Ms. Bear Says: Get Your Colonoscopy!

Whew, friends!! As I always say, “That was a time!!” The time period I’m referring to?? The last five days alone! We’ve had quite the adventure of the medical variety around here as my mom had her second-ever colonoscopy!! She came through with flying colors and was brave and fierce and tough — in everything from the prep that involved drinking a very interesting mixture to the recovery that involved resting in the recovery room with a snack! She’s pretty much my hero and I’m so proud of her, so I wanted her to write a little bit today. Take it away, Ms. Bear…

Way back in 2009, after my first colonoscopy, I was so happy that I wouldn’t have to go back for 10 whole years! It seemed like a lifetime before I would have to worry about that again. Alas, it is remarkable how fast 10 years went by! I was supposed to have it in November 2019, but I seemed to lack the enthusiasm for it and told myself I would go in the new year. Well, welcome to 2020 and I was really sick in late February and most of March (there was no COVID test then, but I can’t help but wonder…). Then, of course, we were locked away in our houses, which brings us to last week, when I finally had the procedure. They told me that I wouldn’t be able to take the pills for the “clean out” this time and I worried every day for two months about drinking that liquid.

Fast forward to last Wednesday at 5 p.m. when I had to start the “prep.”I mixed it with lemonade Gatorade and guess what? It wasn’t bad at all. Of course, after 64 ounces of it, I felt a little nauseated, but overall, nothing like I had built up in my mind.

So, off Janelle and I went to the hospital on Thursday morning at the crack of dawn. It was super fast and I was in and out of the procedure room in less than half an hour. Then they gave me a muffin and sent me on my way.

I am still waiting to hear from pathology as to whether I come back in 5 years or 10, but either way, I am proud of myself for finally doing it. So, please, don’t let fear keep you from this important test, especially if you are over 50. Learn from my mistake and don’t put it off.

I am so happy I am done and next time I am going to go in exactly when they tell me to. And, I learned (again!) that there is no point in worrying every day about something that can save your life AND can be over in a half hour. I’ll let you know in 5 or 10 years if I follow through on this, but I am sure going to try!

Although March is officially National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, if you’re over 50, it’s important to get a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer. So what are YOU waiting for???

P.S. Thanks to Janelle for documenting this medical milestone!!