“Getting my butt checked”

https://youtu.be/acNy8x2viuk?si=I9Sq5seAzypTBWac (video version)

In our society, we hear a lot about raising awareness for different things. To name a few, there are breast cancer, heart disease, thyroid, and mental health awareness. In the United States, the month of March is dedicated to raising awareness for colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer. Unless you have reached the age of 45 and older and asked to have preventive screening, you might be like me.(https://colorectalcancer.org/screening-prevention/get-screened-45 ). You haven’t heard much about colon cancer awareness. Even though I have interviewed friends for my blog’s website that have experienced colon cancer, this time was personal. I was undergoing the process of having a preventative screen, and the experience provided more awareness for me.

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of death for men and the fourth leading cause of death for women. (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html) According to American Cancer Society, between men and women, there will be approximately 108,860 new cases for 2026. With early screenings, these death toll numbers can be reduced each year.

Early stages of colon and rectal cancer show little or no signs at all. This is the reason screenings are important. Originally, doctors suggested the screening age for colon cancer to be 50 years old. Due to 10% of deaths in the US for colon cancer being under 50 years of age, the suggested rate was lowered to begin at 45. A few symptoms are a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding, weakness/fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. (https://colorectalcancer.org/basics/colorectal-cancer-symptoms). I haven’t experienced any of the symptoms, but I am over the age of 45. Therefore, I want to ensure that I am doing all I can to live longer. Here is my experience of having my first colonoscopy.

I am a foodie. I loveeee to eat. 24 hours prior to the procedure, you cannot eat anything solid because the colon has to be cleaned. In order to clean it, only a certain type of clear liquids and certain jello’s are allowed to be consumed. Also, you must drink this prescribed solution that will cleanse out your colon. I’ve always heard about the “nasty drink.” I was told that it was the grossest thing a person ever drank. Depending on the time of your procedure, that determines when you have to mix the solution and begin drinking it. Because I’ve heard many horror stories about the drink, that was the biggest thing that psyched me out. My appointment was scheduled for March 5.

March 4th, I was looking at my coworkers lunch and admiring it. My lunch for the day was chicken broth. I tried my best to drink it. I added some pepper to give it some flavor, but it was horrible. I couldn’t finish it. The night before, I couldn’t find anything but red jello. Red jello is on the list of do not haves. I was hungryyyy. I decided that I would get full off water, but I have never been one for water. I will avoid water like a plague. In order for me to drink water, I add a flavor pack. Again, flavored packets were to be avoided as well. I really struggled this day.

I called the office to ask what time I needed to start drinking the solution. With my appointment being at 10:30 am the next morning, the nurse told me I should have started it by 2:00 pm, but I wouldn’t get home from work until after 4:00 pm. I was on a time crunch.

I made it home and mixed up the solution. Once I began it, nothing could be eaten. The colon had to be completely emptied. This solution was going to be just the thing to do it. Once the water was added, it was 4 liters that I would be drinking. I had NEVER in my life drank one liter of water. How in the world would I finish 4 liters before midnight? I took the first sip. It had a little flavor, lemon-lime salt water. I said well I got the flavored water that I was craving all day long.

Truthfully, it wasn’t as bad as people said that it was. I guess because growing up I’d used a home remedy of gargling with salt water when I had a sore throat. The little hint of lemon-lime helped. Regardless of how much it helped, it was very hard drinking the solution. According to the directions, I had to drink 10 ounces every thirty minutes. Word to the wise, you don’t want to be at work when you start drinking the solution. You need to be near a toilet. After about an hour, the solution began to do it’s magic. My bowels started emptying. Remember, there has been no solid food eaten. Nothing but liquids. The bowel movement was similar to diarrhea.

I was hungry. I was sleepy, and I was tired of drinking the solution. This was one of the longest night of my life.

I texted my same friends that I’d interviewed for my blog asking them about what to expect the next day. Each told me, the procedure was pretty simple. The most important thing was to get the solution down because I needed to make sure my colon was cleansed, but I couldn’t finish the solution. I absolutely hate water. I know it sounds crazy, but I had a hard time getting it down. I had about 30 ounces left to drink, and I stopped. I was almost in tears trying to finish it. I’ll be 100% honest. I was really worried about the procedure the next day. Would I be completely cleaned out? Would I have any complications if there is a little bit of food left inside the colon?

A few years prior, I was supposed to have a colonoscopy, but the particular gastroenterologist didn’t prescribe me the prescription solution. I didn’t eat anything that day before, but my stool was not clear. When I texted one of my same friends the night before, she was asking me what did he say about a solution. I said nothing because he didn’t prescribe anything. She told me that I need to be sure to tell him about my stool not being clear before I was taken to the back the next day. Her advice saved my life because there definitely would have been complications. Because it saved my life, I wasn’t even sad about not being able to have the colonoscopy done. There were more red flags from that experience. It’s too many to go in depth about. Just know, I knew that I didn’t want to go back to him. This is why I was very frantic about this colonoscopy.

I know it sounds crazy. If I was worried, why didn’t I finish it? I felt like I was about to vomit from drinking so much water. My mother can even vouch that I would go without drinking anything before I drank water. I know that drinking water is important for my health. That’s why I make it a point to drink at least 64 ounces a day but with a flavored pack. Yes, it’s below the daily recommended suggested amount, but I’m getting there. Occasionally, I do drink about 20 ounces of cold water with nothing. This is my truth and my struggle.

On the morning of the 5th, I arrived at the new clinic. From the moment I walked in the door, it was a different experience. The entire clinic (from the front desk, insurance verification clerk, nurses, anesthesiologist, and doctor) were extremely nice and concerned. Even on the 4th, I had questions. They returned my calls each time. They didn’t make me feel that I was a nuisance for calling. On the day of the procedure, they explained everything in detail. We had some laughs. I knew that God had provided the right clinic and doctor this time. I was in great hands.

Right before the anesthesiologist put me to sleep, I told her to wait. If you know me, you know what I did. I told them I don’t know what their beliefs are, but I am about to pray for me and everyone in the room that was attached to my procedure. Everyone gathered around me, and we prayed. We concluded that prayer “In Jesus name, amen.” The next thing I knew, I was opening my eyes in the recovery room. Everything went well.

I was happy that everything went well and happy that I would be able to eat and drink. Ha. They offered me water or ginger ale. I chose that ginger ale. I finished with it, and they offered me another. It was the best drink of the the last 32 hours. When Dr. Rivera came to the recovery room, he informed me there was one small polyp that he removed. It was sent to biopsy, and I’m still waiting on the results. I am believing and trusting in God that all is well.

Nooowwww. One of my friends told me to eat something light because I had been put to sleep. I forgot all about that and went to a restaurant. I ate a greasy meal for dinner with ice cream for dessert. 🧁 Let’s just say that she was right. I should NOT have eaten it because it did not agree with my stomach. That’s what I get for being greedy.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer for African Americans. (https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21874).That is why it was very important for me to stay on top of my health. Regardless of what race or ethnicity you are, please take the time to put your health first. Fear will put you in a chokehold. Don’t be afraid of the “nasty drink” but don’t be like me. Be sure to drink it all. Don’t be afraid of someone going into your rectum. You are put to sleep. You will not feel a thing. Your butt is not sore after the procedure. Don’t allow what others have said prevent you from saving your life. Don’t become a statistic. Get preventive screening. If you are having symptoms or over the age of 45, go get your butt checked.