Happy Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (March)

So I am a little ealry... (there is always time for a first)

For those of you who don’t know March is colorectal awareness month. Your probably wondering “why in the heck is Lisa putting that on her blog, she has really run out of things to talk about.” But then you remembered its me and I never run out of things to talk about. Here is the deal, I work in an Endoscopy clinic, that is where they take care of your not so cute side. I say in my profile that I won’t tell you about my job because it will “bore you to tears” so today I am making an exception. I am not a nurse or a doctor, just an outsider looking in. Since I have worked there I have seen many (yes I mean many, more than several) diagnosed with colon cancer. Colon cancer that is completely avoidable by a simple procedure. A colonoscopy. It is not an evil word I promise. I am going to give you the honest truth about a colonoscopy, here it is…

The prep- It is a gigantic jug that you have to drink, it is nasty and this by far is the worst part. You can put crystal light in it, but it is still gross and you may never be able to drink Crystal light again. After you drink it, you will empty your colon, quite quickly I might add. Some people may get nauseous when they drink it.

The procedure- You go in and (especially if you go to my clinic) the nicest nurse will greet you and make you feel at ease. (Our nurses are the best, just sayin…) She will have you get undressed (and guys, yes you will have to take your underwear off) and put a beautiful gown on. She will talk with you a while and put in a IV site. They will use this to insert the meds (the meds you will love I might add) The doctor (especially in my clinic) will come in and answer any questions you might have and put any other worries you might have had to rest, the nurse will then administer the meds and you will lay there for a moment and then all of sudden I will come in (especially in my clinic) and turn on the lights and say “Hi I am Lisa I am going to move you to recovery” then you will ask me, “When will the procedure start?” and I will say “You are already done.” And then the polyps you may have had that were starting to cause cancer have been removed. Congratulations!!!

The recovery-You will likely recover in 20-30 minutes and you will need another nice friend to drive you home, next week you can come back and be her/his driver. You will need to pass some gas, drink some juice and go have an excellent lunch.

A few disclaimers… this is not meant to be medical advice, so if you have questions go talk to your doctor. -please do not sue me This is only a typical description, some people remember the whole thing, some people get sick from the meds, all people are unique (and so are their colonoscopies)

If you think this is bad and not for you, you should consider… carrying around a colostomy bag for the rest of your life (this is a bag carried on the outside of your body that does the work of your colon) and the effects of treatment for cancer. (You get the point) This is of course only if you avoid death.

To my young friends-Talk to your parents and find out if they had polyps and if they were pre-cancerous type, if so you may need to be seen earlier. Also ask to make sure that great aunt Betsy didn’t have colon cancer. Talk to your doctor and even if they don’t ask, tell them and see if when they would recommend you get screened. Know the symptoms and signs and don't be afraid to ask your doctor, trust me, they have heard it all.

Earlier is always better than later.

To my older friends- I love you, your kids love you, your friends love you, go get screened.

Below is a quote from the mayo site and the mayo site, check it out, it will be in more scientific words then I used =) and if you need a good clinic (mine is the best) let me know…..

Bottoms Up!!!!


“Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying polyps before they become colon cancer.”

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colon-cancer/DS00035