Logo Logo Logo Logo Logo
  • Find Care
  • Find Locations
  • Services
        • - ALL SERVICES -
        • Addiction Recovery
        • Bariatric Surgery
        • Behavioral Health
        • Cancer Care
        • Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab
        • Cardiology
        • Ear / Nose / Throat
        • Electrophysiology
        • Endocrinology
        • Gastroenterology
        • General Surgery
        • Hematology
        • Home Health
        • Home Medical Equipment
        • Hospitals
        • Infectious Disease
        • Labs
        • Long Term Acute Care Hospital
        • Lung Care
        • Med Spa (Rejuvenation)
        • Nephrology (Kidney)
        • Neurology
        • Orthopedics
        • Pain Medicine
        • Pediatrics
        • Pharmacy
        • PM & R
        • Podiatry
        • Pregnancy & Newborn Care
        • Primary Care (Family) / Internal Medicine
        • Radiation Oncology
        • Radiology / Imaging
        • Rehab (PT, OT, Speech Therapy)
        • Senior Care Program
        • Skilled Nursing/Swing
        • Sleep Labs
        • Urology
        • Vascular Surgery
        • Women's Health
        • Wound Care Centers
  • Careers
    • Find a Career
    • Find a Physician Career
  • Donate
  • I want to…
    • Buy ARH Apparel
    • Donate Now
    • Enroll in ARH School Program
    • Get Financial Assistance
    • Log In/Pay My Bill
    • Refill My Prescription
    • Request a Sponsorship
    • Volunteer
  • Learn More
    • About ARH
    • Chaplaincy
    • Community Needs Assessment
    • Connected Care
    • Foundation for Healthier Communities
    • Newsfeed
    • Price Transparency
    • Publications
  • Find Care
  • Find Locations
  • Services

    • – ALL SERVICES –
    • Addiction Recovery
    • Bariatric Surgery
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer Care
    • Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab
    • Cardiology
    • Ear / Nose / Throat
    • Electrophysiology
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • General Surgery
    • Hematology
    • Home Health
    • Home Medical Equipment
    • Hospitals
    • Infectious Disease
    • Labs
    • Long Term Acute Care Hospital
    • LUNG CARE
    • Nephrology (Kidney)
    • Neurology
    • Med Spa (Rejuvenation)
    • Orthopedics
    • Pain Medicine
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharmacy
    • PM & R
    • Podiatry
    • PREGNANCY & NEWBORN CARE
    • Primary Care (Family) / Internal Medicine
    • Radiation Oncology
    • Radiology / Imaging
    • Rehab (PT, OT, Speech Therapy)
    • Senior Care Program
    • Skilled Nursing/Swing
    • Sleep Labs
    • Urology
    • Vascular Surgery
    • Women’s Health
    • Wound Care Centers
  • Careers

    • Find a Career
    • Find a Physician Career
  • Donate
  • I want to…

    • Buy ARH Apparel
    • Donate Now
    • Enroll in ARH School Program
    • Get Financial Assistance
    • Log In/Pay My Bill
    • Refill My Prescription
    • Request a Sponsorship
    • Volunteer
  • Learn More

    • About ARH
    • Chaplaincy
    • Community Needs Assessment
    • Connected Care
    • Foundation for Healthier Communities
    • Newsfeed
    • Price Transparency
    • Publications
  • My ARH Chart

Colonoscopy: Take Care of Business

November 21st, 2023

Well, I finally had my colonoscopy done. If you feel that I’m not very excited, you would be right. This is one of the procedures that most individuals do not look forward to, but it is necessary to protect your health. Dr. Heath Brashear, a general surgeon at the Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center, was so wonderfully kind during our pre-op appointment and took the time to explain the procedure, why it was necessary, what I could expect from him, and the prep that needed to be done before the procedure.

 

In the meantime, everyone I talked to wanted to tell me about their colonoscopy prep experience. It was frightening! I can’t tell you how many times I heard “the prep is the worst part.” Well, it is and was the worst part. It was not pleasant, nor something I’d voluntarily do of my own volition. However, for me, it was not as traumatic as some indicated it had been for them. It’s a bit uncomfortable, sure, but 100% doable.

 

On the day of my procedure, my sweet mom agreed to join me as my driver, and we hit the road. When we arrived at the Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center, registration took less than five minutes, and I was on my way back to pre-op. The facility was warm and cheerful, a welcome contrast to the very cold and rainy morning. The staff was friendly and took excellent care of me. The anesthesiologist even entertained us with some fun stories when he came by for his pre-procedure visit.

 

The whole morning was easy and pleasant. I was a bit stressed about being put under sedation for the first time in over 30 years, but Dr. Brashear and the rest of the staff made me feel so comfortable that my stress faded away and I went to sleep, only to wake up what felt like seconds later in recovery. While I was gone, my mom made friends with other families in the recovery area and the staff.

 

The best news was that my colonoscopy revealed no issues at all, and I don’t have to have one for another 10 years (note: please discuss appropriate screening timelines with your providers)! The peace of mind that I gained from this procedure was certainly worth the prep and the trip. One less thing to worry about! I highly recommend Dr. Brashear and the team at Hazard ARH.

 

As we were making our way home from the hospital, we had a good laugh about how much I had dreaded this procedure and had put it off for so long only to find out that it wasn’t bad at all. The prep was at times less than a party, but it wasn’t traumatic and the procedure itself was a breeze. I had no adverse symptoms after the procedure. In 10 years when it is time for this again, I will not be stressed, worried, or afraid!

 

No weigh-in this week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Thank you all for your support and following along! Have you made your appointment for a colonoscopy?

 

VIEW ARH COLONOSCOPY LOCATIONS

Note: Every health journey is unique. I am sharing my personal health journey and the specific recommendations I am receiving on my quest to better health. I encourage you to consult with your provider to learn how you can become healthier too. This website, blog, and article does not provide medical advice and is for informational purposes only. No material on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

To learn more about the ARH Foundation, and how you can help please visit arh.org/arh-foundation/ Main page
SIGN UP FOR ARH FOUNDATION E-NEWS
RETURN TO LIVING WELL
DONATE TO ARH FOUNDATION
ABOUT ARH
  • About ARH
  • Newsfeed
  • ARH Foundation
  • My ARH Chart
  • ARH Strategic Plan
  • Financial Assistance
  • Price Transparency Text File
  • Price Transparency
  • No Surprise Billing
  • Sponsorship Request Application
  • ARH EOE M/F/D/V
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Notice of 3rd Party Data Breach
  • Publications
  • Medical Cannabis Use at ARH
  • Patient Rights
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
OUR TEAM
  • Careers
  • Chaplaincy
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • ARH VOLUNTEERS
ARH BIG SANDY REGION
  • ARH OUR LADY OF THE WAY
  • HIGHLANDS ARH REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
  • MCDOWELL ARH HOSPITAL
  • MORGAN COUNTY ARH HOSPITAL
  • PAINTSVILLE ARH HOSPITAL
  • TUG VALLEY ARH REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
ARH CUMBERLAND VALLEY REGION
  • BARBOURVILLE ARH HOSPITAL
  • HARLAN ARH HOSPITAL
  • MIDDLESBORO ARH HOSPITAL
ARH KY RIVER REGION
  • HAZARD ARH REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
  • MARY BRECKINRIDGE ARH HOSPITAL
  • WHITESBURG ARH HOSPITAL
ARH WEST VIRGINIA REGION
  • BECKLEY ARH HOSPITAL
  • SUMMERS COUNTY ARH HOSPITAL

Facebook Instagram Youtube Linkedin

© Copyright 2025 APPALACHIAN REGIONAL HEALTHCARE