This Wednesday morning I am having a colonoscopy. It is the fourth one I have had, since they found a polyp the first time around and a wonky appendix last time. I have adjusted to the protocol although it is unpleasant because I value the screening. I won’t go into all the details, but the day before you can only have clear liquids. A friend teased me that vodka is a clear liquid, by the way!
But in this new, revised and “better for you” instructions I received this time around, I was told that for three days before the procedure I was not to have whole grains, brown rice, nuts, popcorn, beans, fruits or vegetables. That list comprises about 95% of my regular diet with a little meat now and then. I have had to eat things I haven’t had in years including white bread, plain bagels and macaroni and cheese. In fact, if you look at the illustration above, I was to eat just the left side and not the right side.
I feel lousy. Everything they say about eating this way is true. It is not good for you. I find it hard to believe that this makes the preparation easier. For me it has simply extended the ordeal to four days instead of one. Who came up with this one? If you are a gastroenterologist, please respond ASAP.
I hesitate to ‘like’ this post and I’m sure you can understand why. All I can say is this same ghastly procedure is on my ‘to do’ list!
LikeLike
Well it is worth not having a polyp turn cancerous.
LikeLike
Yes. I just wish there was a less invasive test, maybe someday there will be.
LikeLike
It would be cool to,swallow a little camera except for having to retrieve it!
LikeLike
Colonoscopy, a procedure I hate most of all, just imagine the preparation and the hassle of it. It was during my colonoscopy where the doctors found those cancerous cysts in my colon.
LikeLike
Thank God they did and you are still alive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you get through this and get good results. I have been down the colonoscopy road two plus two proctograms. So glad to have lived to tell the tale!
LikeLike
They are good tests for prevention of cancer.
LikeLike
That’s funny el
LikeLike
Elizabeth, we were told that white bread etc are to be avoided.
Anyway most important is the treatment and wish you all the best and get well soon
LikeLike
It was just for three days, but it seemed like forever.
LikeLike
This seems too wonky to be true, but judging from the “food” that is often served to patients in hospitals, I am not surprised.
LikeLike
Totally different subject Leslie. Just got a note about a 2017 book called “Black Tudors” about the same era we were writing about with your male reader. Sounded good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder if it is the book by Miranda Kaufmann? I found a copy and hope to get around to reading it in the coming months.
LikeLike
Yes it is. I am getting a copy from inter library loan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wen you were listing which foods you weren’t to eat, my first thought was, “What else is there?” You are right that the diet seems counterintuitive.
LikeLike
White bread, white rice, sugar. Ugh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling your best lately. 😦
LikeLike
Thanks. That is why the editing delay.
LikeLike
Oh well you’re still way ahead of schedule, so I didn’t think you had fallen behind. Plenty of time to catch up!
LikeLike
Good.
LikeLike