I lost my grandma to colon cancer at the age of 52.
I never got to meet her. She was so young and had so much life to still live.
Three years ago I had to begin my pre-screening with a routine colonoscopy as it can be genetic and yesterday… I had to do it again.
The prep for it is so unpleasant. It’s draining, invasive and disgusting, and yet I consider myself so lucky…. Because unlike my grandmother, I get the chance to screen for a cancer that can be preventable.
Three years ago I had a huge scare as when I went in for just a routine check they found a small mass that had to be removed… the doctor, who might I mention was the hottest doctor I’ve ever seen, really didn’t have much bedside manner and had me terrified as he was saying things like, “wow thank god we caught that in time…. And you’re so lucky we started these screenings when we did.”
I was terrified… so now, three years later, I had to go in again. The nurse in training couldn’t find a vein in my hand to get the intravenous line in so as I laid there listening to the beep of the machines and the nurse jabbing my hand with a needle, all while thoughts of my grandmother swirled through my head. I started to become hot and light headed and I passed out…I whispered quietly, “I’m going to faint”, and then all went black…. Not the way I wanted to start this procedure but again I consider myself lucky.
Thankfully the rest went well and I don’t need to return for five years to do this colonoscopy again….
I was emotional and relieved and exhausted and all the things.
I cried when my husband came to get me and drive me home. I tried to put on a brave face but to say I was relieved was an understatement …again I say I’m lucky for the chance to be pre-screened and stay ahead of the game.
Sometimes it is the hard things in life that give us the most reward. It’s the things that take us out of our comfort zones and terrify us that lead to the greatest conclusions.
When it comes to our health and well-being we need to stay on top of it.
Way better to worry now then when it’s too late.
So do the things that scare you….I’m thankful I did.
In our ‘Joy Journey’ this week I urge you to research the family history of medical things that run in your gene pool and discover things you need to keep an eye on or look out for. We never think to talk about these things, until it’s too late. Doesn’t sound very joyous to me, you’re saying… and you’re right! It’s not…. but joy is found in taking care of yourself and being around to live all those moments of joy that are coming for you… so go on… research, pay attention to your body and love yourself hard!
We’ve got this!
@half_full_most_days