The morning of, I was still craving food like there was no tomorrow. I couldn't arrive at the hospital soon enough to sit and wait. Mr. Date was there by my side and arrived in the morning with a dozen red roses and a beautiful card. I wasn't nervous just anxious and hungry sitting around waiting to leave.
Waiting in the lobby of the hospital seemed to take the longest, for me at least. Although Mr. Date said they called him back pretty quickly before I went in and not too soon thereafter when I was in recovery. I don't think he managed to read much of his two magazines or even had time to find the cafeteria to grab coffee or eat.
The nurses were all really nice and there seemed to be a whole slew of them that I couldn't tell you all their names. Dawn was a chatty woman with a great personality. Unfortunately her IV insertion skills were lacking, which didn't bode well with me since I'm not a fan of needles as it is! She apologized profusely, saying that she had it and then went to far. What???? I wanted to cry. Seriously. I had the same feeling that I did when I looked at the last 22 ounces of stuff to drink and just couldn't do it. Of course I did and I would have the IV. Another nurse came over and put the IV into the vein in the inner part of my elbow and then I waited. Nothing like waiting with a saline flush and a capped off something or other hanging off your body. Fortunately Mr. Date was brought back and I could try to move my thoughts away from the queasiness I was feeling and the inability to look at it.
I was brought into a room, the operating room. It wasn't much bigger than my office cubicle. I seriously had first thought it was just a pass through to get to a larger room. I had never been in an operating room so small, so intimate and it definitely didn't resemble anything on t.v. Maybe because it wasn't a "true" operating room, more a procedural room! The new nurses hooked up the anesthesia, after locating the IV and the last thing I remember was roll over onto my left side. I don't remember doing so. I don't remember anything.
The nurse had warned me about partial to full amnesia. I even mentioned this to Mr. Date almost giving him free reign of entertainment to ask me anything he wanted. I figured my brutal honesty could either make or break us, especially if I never remembered it! He's too sweet, I think, to even try it! Although he did say I was talking in recovery and I don't have any recollection of him or I being there. So maybe he did. He joked that if he was gone when I came to at the house, I would know why!
I called my girlfriend (LL) while I was in the waiting room to see if she had her baby. I hadn't heard from her, so I was pretty sure that was a negative. I had my bet on the baby being born on 7/21 while she is leaning toward 7/23. I left her a message. All night I struggled with recalling that I talked with her. I don't know if I did or if I dreamt it. She told me no baby yet. My phone has no record of her calling or a missed call that she had left me a message. Mr. Date wasn't sure if I talked with her either, getting conversations and messages confused. So I think I talked to her! Other than that, I don't remember anything else that I may have forgotten or only partially recall.
The procedure went well and there were no problems whatsoever. I would definitely not recommend Dulcolax or Miralax for anyone looking for a quick weight loss answer! I was down several pounds in the morning when I got on the scale, but so not worth it!
I'm not really sure where the afternoon went. I know that we took a nap which seemed like five minutes and I was awoken by the ringing of my cell across the house. Eating was no longer a priority. I wasn't hungry and yet I was. I didn't feel like eating. I did manage to eat some celery and peanut butter and made a sandwich for Mr. Date. My stomach was still pretty upset.
Apparently I wasn't suppose to drive for 8 hours afterward, so Mr. Date drove us to go play mini golf. Which was the longest 36 holes ever as we were both pretty hungry as it was after 8p.m. My stomach was still pretty upset, but nothing like it was after dinner! I didn't eat a ton, compared to what I can usually pack away. I just don't think my food selection of salad, bread, steak, veggies and mashed potatoes was the best choice! But it sounded sooo good!
My stomach was upset all night. I seriously felt like I was pregnant with all the kicking. Mr. Date was holding my hand and his arm was against my side and he could feel it and hear it. I definitely would recommend something small to eat for those first few meals!
Other than that, life post colonoscopy is good!
Showing posts with label Colonoscopy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colonoscopy. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Colonoscopy Prep
The big day before the colonoscopy. A day of clear diet and cravings for food beyond belief. At one point tonight I was so hungry, a dog biscuit sounded appetizing! I did manage to somehow get through the day without eating although constantly tempted by my son's surmounting appetite, the food displays at Meijer and Sam's Club and the endless beckoning of the refrigerator.
I had two cans of broth in the cupboard, but the newest had an expiration of 2006, so opted against them both. I figured I was going to be in the bathroom enough without managing to get food poisoning too! Ran to the store and picked up a vegetable and chicken broth. I did manage to eat about 2/3 of a cup of the vegetable broth, but really didn't have an appetite for more liquid. In addition to the errands of food shopping, we did manage to get in a good round of disc golf before I had to get home to start my pills and instructions.
Dulcolax. Yeah, my newest enemy. I was completed shocked when I read the instructions that accompanied the tiny four pills that I had to take. Directions vastly different than instructed by the hospital staff. Directions which included specific times and amounts of what to eat (broth, gelatin, juice) as well as when to take the pills and the bonus suppository. Since I hadn't followed any of those instructions, I stuck with the original directions.
Nothing seemed to happen after the first two pills. I had an hour or so before I had to start to consume Miralax or some crazy large bottle mixed with 64 oz. of flavored water, non-red. I went with the lemonade crystal light, not my favorite by any means and clearly after today will not be either. The directions call for adding the bottle to the 64 oz. I was smart enough to empty out some of the water to add the mix, but not smart enough. I dumped it on the bottle and the counter and managed to almost overflow the mix without even adding half. Trying to determine how I was suppose to mix it all, I finally took out about 10 ounces more of the crystal light to add the remainder. So now the awful 64 ounces became about 72 ounces and those last 8 ounces were the worst!
I'm not a huge drinker by any means. I probably put my body through dehydration on a regular basis. If I'm not at a restaurant drinking water by the pitcher, I'm probably not drinking anything. So the thought of 72 ounces in addition to the four 16.9 ounces of water and my broth were going to put me over the edge. To make matters worse, I had to drink 8 ounces every 10-15 minutes. Why I couldn't just chug it was beyond me. I would have preferred 16-32 ounces every 30 minutes or so. I really didn't think I would make it through the last 24 ounces or so. I was bloated and already spending much of the resting period between drinks in the bathroom.
I did manage to make it through the entire bottle and about two hours of going to the bathroom. It wasn't completely terrible and I wasn't in pain. The mixture didn't even have a horrible taste, it was more the psychological ramifications of having to drink it and know what was coming next. I wouldn't recommend trying to watch a movie after drinking the mix, seemed like every 5-10 minutes I was up again, fortunately it wasn't that good of a movie. I took the final two Dulcolax at 9p.m. and all is well. I don't think that there is anything left in my system anyway.
I did experience chills and the chronic need to go to the bathroom and just feeling drained in more ways than one. So if what I've been told is true, the hardest part is behind (pun) me now!
I had two cans of broth in the cupboard, but the newest had an expiration of 2006, so opted against them both. I figured I was going to be in the bathroom enough without managing to get food poisoning too! Ran to the store and picked up a vegetable and chicken broth. I did manage to eat about 2/3 of a cup of the vegetable broth, but really didn't have an appetite for more liquid. In addition to the errands of food shopping, we did manage to get in a good round of disc golf before I had to get home to start my pills and instructions.
Dulcolax. Yeah, my newest enemy. I was completed shocked when I read the instructions that accompanied the tiny four pills that I had to take. Directions vastly different than instructed by the hospital staff. Directions which included specific times and amounts of what to eat (broth, gelatin, juice) as well as when to take the pills and the bonus suppository. Since I hadn't followed any of those instructions, I stuck with the original directions.
Nothing seemed to happen after the first two pills. I had an hour or so before I had to start to consume Miralax or some crazy large bottle mixed with 64 oz. of flavored water, non-red. I went with the lemonade crystal light, not my favorite by any means and clearly after today will not be either. The directions call for adding the bottle to the 64 oz. I was smart enough to empty out some of the water to add the mix, but not smart enough. I dumped it on the bottle and the counter and managed to almost overflow the mix without even adding half. Trying to determine how I was suppose to mix it all, I finally took out about 10 ounces more of the crystal light to add the remainder. So now the awful 64 ounces became about 72 ounces and those last 8 ounces were the worst!
I'm not a huge drinker by any means. I probably put my body through dehydration on a regular basis. If I'm not at a restaurant drinking water by the pitcher, I'm probably not drinking anything. So the thought of 72 ounces in addition to the four 16.9 ounces of water and my broth were going to put me over the edge. To make matters worse, I had to drink 8 ounces every 10-15 minutes. Why I couldn't just chug it was beyond me. I would have preferred 16-32 ounces every 30 minutes or so. I really didn't think I would make it through the last 24 ounces or so. I was bloated and already spending much of the resting period between drinks in the bathroom.
I did manage to make it through the entire bottle and about two hours of going to the bathroom. It wasn't completely terrible and I wasn't in pain. The mixture didn't even have a horrible taste, it was more the psychological ramifications of having to drink it and know what was coming next. I wouldn't recommend trying to watch a movie after drinking the mix, seemed like every 5-10 minutes I was up again, fortunately it wasn't that good of a movie. I took the final two Dulcolax at 9p.m. and all is well. I don't think that there is anything left in my system anyway.
I did experience chills and the chronic need to go to the bathroom and just feeling drained in more ways than one. So if what I've been told is true, the hardest part is behind (pun) me now!
Men in Trees
Things are going well on the dating front. Par for me, everyone seems to come more out of the woodwork than usual when I begin dating someone. Maybe I act different, maybe I acknowledge or recognize things more or maybe it just is.
I spent the entire tournament with the ex-bf. It actually went pretty well. He of course isn't happy to hear that I met Mr. Date and doesn't want to know that I'm dating. He still feels that in his mind there is some glimmer of hope. While hanging out with him was definitely better this weekend - I think because I do really like Mr. Date and there isn't any glimmer of hope. I've laid it all out on the table, I'm not hiding anything or misrepresenting anything. And that of course makes him sad. At one point, he acknowledged the tears in his eyes when I told him he would one day find someone, (which he says he has) that wasn't me. I really do want the best for him.
I received a text and talked with a guy I dated during the previous hiatus from the ex-bf telling me that he met someone as equally cynical, funny, sarcastic and beautiful as I am, and she's blonde. Congrats! Way to move on! Then of course he asked when we could hangout again and have some drinks. Hmmm...but he's harmless and beginning to be someone I may even call a friend. We definitely can laugh together and he's someone that I can say whatever to and he takes it OK. I don't have to worry about hurting his ego or feelings, I can tell it like it is.
For instance, today he reminded me that he asked me, "So tell me, what exactly went wrong with US?" My response, "Other than the US, nothing."
He found it hysterically funny. While it's true, I couldn't and wouldn't say that to just anyone. I'm not that harmful, but I think knowing the personality, sense of humor and the company of others allows one to know what you can and can't or shouldn't say.
I gave in to Mr. Date and agreed that he can take me to and from my colonoscopy appointment on Monday. I'm sure that I will be looking and feeling my best! In actuality though, why not get it out of the way? He's seen me in a bathing suit, he saw me in comfy pj's, he's seen me sweating and almost fall on my face, so whatelse is left? Oh yeah, feeling like crap, crapping and looking like crap. Wow, why not get all three with one fell swoop? So that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm somewhat nervous about it, especially since it will also be the first time that he will have come to my house. I get a little OCD when I have people in my house, not to mention someone that I might like. Wondering if it's OK or should I do something different, clean a little more, unorganize a little less. A house can say so much about a person and I'm just not sure what story mine tells.
Regardless, I really want to see him. My thoughts aren't entirely consumed by him, but I do find my mind wandering to him. Recalling his smile, his cheeks when he laughs, his soft touch, his gentle kisses. The desire to see him, even at my worst is worth it to see him at all. Afterall, maybe I'll be worse than Elvira in the psyche unit and he'll go running in the other direction. Maybe he won't. He says that he wants to help me and take care of me. He's not the first to ever say this, but he's someone that I trust will do what he says. I actually believe that he wants to and genuinely will. And that, is something to be said.
I spent the entire tournament with the ex-bf. It actually went pretty well. He of course isn't happy to hear that I met Mr. Date and doesn't want to know that I'm dating. He still feels that in his mind there is some glimmer of hope. While hanging out with him was definitely better this weekend - I think because I do really like Mr. Date and there isn't any glimmer of hope. I've laid it all out on the table, I'm not hiding anything or misrepresenting anything. And that of course makes him sad. At one point, he acknowledged the tears in his eyes when I told him he would one day find someone, (which he says he has) that wasn't me. I really do want the best for him.
I received a text and talked with a guy I dated during the previous hiatus from the ex-bf telling me that he met someone as equally cynical, funny, sarcastic and beautiful as I am, and she's blonde. Congrats! Way to move on! Then of course he asked when we could hangout again and have some drinks. Hmmm...but he's harmless and beginning to be someone I may even call a friend. We definitely can laugh together and he's someone that I can say whatever to and he takes it OK. I don't have to worry about hurting his ego or feelings, I can tell it like it is.
For instance, today he reminded me that he asked me, "So tell me, what exactly went wrong with US?" My response, "Other than the US, nothing."
He found it hysterically funny. While it's true, I couldn't and wouldn't say that to just anyone. I'm not that harmful, but I think knowing the personality, sense of humor and the company of others allows one to know what you can and can't or shouldn't say.
I gave in to Mr. Date and agreed that he can take me to and from my colonoscopy appointment on Monday. I'm sure that I will be looking and feeling my best! In actuality though, why not get it out of the way? He's seen me in a bathing suit, he saw me in comfy pj's, he's seen me sweating and almost fall on my face, so whatelse is left? Oh yeah, feeling like crap, crapping and looking like crap. Wow, why not get all three with one fell swoop? So that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm somewhat nervous about it, especially since it will also be the first time that he will have come to my house. I get a little OCD when I have people in my house, not to mention someone that I might like. Wondering if it's OK or should I do something different, clean a little more, unorganize a little less. A house can say so much about a person and I'm just not sure what story mine tells.
Regardless, I really want to see him. My thoughts aren't entirely consumed by him, but I do find my mind wandering to him. Recalling his smile, his cheeks when he laughs, his soft touch, his gentle kisses. The desire to see him, even at my worst is worth it to see him at all. Afterall, maybe I'll be worse than Elvira in the psyche unit and he'll go running in the other direction. Maybe he won't. He says that he wants to help me and take care of me. He's not the first to ever say this, but he's someone that I trust will do what he says. I actually believe that he wants to and genuinely will. And that, is something to be said.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Baseball & the Clear Diet
I can honestly say that I'm not really looking forward to this weekend, all that much. My son has his eye appointment tomorrow afternoon, which he tells me tonight that his left eye is getting worse. SUPER. I JUST bought a years worth of contacts last month after his exam.
Then we will race off to the ball fields where he will play the first two of five games for the local baseball tournament. Saturday morning he will be back at the ball fields at 8:30a.m. for three more games. I really do like baseball, I'm just not sure I can handle five games in the squelching heat we've been having the past few days.
Sunday I have my clear diet. I'm so excited, I just can't stand it. Oh yeah, I won't have to since I'll be sitting on the porcelain god all day! Saturday I'll begin my lack of corn, beans, peanuts, popcorn, grapes with seeds, whole wheat, etc. Etc? What does that mean? I'm so sure I'll screw these directions up, no doubt about it. However, I find it hard to believe that my entire system won't be cleansed and empty that it won't really matter anyway.
The good thing about the colonoscopy is that I will have the results and not have to worry and I will actually have my true weight! Of what I could feasibly get to if I was consistently cleansed. Yeah, so not worth it for a few extra pounds in my book.
I'm still leaning toward walking to and from the procedure. I'm not sure how staff will feel about it. My mom, JN, ex-BF and Mr. Date have all offered to be here to drive me and help me. I'm just not big into the need and want thing, regardless. Ex-BF actually knows me the best, so would be easiest for him to help, but I also know that it wouldn't be as just friends. I would love to see Mr. Date, but just not thinking those will be under the best circumstances. But hey, I guess get it out of the way and see how we both handle it, right? Right.
Then we will race off to the ball fields where he will play the first two of five games for the local baseball tournament. Saturday morning he will be back at the ball fields at 8:30a.m. for three more games. I really do like baseball, I'm just not sure I can handle five games in the squelching heat we've been having the past few days.
Sunday I have my clear diet. I'm so excited, I just can't stand it. Oh yeah, I won't have to since I'll be sitting on the porcelain god all day! Saturday I'll begin my lack of corn, beans, peanuts, popcorn, grapes with seeds, whole wheat, etc. Etc? What does that mean? I'm so sure I'll screw these directions up, no doubt about it. However, I find it hard to believe that my entire system won't be cleansed and empty that it won't really matter anyway.
The good thing about the colonoscopy is that I will have the results and not have to worry and I will actually have my true weight! Of what I could feasibly get to if I was consistently cleansed. Yeah, so not worth it for a few extra pounds in my book.
I'm still leaning toward walking to and from the procedure. I'm not sure how staff will feel about it. My mom, JN, ex-BF and Mr. Date have all offered to be here to drive me and help me. I'm just not big into the need and want thing, regardless. Ex-BF actually knows me the best, so would be easiest for him to help, but I also know that it wouldn't be as just friends. I would love to see Mr. Date, but just not thinking those will be under the best circumstances. But hey, I guess get it out of the way and see how we both handle it, right? Right.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Medical Update
To post about something non-dating related, I seem to be in the midst of many medical issues. There it is, issues. This seems to happen every year after my physical, I seem to have a barrage of follow up appointments.
One was with my primary doctor, whom I've never met, to discuss having my tubes tied. I did initially inquire about a hysterectomy but was shot down! My mother had breast and uterine cancer and my father has a laundry list of medical ailments larger than Santa's Christmas list, so this gene pool is pretty murky.
I learned that I have two options, a coil procedure which can take three months and is permanent or a incision surgery with bands that can be reversed which is immediate. The doctor inquired if I was married or in a relationship. He wondered what would happen if in three years if I met the man of my dreams and wanted to have a child, what then? I wouldn't! Adoption? He asked how old my "baby" was? And then said that since I am not in my 20's and have an 11 year old that I can make my decision. He did seem surprised that I use birth control and abstinence (maybe he thought I was the next immaculate conception) and said I could continue until menopause. SUPER.
Then I saw a GI doctor for an appointment. Everything looked good, which didn't explain a long-term more than sporadic problem, so now I have to have a colonoscopy. I'm super excited about it, let me tell you! I picked up the stuff I have to drink to cleanse me out and keep me in the bathroom for an entire day today. I have to have the clear diet and take this stuff on Sunday, so looks like we won't be going anywhere. Nothing like precautionary measures.
Today I got home and was greeted by a reminder card that in August I need to schedule a follow-up ultrasound for my thyroid. This will be the third, they just keep watching it and saying to come back in 6 months. I mentioned the ultrasound to my son at dinner tonight and he said, "Isn't that where they rub the thing on your belly to see the baby?" Sure is. So I asked him if he wanted me to have a baby and he vehemently responded with, "NO", that makes two of us bud, that makes two of us.
One was with my primary doctor, whom I've never met, to discuss having my tubes tied. I did initially inquire about a hysterectomy but was shot down! My mother had breast and uterine cancer and my father has a laundry list of medical ailments larger than Santa's Christmas list, so this gene pool is pretty murky.
I learned that I have two options, a coil procedure which can take three months and is permanent or a incision surgery with bands that can be reversed which is immediate. The doctor inquired if I was married or in a relationship. He wondered what would happen if in three years if I met the man of my dreams and wanted to have a child, what then? I wouldn't! Adoption? He asked how old my "baby" was? And then said that since I am not in my 20's and have an 11 year old that I can make my decision. He did seem surprised that I use birth control and abstinence (maybe he thought I was the next immaculate conception) and said I could continue until menopause. SUPER.
Then I saw a GI doctor for an appointment. Everything looked good, which didn't explain a long-term more than sporadic problem, so now I have to have a colonoscopy. I'm super excited about it, let me tell you! I picked up the stuff I have to drink to cleanse me out and keep me in the bathroom for an entire day today. I have to have the clear diet and take this stuff on Sunday, so looks like we won't be going anywhere. Nothing like precautionary measures.
Today I got home and was greeted by a reminder card that in August I need to schedule a follow-up ultrasound for my thyroid. This will be the third, they just keep watching it and saying to come back in 6 months. I mentioned the ultrasound to my son at dinner tonight and he said, "Isn't that where they rub the thing on your belly to see the baby?" Sure is. So I asked him if he wanted me to have a baby and he vehemently responded with, "NO", that makes two of us bud, that makes two of us.
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