It is common knowledge that when a person is 50 years old, he or she should begin routine colonoscopies, every ten years for most people. In my case it was earlier. The first time was in 2011 when I was only 46, the second one in 2016 and today was my third. I was at a higher risk after a mastectomy on my right side in late 2009. My previous gastroenterologist retired last year so I was refereed to a new one, Dr. G, at the same medical center.
Out of curiosity I googled Dr. G and found out that he earned his medical degree from Addis Ababa University Medical School in Ethiopia with top honors before some impressive work in the United States. He had many research publications. He also had authored several chapters in books used as references for practicing gastroenterologists and surgeons. I felt I was in good hands.
My memory plays funky tricks to me, or better said, my brain chooses what to remember and what not to. For example, I did not remember at all my second colonoscopy until my initial visit with Dr. G! He brought a copy of the last colonoscopy report which had no abnormalities. But I had no memory I had it! On the report it was recommended that I should get a procedure done every five years. But Dr. G had a different opinion after interviewing me. He wowed several times after I replied to his exercise question with "yoga two hours every day". He looked young and thin and had a gentle smile on his face. I liked this new doctor. He suggested that I still get this procedure done and if the results were good, he'd push the next appointment out ten years! I liked it that way!
Then I was guided to a super nice scheduler in her mid-thirties. She had the earliest appointment at the end of October, and I had no problem with that. I knew with Covid ongoing all of the medical centers were packed. Then she told me there was a cancelation this upcoming Friday, asking me if I'd like to take the slot. Of course! I accepted it as I so wanted to get this over with. There were only three days to go. I wouldn't have to worry too long about it.
Following the exact guidance on a sheet of paper the lady gave me, Thursday morning I started the colonoscopy prep. In my experience the prep is the worst part. But Dr. G promised me that it was easier than it used to be. As a yogi I eat pretty healthy compared to my husband. So I should not have much trouble to cleanse. Opening my eyes at 7:30am I began a clear liquid diet. I chose to drink black coffee mixed with water, as I don't drink sugar loaded fruit juices from grocery stores. I was also allowed clear chicken broth or vegetable broth. But I don't like them. I stayed away from red and purple food dye.
I managed to keep busy in the morning besides drinking my Kaffeschorle (a mixture of coffee and water). By the way this word was invented by me when joking with Curtis as he knew what Apfelschorle meant in German. By chance I got into a conversation on Facebook and I somehow suspected it wasn't from the person it was supposed to be. I picked up the phone and called my friend whose account it was. Exactly as guessed, it wasn't her! My friend was an old colleague of mine who was forced to retire early and she had not receive the government money that false person claimed. Haha! We caught up on each others lives and promised to meet sometime later. I will write an essay about us sometime. Everybody seems so busy right now, especially during this Covid time. That call sufficiently spared me from thinking about food for a good hour.
To kill more time and forget the hunger I had a video chat whining to my son about how famished I was. He helped cheer me up just seeing him. It was the second quarantine day for him. He took a Ring Fit with him and felt sore. We talked about the possibility of doing his third week of quarantine. Perhaps instead of doing it in Sichuan, he could do it in a hotel near his fiancée Ye. She's a very smart girl taking online classes this semester at San Francisco University. She couldn't come over to the States because of the Covid. Will see how things play out.
I refused Curtis' suggestion to drink apple juice as I never liked those kinds of drinks. I'd rather eat fresh fruit. But of course I cannot eat solid food today and tomorrow. I managed to do my daily yoga routine although with less power than usual. If I had known what I would suffer I would have listened to Curtis and took whatever fruit juices he got for me.
Following the instructions at 5pm I drank the first bottle of a fluid called "Clenpiq" that Dr. G prescribed. It was not difficult to drink but it was loaded with something that tasted salty. I am a very salt sensitive person. I swallowed it down with a cup of clear water. Every hour I drank a cup of water until 10:30pm when I drank the 2nd bottle of Clenpiq. I had to wait until 12am to finished drinking 3 more cups of water as required. We watched an old 007 movie to kill the time. So far, so good.
I had the colonoscopy procedure scheduled for noon the next day. But from the very moment I opened my eyes, I was already feeling collapsed! I took a sip of water at 8am and that was all I could have before the procedure at 12pm. I was not able to do anything except crashing on the sofa with my eyes closed. I was dizzy and sweating when I had to walk! I knew exactly what this was: hypoglycemia, the deficiency of glucose in the bloodstream, caused by the fasting and cleansing. Usually my blood pressure is low and that could also have contributed to the suffering. It seemed a long time until Curtis drove me to the hospital. All the way I had my eyes shut. Curtis walked me to the reception and I collapsed on a chair not able to talk to the front desk lady. There were many patients in the waiting room. I heard nurses coming in and out calling names. I was lead into the room to a small chamber to be prepared for the procedure. A young and pretty nurse set up the IV for me. She tried several times to locate the right vein and it was painful. But today I didn't care...Finally Dr. G came by and talked to me a little. I was so powerless and could only smile back to him... I was wheeled to the procedure room and the anesthetic kicked in...
"Wake up! wake up!" Feeling pats on the cheek I woke up knowing I was back in the prep room. A little later came Dr. G showing me the printout of test pictures. The result was good. "See you in ten years, Zoe!" said Dr. G with smile. It was a happy moment. I had spent 3 hours in the hospital.
On the way home with tiny bites I ate the peanut butter sandwich Curtis prepared for me. It was the most delicious food in the world! And I was craving oat soup! The rest of the day I could feel my power was coming back to my body slowly. Not able to practice power yoga, I did meditation and stretching instead. Watching another 007 movie to close the day.
Today is a new day! I feel powerful and energized! Although it's Saturday Curtis had to go to office to make up for the projects he was involved. I stayed home and watched the three hours long new episode of "Street Dance of China" Season 4. Dancers were marvelous! For yoga practice I did one of Jonah Sensei's classes. This was the 3rd time I practiced this class. Love this Power Vinyasa Flow!
通常一个人到了 50 岁就应该开始常规结肠镜检查，每十年检查一次。我的情况比较特殊第一次做早在 2011 年当年时我只有 46 岁。第二次在 2016 年而我完全不记得有这次。今天 2021 年我该做第三次了。我在 2009 年底右乳切除术后被归类于于风险较高的人所以每五年需要做一次肠镜检查。我的专家医生去年退休了，所以我成了同一医疗中心 G 博士的患者。
今天是全新的一天！ 我感到活力满满！ 虽然是星期六但柯蒂斯不得不去办公室弥补他参与的项目。 我呆在家里看了三小时的《中国街舞》第四季新一集。舞者们太棒了！ 今天的瑜伽练习我练了Jonah老师的一堂课。 这是我第三次练习这节课，超喜欢力量流瑜伽！
（初稿于2021-08-28）
