Gary Barg, Editor-in-Chief
This past Friday I embarked upon a social engagement that only comes around once every five years or so. Preparing for the event took most of the evening before. I must say that these preparations were a whole lot more enjoyable than the last time, by far.
Anyone over fifty years of age has already gleaned that I am talking about a colonoscopy. This is one of the most important preemptive procedures in which an adult can partake since colon cancer is the second most prevalent kind of cancer and the polyps are generally so slow to grow that regularly scheduled colonoscopies are truly lifesaving. Anyone 50 or over, or with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, should definitely undergo the procedure.
I know, I know, I can just hear you saying that it isn't the procedure, but the hell-night before the procedure that stops you cold, Frankly, before Thursday I would have been one of those nay-sayers. The last time I had this procedure, the night before was truly horrendous, between the massive amount of prep solution that needed to be drunk to other aspects I won't detail here as not to offend sensibilities. I must say that those who toiled in their chemistry workshops to make prep night a more enjoyable aspect to the procedure deserve a hearty round of applause. I wish there were a category in the Caregiver Friendly Awards for their efforts, as the amount of liquid that must be drunk has come down from Olympic swimming pool to some glasses of Gatorade and not to be sacrilegious, the flavor was quite pleasant.
The procedure was simple and quick, and recovery was a long afternoon nap—a nice side benefit of having the procedure. So, for those of you who are delaying this procedure, I implore you to rethink the drink and schedule yourself today. As caregivers, any negative outcome that can be easily avoided is a blessing unto itself.
To poorly paraphrase William Shakespeare's Henry V {Act 3, Scene 1} "Once More Into The Britches, Dear Friends"
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