The Colon Club

Where's that grandson of mine when you need him?! gummy bears seriously

Yep, colonoscopy #4 coming right up. Generally speaking, we're all one colonoscopy away from a possible cancer diagnosis.

First one age 50, precancerous-infected polyp + garden variety polyps. I was one of the lucky ones...symptomatic. Sudden onset of bloating, distended belly, chills, sweats, passed blood..ALL AT ONCE!
Scope #2 6 years later only b/c I was caregiver to my DM & really difficult to get away. Polyps removed w/that one. 3 years later had #3; clear this time. Now another 6 years later. We'll see next Wed. Not taking bets on this one. Passed blood in March.

Never had SUPREP or 2 1/2 day fast before a colonoscopy & not particularly looking forward to it from what I read on here about it. I'm older now, but that ONE daily fiber pill puts me in the chronically constipated category. And since all supplements must be d/c'd 7 days prior, that little capsule went away. So I asked the question: "If I drank prune juice, ate prunes, bran, flaxseed etc., daily, rather than just take a pill, would I then be considered chronically constiatped? Reply: " ". That's right; silence...for a moment. The capsules are problematic.
So as I sit here eating prunes, drinking PlumSmart (yes, Ms. Nurse, that one fiber pill does make a difference), thought I'd babble on a bit about this "news-to-BS"-prep & diet.

Menu:
Ensure Clear (therapeutic nutrition), Apple flavor. Purchased @ Walgreens. The pharmacist wasn't even aware of it, but the pharmacy clerk was! Yay! Regular grocery store carried Ensure Clear (not therapeutic) in blueberry/pomegranite, but, can't have purple or red during fast. Guess what? I told the nurse where to get it. She was glad to know. People helping people; that's what we do here (most of the time ).
Powerade Zero
100% white grape juice
Gummy bears (orange flavor). Ok I may want to chew on a little something.
Butterscotch hard candies
Round ball suckers in green apple, pina colada, blueberries & cream.

So I'm told they want patients to have sugar, even diabetics (which I am not...as of today, that is).

Ok. ok I didn't need to pick up the Good & Plenty's & candy corn from my childhood memories, but that's pre-fasting menu Oh & WHITE bread. What a diet! No seeds, nuts, whole grains 7 days before procedure. That's new. Believe it used to be 3 or 4 days prior.

I may be the person that gains weight while on a 2 1/2 day fasting diet crazy
I'm hungry already.

BS

Awesome!

So, what is the venue of this tailgate party? Will it be in your driveway by any chance? And who's invited to this auspicious event?

And what about gate-crashers?

Will CRguy be there? And are campers allowed in your driveway? ... Lots of unanswered questions ...

OK...two enthusiastic RSVP(ers) so far. I may have to up the ante a bit. After all, gummy bear candy is not a big draw...I get it; not my favorite either. The nurse & receptionists act as if gummy bears are a BIG DEAL.
I think we need to SPIKE the PUNCH (SUPREP) to make it a little more enticing. Beer, white wine, tequila, whiskey, vodka, peppermint schnapps, rum, kahlua (got everything but beer & vodka). Just no purple or red.

As I sit here sipping & nibbling on my morning "Happy Hour" cocktail (more plum juice & prunes) I will try to address your questions, Jacques. But be warned: everyone will need to be a card-carrying member of The Colon Club, pinned to your shirts, signature & moniker included, to be allowed through the gates of this exclusive tailgate party.

Everyone is invited, Mods & gate-crashers included (not necessarily synonymous hehehe). Need a new gate anyway. The more the merrier as I suspect conversations will be intermittent.
RV's, campers welcome, however reserving the RV pad (where my rolling garden is) for the refreshments, music & the "happy dance". Gates will be OPEN for that mad rush down the driveway to the Portable "honey pot" outhouses lining the house side of the street. Other side of driveway will be available + parking up, down, across the street.

The only caveat @ this point is the hose blew out on the pressure washer in July & I have not yet replaced it. (need to get on that)

Expecting a HUGE turnout for this 'end of summer' party
Don't disappoint me now.

BS

Did someone say tailgate? I'm N.

Peanut, YOU are cracking me up today

AND...looks like you got your new BABY!!! Yahya!!

BS

That's Ms. Scarlett. Tried to get a pic of her in her Huskers scrunchie, but she has trouble sitting still. Part chupacabra most likely.

[quote="bitchslapped"]Where's that grandson of mine when you need him?! gummy bears seriously

Yep, colonoscopy #4 coming right up. Generally speaking, we're all one colonoscopy away from a possible cancer diagnosis.

First one age 50, precancerous-infected polyp + garden variety polyps. I was one of the lucky ones...symptomatic. Sudden onset of bloating, distended belly, chills, sweats, passed blood..ALL AT ONCE!
Scope #2 6 years later only b/c I was caregiver to my DM & really difficult to get away. Polyps removed w/that one. 3 years later had #3; clear this time. Now another 6 years later. We'll see next Wed. Not taking bets on this one. Passed blood in March.

Never had SUPREP or 2 1/2 day fast before a colonoscopy & not particularly looking forward to it from what I read on here about it. I'm older now, but that ONE daily fiber pill puts me in the chronically constipated category. And since all supplements must be d/c'd 7 days prior, that little capsule went away. So I asked the question: "If I drank prune juice, ate prunes, bran, flaxseed etc., daily, rather than just take a pill, would I then be considered chronically constiatped? Reply: " ". That's right; silence...for a moment. The capsules are problematic.
So as I sit here eating prunes, drinking PlumSmart (yes, Ms. Nurse, that one fiber pill does make a difference), thought I'd babble on a bit about this "news-to-BS"-prep & diet.

Menu:
Ensure Clear (therapeutic nutrition), Apple flavor. Purchased @ Walgreens. The pharmacist wasn't even aware of it, but the pharmacy clerk was! Yay! Regular grocery store carried Ensure Clear (not therapeutic) in blueberry/pomegranite, but, can't have purple or red during fast. Guess what? I told the nurse where to get it. She was glad to know. People helping people; that's what we do here (most of the time ).
Powerade Zero
100% white grape juice
Gummy bears (orange flavor). Ok I may want to chew on a little something.
Butterscotch hard candies
Round ball suckers in green apple, pina colada, blueberries & cream.

So I'm told they want patients to have sugar, even diabetics (which I am not...as of today, that is).

Ok. ok I didn't need to pick up the Good & Plenty's & candy corn from my childhood memories, but that's pre-fasting menu Oh & WHITE bread. What a diet! No seeds, nuts, whole grains 7 days before procedure. That's new. Believe it used to be 3 or 4 days prior.

I may be the person that gains weight while on a 2 1/2 day fasting diet crazy
I'm hungry already. :mr green

What's that Michael? Nice to see you on forum.

So, nobody showed up to the tailagte party which is a good thing, seeing as how I missed in the instructions in all caps: "ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL". Not a problem for me anyway.

MY IMPRESSION OF SUPREP:
My first time w/SUPREP Not bad IMO. Used a straw, mixed w/Lemon Crystal Light, gulped it down fast w/o breathing so was ok. But from what I could taste = still not awfully bad. Doc said was one of the more patient-preferred preps which goes against what I have read on here.

TIPS:
Went through a LOT of cottonballs that I dipped in Bag Balm (imagine Vaseline or the like would do as well) & applied to anus after blotting w/toilet paper (NO wiping). Absolutely no rawness, no mess, no hemorrhoid bleeding or discomfort & I have both internal & external hemorrhoids.

THIS N THAT:
Most challenging for me was the 2-day fast & lack of nutrition which basically consisted of sugar, salt, however Ensure Clear Therapeutic has 8 grams of protein but lots of sugar. Apple flavor I thought was good. Bone broth had 10 grams of protein, but honestly was FLAT; had to add a bullion cube to that & still a bit flat tasting. What I really wanted was one of my garden-fresh cucumbers!
Even though jello, bone broth, Ensure, gummy bears & hard candies are allowed, it still seemed a bit of a challenge, looking a bit haggard.
All & all a small price to pay w/hopefully big dividends in avoiding a possible cancer diagnosis or catching cancer as early as possible...
Always exceptions of course as in my DH's case. Colonoscopy @ age 40, ST IV @ 47.

WHAT'S NEW:
There are studies for a new edible colonoscopy prep apparently in Phase 3 trials, though can't imagine what they might taste like:
https://www.beckersasc.com/gastroentero ... ights.html
https://sebelapharma.com/pipeline/
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/stu ... =2&rank=18

RESULTS:
Did have a couple of small polyps in descending colon (5 & 7mm); pathology not back yet. Significant looping of the colon, diverticulosis sigmoid, descending colon, internal non-bleeding-sizable hemorrhoids, most likely cause of passing blood in March. Doc says may need to address that w/colorectal surgeon; I'm hoping NOT.
So, not the healthiest colon I would say. Looks like next colonoscopy 5 years out.

Images of loopy (aka tortuous colon):




Hope this is followup report is somewhat helpful for a few of the folks "out there".


BS
P.S. Don't anticipate purchasing gummy bears any time soon.

Hi ,
Hope everything turns out ok for you . I read your thread with interest but we don’t get colonoscopies so I have nothing to bring to the table . . Did pass my Bowel screen though . It came through the post ten years to the day my mum was diagnosed as a stage 4 patient . It was a bit weird .
Hope your well . I will send you a wee email soon .
Stu

I am using suprep for the second time for my 3 year colonoscopy in October. My instructions only require fasting the day before when prepping. 2 1/2 days of fasting seems rough. I thought suprep was okay. It doesn't taste great but is less to drink. There are a couple newer ones (prepopik, clenpiq) that I think are even less and have had good reviews. My surgeon only allows suprep or golytely. So suprep it is. Not looking forward to the prep, but it is a small price to pay. Praying your pathology reports show nothing. Keep us updated.

Well, that party is over. Had one precancerous polyp out of two ; back in five years.

Agree w/you Susie; Suprep is very doable.

Anytime one passes a bowel screening, Stu, is a good thing!

Thanks for the well wishes ladies

BS

Glad everything is okay. I get to get mine real soon. Suppose to be done by the end of the year, may put off to January.

Butt isn't it nice when it's in the rear view mirror.

Lee