My colonoscopy took place on Friday, Sept. 28th at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. Though my oncologist did send in the referral, the appointment materialized because of Walt's persistence and the luck of a cancellation. I had not heard from Spectrum and it had been over five days since the referral was submitted. I met Walt for lunch on Tuesday of that week and he asked when my appointment was. Needless to say, when I did not have an answer as yet, he took out his phone and said "Let's call them right now, I have their number. We need to get you in and get this done!" I told him I would call when I returned home and I did.
Turned out there was a cancellation for Friday...three days away! I felt it was fate and decided to accept. I wasn't certain who was going with me or able to drive but I knew I had to take the appointment and figure everything else out later. It turned out to be a great decision. I was eating little anyway so adjusting to the regimen they wanted me to follow on Thursday was not much of a problem. Walt had given me the pills they required because he had his colonoscopy two weeks before. I picked up the powder at Meijer on the way home and some apple juice and fruit pops to enjoy. No solid food and stay near a bathroom...had lots of practice doing both over the past few weeks!
Carol picked me up on Friday morning and we headed to Grand Rapids. Lori, my check in and prep nurse was delightful and had us both in stitches explaining about butt doctors, gut doctors and gut and butt doctors. Dr. Kim did not do both so if I need to come back for an upper GI, I unfortunately would not have his expertise. I never felt the needle go into my arm and she had me ready and with a warm blanket in no time. Before I got too comfortable, I was being wheeled into the small room where the procedure would be performed. A kind man with gentle eyes and a warm smile leaned on the bed rail to my right and introduced himself. This was Dr. Kim. He explained what he was going to do, asked me some additional questions, told me what I could expect after and reassured me just with his demeanor and smile. I looked at the machine to my left as the anesthesiologist was putting the solution into my arm. That is the last I remember until I awoke back where I started.
Carol said I spoke with her and with Dr. Kim...I do not remember it at all. She said they both were quite impressed with my questions...I wish I could have heard myself! LOL
Basically they found and removed five polyps which turned out to be benign. Several were adenomatous, which means they are of the type that can become cancerous. That meant I will need to have a colonoscopy every THREE years...oh joy! LOL I went because I thought I had diverticulitis...turns out I have mild diverticulosis and in the films only a small crater was discovered. Dr.Kim told Carol that he wasn't sure what was causing the pain in the lower left quadrant...could be gas, air, bowel strain...just was not certain. He did suggest I increase my fiber and see if things improved.
The discomfort comes and goes but the upper tract has not settled. A new appointment is scheduled for Friday, October 12 to discuss an endoscopy. Some foods that are good for fiber do not work with my digestive system and other foods do not cooperate with my intestinal system. Hopefully, once all the testing is done there will be some direction to keep BOTH ends happy and put my frustration to rest.
One day at a time...
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