If I Can Do It, You Can Do It: Get the Colonoscopy

I have a crappy stomach. (In a moment, you will really appreciate that pun.)

For years, foods have caused discomfort. Since we’re about to get very personal here, discomfort means diarrhea. This used to be so embarrassing. But since I pooped in a cup and handed it to a nurse, all dignity is gone anyway—so I might as well tell you about it.

But back to the discomfort.

It runs in my family. Certain foods make a few of us run to the bathroom. For me, it’s any cream sauce. Sugar-free items. Red wine. Most fast food. And Raising Cane’s sauce. (I know. That one hurts.)

I know now, mostly, what foods to avoid and what I can eat without issues.

And even though my mom has been telling me to go to a doctor to get things checked out for years, I didn’t. (Polyps are common in my family. A great-grandma had colon cancer too.)

Who wants to call a doc (when you don’t have a regular doc) and say, “Hey, some foods make me almost poop my pants.”

Not me.

But when I noticed blood in my stool last year, I started to worry. I know friends who have had to say goodbye to loved ones because of colon cancer, and I didn’t want to be part of that statistic.

So, a couple of months ago, I gathered some courage and made myself go to a doctor.

Just making the call made me feel brave.

My doc listened and decided a colonoscopy would be a good idea—but first, a stool sample was needed.

“Do you think you can go now, or do you want to take it home and try?”

“Now,” I said. “Let’s give it a try.”

Listen. I didn’t know pooping on command was a life skill, but it is. Also, every shred of dignity was gone after that moment. But when I handed the cup over to the nurse, another piece of my anxiety was gone.

I was getting checked out, and I was proud of myself for doing so.

A visit with another doc—this time a gastroenterologist—confirmed a colonoscopy was a good idea. Even though all of my tests came back fine, blood in your stool is not something to mess around with.

We scheduled the day, and I began my prep.

I chose the drink. It was crappy. If you can, choose the pills. I hear those are much better.

I was on a liquid diet the day before. Then the liquid drinks started at 6 p.m. and lasted until about 8. The second round started at 3 a.m. and lasted until 5 a.m. I had to drink a crap-ton of liquid (see the theme here), and the last couple of glasses were tough to get down—but there wasn’t much discomfort at all, and honestly, it was mostly just liquid being removed.

I was under light anesthesia, and the whole process (colonoscopy and scope) took about 40 minutes. The nurses were incredible, the doctor was incredible, and all in all, it wasn’t as crappy as I thought.

My results? No polyps. Hemorrhoids caused bleeding. Tissue samples were normal. More fiber and probiotics ahead. I am so relieved.

Friends, if you are 45 or older or have any family history or abnormal signs, schedule your colonoscopy.

Signs to look for:

Blood in your stool
Changes in bowel habits
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent abdominal pain or cramping

Just call your doctor. Make sure they listen to you. I am grateful everyone listened to my concerns and didn’t make me feel anything but heard.

If I can do it, you can do it. Promise.

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Leslie Means

Leslie is the founder and owner of Her View From Home.com. She is also a former news anchor, published children’s book author, weekly columnist, and has several published short stories as well. She is married to a very patient man. Together they have three fantastic kids. When she’s not sharing too much personal information online and in the newspaper – you’ll find Leslie somewhere in Nebraska hanging out with family and friends. There’s also a 75% chance at any given time, you’ll spot her in the aisles at Target.