Colonoscopy

Last time I had a colonoscopy, it was at Strong Memorial. I was crowded into a hallway of patients separated by thin curtains. The passageway was a high traffic area, and you were escorted to your spot, quickly settled in, then abandoned until your number came up. Less than a pleasant experience to say the least.

This time I was scheduled at a brand new facility, opened last August. What a delight! I was dropped off at the front door, just a few steps from the check in desk. The waiting area was pleasant with lots of windows and a hostess center offering free coffee and tea and vending machine fare. There were current magazines and three - count them, three - staff making sure everything was taken care of.

I was taken back right on schedule where three - yes, three! - nurses met me and assisted with vitals, port access, explanations. Everyone was happy, friendly, and calling me by my name. How wonderful! No one was hurried, stressed, overwhelmed. A patient dream come true. This new center does surgeries and outpatient tests of many varieties.

They wheel me to the procedure room where I greet my doctor. She is pleasant and comforting. We will be done in less than an hour. They take a time out to check everything for a final time. Name, date of birth, type of procedure, reason, forms signed, good to go. They push the first round of meds and tah-dah! There before me in living color, my insides.

It looks good to me. They pause at the J pouch scar where my talented surgeon had performed miracles, exclaiming over his handiwork and excellent craftsmanship. Its still great. No need for more drugs, I am tolerating well. And, yes! I pass with flying colors. NORMAL! I get to graduate. Hallelujah.

I am in recovery sipping apple juice and munching Saltines - a royal feast after a day and a half of fasting. They hand me color pictures with my discharge papers. A red letter day for me. I will see my rectal oncologist in August for the final release. It has been a long time coming and is so welcome I cannot tell you. Victory is sweet. Yahoo!