Nouveau’s Ella (57) took part in the bowel cancer screening program and received the thick envelope as a result, never a good sign.
There are people in my area who do not participate in population screenings for breast cancer, colon cancer and cervical cancer. They don’t want to know, they dread the tests or they are just afraid.
All completely human and understandable emotions. Personally, I’m not keen either, but I also think: what do those few minutes of persevering mean in the light of a possible early discovery of trouble and a much better chance of survival if something turns out to be wrong? Chemo is not that unique after all.
Follow-up research
I was diagnosed with colon cancer after the population screening – what midlife do you want? – the thick envelope as a result. Then you know before you open it that follow-up research needs to be done. I was shocked, but I attended the intake a week later, with the colonoscopy the following week. This involves inspecting the inside of your colon through your bowel movement with a camera. People often chuckle that in their fifties you have experienced everything once, but this was actually a first time for me.
Wetwipes, people!
Three to four days of very low-fiber food in preparation went against my normal diet of everything whole grain and laxatives required proximity to a toilet, but it was doable. For those who have not yet experienced it and also receive the thick envelope: stock up on wetwipes, because it gets a bit thin at the bottom and a piece of chewing gum helps against the slightly different taste in your mouth.
Big clearance
I followed the schedule very carefully, because this is really one of those examinations that you don’t want to have to repeat because you ruined the prep. And in the end I was able to conclude with satisfaction that everything inside was nicely cleaned up.
This was also evident from the colonoscopy. You don’t hear me say that true beauty comes from within, but for a large intestine it didn’t look bad, I noticed at times when I looked at the screen in a groggy state. A few polyps were removed and before I knew it, I was already in the recovery room with a nice Spaarne nurse who arrived with tea and a cheese sandwich and also threw in a stroopwafel.
Small talk
I had a chat within ten minutes, and to be honest the prep was more challenging than the research itself. Moreover, I was able to go home relieved with the provisional verdict ‘no reason to worry’.
Sisterhood
The sisterhood of sisters-in-law and friends was just as happy with the app as I was. Among them are two besties (we have known each other for over forty years) who have previously been selected in population screenings: one for breast cancer, the other for cervical cancer. One was released unscathed after quite a few examinations, while the other was wrong and some things had to be removed. She’s still there, she’s under control, we can still hug each other and laugh together and joke about everything that comes with middle age.
Please join us
To be honest, I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t have gone to those checks. If you get the call to come to the breast bus, have a smear test or take a shit on a newspaper, just do it. The studies don’t show that much, just know and we still have a lot to live for.
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2023-09-08 14:00:00
#colonoscopy #midlifer #dont #firsts #anymore
