Thursday, October 25, 2007

I got poked, not on FB

Getting poked everyday on FB is a normal affair for me, but to get poked physically by other men (doctors lah!) besides my hubby is awkward. After two consultations, I was ordered to do a colonoscopy by my doctor a month ago.

Although I was told that it was a safe procedure, I was still anxious. And friends whom I consulted didn't help. Scaring me with 'Banglas nudging each other and smirking in the corridor as you were wheeled out of the threatre'.... 'What if there's perforation and you need to carry a bag with you at all times?'

Okay, that got me sitting down to calculating the insurance payout odds should a mishap happen. k-chinggg k-chinggg, money money money! hehehe.....

The day before the colonoscopy, I had to change to a soft diet - porridge and soup noodles. From 6pm, I had to drink 4 litres of Colonic lavage powder solution over 4 hours. And after drinking that, it was frequent runs to the toilet until I finally collapsed onto bed. It was already wordless Wednesday and I was actionless........

The morning of my procedure, I was in the Endoscopy Centre by 9.30am. After changing into a sarong, a doctor came to put an IV needle into my right hand. Ouccchhhh! I hate needles! I was pushed into the threatre at 11am and out in 20 minutes.

One thing very comforting was the doctors were young good-looking chaps. hahaha..... now I'm smirking. I'm glad I went for a spa to cleanse and scrub my whole body before this. I must have the best looking butt among those patients that day! The poor doctors, tsk tsk tsk ..... having to poke butts and look at colons everyday.

I was given painkillers and slept the whole of yesterday and today. I'm feeling better.

Oh... oh... for those of you who asked for 4Ds, here goes. Bed 26, operating threater 03. Yesterday was 24th October. All the other numbers are in the post. Good luck!

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Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables an examiner (usually a gastroenterologist) to evaluate the appearance of the inside of the colon (large bowel). This is accomplished by inserting a flexible tube that is about the thickness of a finger into the anus, and then advancing it slowly, under visual control, into the rectum and through the colon. It is performed with the visual control of either looking through the instrument or with viewing a TV monitor.

Why is colonoscopy done?
This test may be done for a variety of reasons. Most often it is done to investigate the finding of blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea, a change in the bowel habits, or an abnormality found on colon x- ray or a CT scan. Certain individuals with previous history of polyps or colon cancer and certain individuals with family history of particular malignancies or colon problems may be advised to have periodic colonoscopies because they are at a greater risk of polyps or colon cancer.

Due to the high mortality associated with colon cancer and the high effectivity and low risks associated with colonoscopy, it is now also becoming a routine screening test for people 50 years of age or older. Subsequent rescreenings are then scheduled based on the initial results found, with a five- or ten-year recall being common for colonoscopies that produce normal results.




37 comments:

  1. Urgh! Cant imagine getting it done. So, how were the results?

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  2. stay at home mum,
    It is advisable to have it done because colon cancer is one of the top killers in Singapore. Due to the greasy food we Chinese are eating, and not getting enough fibre.

    Luckily, I passed the test. Phew! I was very worried becos of the change in my stool and one excessive bleeding two months ago.

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  3. Glad you're better now. The whole process still sound a bit scary for me though

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  4. Get well soon!!

    No Padang action for you in the nxt few days, ya... :D

    *sad meow*
    *hugs*

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  5. I think it's the thought of it that makes me squirm and afraid to go for these checkups! but one fine day I'm pretty sure I'll have to go for them...

    till then...

    procrastinate! hahaha!

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  6. I oso kena poked recently woh. Not once but 3 times. I did a CT Scan of the brain. Its a much more comfortable procedure compared to yours. Haha.

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  7. Doreen,
    It's inconvenient and invasive but it is a must when we get older. Cancer you know, dun play play. At least I can sleep well for the next 5 years. hehe....

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  8. My angel,
    aiyahhhh... no Padang action for days mann!!!

    Hope you get lots of Padang action. sob... sob...

    bye bye... sob.... sob..... my horniday....

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  9. May,
    I procrastinated for 2 years!!! I was having a change in stool and suspecting something but kept procrastinating. Yes, because of the embarassing procedure and now I can have ease of mind. sigh.... blisss.......

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  10. mumsgather,
    Huh? Brain? What procedure is that? I kena bottom you kena top. hehehe.....

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  11. Despite this yucky procedure, it is a very necessary one. When we reach 40, we should all have this done. It's a preventive measure that can catch certain cancers before it's to late. I commend your making this aware to everyone.

    Glad you are feeling better.

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  12. wah laoooo!!! kesian betul..

    im getting my wisdom TEETH pulled out in dec when i get back. but always wrong timing.. cos u see hor, first week back cannot go pull cos needa stuff myself with food mar. second week, almost christmas liao. how can right? then new year, then KL, then CNY, then come back adelaide liao. wah lau! but no lar. hehehe. MUST go pull out soon.

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  13. Oh God .. wishing you all the best ...

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  14. I am glad to hear that you have passed the test. :)

    Does it mean that you would need to eat a lot of fibre-containing food from today onwards?

    I shall compliment you here for mustering the courage to go for the test. Cheers.

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  15. Good to hear that you're in the pink!
    Yep, you're right about colon cancer being one of the top cancers in kiasuland. Sadly, one of my directors was a victim several years ago. He has passed on since.

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  16. You poor gal..!! if i was in singapore.. i would go hold your hands. :)

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  17. It's not the best part of being a doctor to do those to patients. After all, not all of them go to a spa like you do.

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  18. Join me in my celebration feast? ( Toast to good health)

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  19. Your post came out at the right time (weekends is here) :) I'm sure lots your readers will ve buying 4Ds :)

    Glad that the test is over for you and you are ok :)

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  20. Doesn't sound good at all. Hope you're feeling better by now, remember that fibre is good for you.

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  21. Never thought of this kind of check before. After reading the post, I'm not sure would I want to go through the pain even if it's free. Hmm... I'll pass it for now.

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  22. Mike,
    Yes, it is a necessary test for colon cancer as we get older. It's embarrassing to admit I've been poked in my arse but to raise the awareness of this cancer, I have to do it.

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  23. ehon,
    The faster you get your wisdom teeth out, the better for you. Dun give any more excuses or else you'll never get it done! Do it in the first week so that you can start eating in the second week. Come, I give you courage.

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  24. oceanskies,
    I have regularly been eating lotsa vegies and fruits and less meat. Now, I'm gonna be more conscious of what I eat.

    What to do! I want to live to see my grandson get married! hahaha.....

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  25. cocka,
    Oh no. The poor man. That's why you went for the test.

    Thanks for your kind advice and encouragement, I finally got through it! Yeah!!

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  26. mamabok,
    You beary kind lah! I know you would do it for me.
    *sob* kum tong.....

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  27. Captain Picard,
    Yep. I appreciate the good, young handsome doctors very much. I would invite them all to join me for a spa if they are willing to. hahaha....

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  28. yenjai,
    Thanks. I will. I want to live longer aso mah.

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  29. just me,
    Yes! Both of us got a clean bill of health! Congratulations and Celebrations!! lalalalala......

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  30. lzmommy,
    hahaha.... so funny. I think some readers tiok 4D the last time I kena car accident. They kept asking me for 4D whenever I kena suay things! kakaka....
    choi choi choi... touch wood!

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  31. east meets west kitchen,
    Thanks. I'm fine now. I passed my medical test!

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  32. windy,
    I cannot lie and say it's painless and a breeze. It's really awkward and uncomfortable. I dunno why I had the pain and was knocked out for 2 days. Maybe I'm weak and too fragile. blekkkk....

    It's better to have a check when the time comes. Better be safe than sorry.

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  33. Glad to hear that everything is fine and get well soon. Too bad no meow and purrr for u.

    how about if the colonoscopy was done by the lengchai doctor, Bernard? :)

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  34. oh god! my ex had colonoscopy too and i was wondering wat the heck it was.
    thanks for ur informative post!!
    im glad u are okay. i think too much rice and salt are not good for health. i cant live without rice thoo :)
    please take care!!

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