Normal is Good

I'm back watching TV, recovering from the colonoscopy today. Everything looks good. My doctor even scoped up to the small intestine to check and took tissue samples in case something microscopic (colitis) might be causing an infection. Before the procedure, Dr. Brown-Chang sat down and explained  (with her exquisite British accent) that the chance of us finding anything is slim. She said that my tumor marker elevation is also small. Most doctors would not think twice of the .5 increase over normal, but oncologists tend to be overly concerned about blood tests. She admitted that sometimes doctors find something, but if today's scope revealed nothing (which it most likely did), then we should consider that this might be my normal marker level. She's seen patients undergoing excessive biopsies and even surgeries because of just a marker. To Dr. Kohn's defense, she was on a watching pattern for 7 months until I mentioned slight changes in my bowels, and at that point, because it was related to the GI, decided it was enough of a symptom to explore further. Walt has been skeptical of the need of this procedure all along. I went along with it because I'd rather for overkill than wish we had caught something earlier. Dr. Brown-Chang said she would send a letter if the tissue samples were negative or call if she found something, but that I'll probably not need to come back for 10 years. I told her I'd have Dr. Kohn call her if she wants to do this again. She thought it was a grand idea.

After not having any solid food since Sunday night, I naturally was hungry as we left the office. Walt agreed to go to Trader Joes where I picked up tart cherry juice, a salad, popcorn and some dark-chocolate covered almonds. It was a lovely lunch. I've been watching tv/dozing for the rest of the day. The nurse warned me that I might not be thinking clearly today because of the sedative given to me, so tomorrow I'll check to see if any of this makes sense.

I am very thankful and at peace today. No more doctor appointments until September 11th, when I see my endocrinologist about my thyroid.

Prep Day

Tomorrow is my colonoscopy. Because of the clinic's new prep regimen, things are a bit different this time around. After drinking down the bottle of magnesium citrate, I started my trips to the bathroom last night. With last year's prep in mind, I scheduled a vet visit for Sugar this morning. My only concern was how hungry I might feel, since I'd be fasting all day. I did cancel another appointment I made at 2 after reading I needed to be home to start taking medicine at 3. As I got ready to go this morning, I sure hoped I didn't regret scheduling this appointment.

The family at the beginning of the trip

Fortunately, the trip was without incident and Sugar is doing fine, for an "old girl." This old girl went on a hike with us yesterday. The whole family climbed the trails together, laughing and chatting. Then we went to Panera Bread for my last meal. (I wanted soup, not because of a craving, but trying to be wise on what would be easy to digest.) With only a few days of summer vacation left, I am eager for as many family adventures as possible.

Ben and Sugar at the end

 Today, however, the kids have been on the computer too much, I'm watching marathon Netflix, and we are just trying to get through this day of prep. Nathan has his board of review for rank of Life Scout tonight. One more before Eagle! Walt is able to take him, Becca caught a ride to soccer practice from the Baughns, and Ben is happily hanging out with a neighbor. Tomorrow afternoon is my procedure. I try not to think about what my first food will be, as it makes me hungry, but whatever it is, I'm looking forward to it. Mostly, we are trusting God that this procedure is just a bit of overkill, something we cancer patients endure because of the deadly nature and unpredictability of this dreadful disease. My hope is that, not only does the doctor not discover any cancer, but maybe she'll find out a reason why my tumor marker is elevated. If possible, I'll post the results tomorrow.