This is sort of a strange way to begin my blogging for 2008; but I have a very good reason.My sister had a routine colonoscopy recently during which they discovered a large precancerous nodule. She had not had any discomfort or bleeding; she was just doing the right thing to take care of her body. She will have laparascopic surgery to remove the nodule, sections of colon on either side of it and some surrounding lymph nodes. Doctor says it was caught early and he's predicting a good long life for my sister (she's younger than I am by four years).
A little more than 52,000 people lost their life to colon cancer in 2007. I hope you won't be a victim of this terrible disease in 2008 or any year beyond.
If you are older than 50 than you should have a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. I had one at 50 and another at 60. My next one is when I'm 70 unless something happens in between that causes me to think I need one earlier. The preparation for the procedure is worse than the procedure itself.
I will climb down from the pulpit now. I just hope that everyone reading this will resolve to take care of his or her body the best way possible. That means a mammogram, PSA test, Pap smear, blood work and colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy. The life you save might just be your own.
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3 comments:
Yay for you. I have had a colonoscopy done - before I was diagnosed with celiac I regularly collapsed with nonspecific gastrointestinal pain and a peek up my backside innards was always ordered. You are right, the procedure itself is a breeze (note any others having one: INSIST on good drugs, lots of them, it is completely unnecessary to be even marginally awake for the procedure, which can be uncomfortable). The prep is godawful. But then its done and you have peace of mind.
Happy 2008 to your healthy bowel. LOL .....
And, since you have a + family history for polyps, you should consider getting screened every 5 years. The evidence is mixed on the necessity of it, but personally, I'd do it.
thanks for this.
Yes, I've had four of these since I turned 50. I am now on a three year cycle.
The worst part is the personal prep the day before. Ya gotta be clean as a whistle!!
Happy New Year
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