I took yesterday off to get my first colonoscopy.  They say you should start getting them at age 50 and I thought, since my deductible has been met, it would be good to "git 'er done" before the end of the year.  I wasn't afraid of the procedure -- I was afraid of the outcome. I guess that's what a recent cancer diagnosis will do for you. Everyone told me that what you have to do the night before is the worst part.  It, honestly, wasn't bad at all to me.  I didn't eat anything all day Monday, which was the hardest part especially since I get up at 4am.  But the hunger pangs were certainly gone after I drank a gallon of the stuff that clears your insides out.  Just don't plan to go anywhere or to have any visitors the night before your colonoscopy.  I was glad to have mine done first thing in the morning yesterday.  It amazed me how efficiently everything runs -- one nurse brings you back and gets you in your robe and asks the questions for the forms.  I thought it was funny that I was to leave my shoes, socks. and bra on. I was in a little cubicle area surrounded by curtains with other patients just inches away from me behind the curtain.  As I could hear the man next to me struggling, my nurse Molly told me that most men can't tie a robe behind their neck -- seriously!  As Molly left me, I wished her a "Merry Christmas."  The man behind the curtain next to me piped up and said, "It's nice to hear someone use the word Christmas.  'Happy Holidays' just doesn't cut it for me."  I know exactly what he means.  I wished him a "Merry Christmas," too.  Another nurse rolled me down the hall on my stretcher.  I was comfortably reading my People magazine (that's also what a recent cancer diagnosis will do for you -- needles and anesthesia?...ho-hum...)  The Allman Brothers were playing on a stereo with a speaker that had a sticker on it that read "Git 'er Done!"  That was the first sign I was in the right place.  Another cheerful nurse was prepping me and we were joking around a bit.  Someone else walked in to start my IV.  I turned my head to look at her and we both squealed!  It was Bridgette, a beloved friend I met while going through the PINK program at Piedmont!  She was suffering badly through radiation while doing the program with me and about 12 other wonderful women last year, and I hadn't seen her in about 6 months.  She looks amazing -- her hair has gorwn out and she just glows!  You can imagine I was thrilled to see her and she asked how I was feeling about my colonoscopy.  I told her I wasn't nervous about the prodedure, but was about the outcome.  She understood -- "You don't really trust your body after you've had cancer," she said. EXACTLY.  I swear, I felt like God had sent me a guardian angel.  As I was on my side, speedily drifting off into Never Neverland, Bridgette was stroking my hair.

I woke up to smiling faces, and was so happy that I started to sit up and purposely (under the strange after-effects of anesthesia) pulled the annoying IV out of my hand. Blood spurt like mad and everyone hustled to put it back in.  Everything was fine.  Usuallly, I wouldn't have to have another colonoscopy for 10 years but, since I've had cancer, they say 5 - 7 years for my next time.  I'm telling you, it wasn't bad at all and colon cancer is the type that, if you catch it early, the prognosis is usually very good.  So don't put yours off!  My 'angel' wheeled me back to my curtained cubicle where you're actually encouraged to pass gas since they pump you with air. The noises were hysterical -- my mom and I got a big kick out of it!