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?