm. "I just looked at your scans. There is nothing in the colon area that concerns me. I just want to let you know that if rectal cancer returns, it usually doesn't show up in the rectal area a second time. I don't think we will find anything to worry about, but if we find a polyp or any abnormality, we will address it today. We will remove and biopsy if need be. Let's get started." She give the nurse instructions about how much drug to give, I feel the burn in my arm, I relax.

I know most people sleep through their colonoscopies. I never have. I am pretty much awake and watching the show for the whole thing. Its glorious to see your insides displayed on the screen in front of you in living color. The camera snakes this way and that, the light casting shadows sometimes. I ask if she sees my deadend pouch, she says yes and shows me on camera. I ask if she sees any adhesions, she says no - and no polyps either. Everything looks very good.

"I don't see any reason to do another colonoscopy for at least 3 years. I am glad, but I also remember that the Yale doctor said the same thing, then ordered one two months later. I go to recovery. The get out of jail card is the ability to pass gas, and I am happy to comply. They make me a warm cup of green tea and give me a packet of animal crackers. I can go.

On the way home, my cell phone rings. It is Dr. Mohile. Turns out the scans are showing the same 2 spots that the Yale doctors saw, plus more. She had called me to bring me in for biopsies, then had spoken with some of her colleagues. They think the problem is in the lymph glands. They advise not to biopsy yet, but to repeat the tests in 6 weeks and see what is happening. She is concerned that I know before my appointment with here that the tests were not all clear.

We will talk about options on the 12th. We will get to the bottom of it. Then we will decide what to do about it and when. I only know I have to make sure that I have done everything I can do to put myself in as good a position as I can. Take a deep breath, go home and eat something juicy. The tough stuff is over - at least for awhile.