Well, I'm scheduled for a colon scope this afternoon at 1430 hrs at Changi General Hospital.
Three days earlier, I had to abstain from all fruits, vegetables or any iron-supplement products such as ferrous sulphate and vitamins containing iron. Fortunately, rice, meat and other solid food were allowed. Yesterday, I had to take clear feeds and liquid meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Solid food such as rice, oats or bread, milk or milk products were taboo. Clear liquids such as water, clear fruit juices or clear soup were permitted.
At 1400 hrs yesterday, I drank 15ml of Fleet in 1 glass of water every 15 minutes - a total of 45ml. Following this, I started drinking 2 ltrs of Colonic Lavage powder solution (2 pkts) over 2 hrs - 250ml every 15 mins. From 1500hrs, for about 3 hrs, the deluge of watery and loose stools overwhelmed me, with each evacuation occuring every 20 minutes or so. Each seating was about 10-15 minutes. So what did I do? I read 'The Afgan' by Frederick Forsyth and predictably, the suspense and drama kept me on my seat - pun intended - sometimes longer than required.
So what did I eat before 1400hrs, did I hear you asking? For breakfast, I had century egg and minced pork porridge at a nearby kopi-tiam. It cost $2.50 but was really not value for money - but then again, in today's context of global inflation and astronomical prices coupled with the inability of our new generation of hawkers to cook traditional dishes the traditional way, what can be done? Well, that's another thing, right?
I didn't feel hungry once I started on my voluntary purge of my digestive system, in particular my colon. It must have been the volumunous amount of liquid transcending my system and fooling my brain into thinking that it was food. Strangely, no hunger pangs even last night when the family started on their Hainanese Pork Chop rice or even this morning as I blogged. I drank Marigold Soya Bean and Yakult and these seemed to work fine for me. I'm drinking Nescafe Gold black coffee as I blog now.
So, why the colonoscopy procedure now? This is my very first scope not that I have problems with my bowel movement or that I suspect polyps growing in my colon. But what triggered my inertia was my piles - that's common with many people who care to admit. I've had piles for many years now and they bleed infrequently though there were occasions when I was taken aback when I coloured the toilet bowl in fresh red blood!
This happened recently, and with the wide media publicity given to colon cancer and colonoscopy, I thought it is time to submit myself to the inquisitive and all-probing eye of the scope once and for all.
In my preliminary consultation with my specialist, Dr Chen Chung Ming at CGH, he probed and found several piles, albeit small ones. These were not bleeding at the time of examination but that was because my GP had prescribed Daflon 500mg tablets and I had been taking them. Dr Chen was patient and professional as he explained the colonoscopy procedures and took questions from me. For my piles, he would 'rubber-band' them and these should eventually drop off together with the stools. This would be a simple process taking only a couple of minutes. Should he encounter any polyps or growth in the colon, he explained that he would clip them off but this may cause some minor bleeding in some patients. The bleeding would heal on its own accord.
I was advised not to drive to CGH and to have someone fetch me home after the scope since antibiotics and a sedative would be injected through a cannula in my vein on the back of the hand. I think I'm going to drive there this afternoon because I feel no ill-effects given the liquids I've consumed. To counter the sedative's after-effects, I plan on staying in the Observation Room for 6 hours post-surgery. I'm actually killing two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.
I'm covered under AIA's Prestige Health Shield, having upgraded the plan from Gold in December last year. Needless to say, I've got a wonderful agent who is absolutely professional in her academic and professional qualifications as well as in her approach. I will need to fulfil the post-surgery hours to make my claims. Now what about the parking charges at CGH? Wouldn't it cost a bomb parking from 1400-2100hrs? Tell you what, I've found a nearby spot within walking distance, and best of all, it's free!
Three days earlier, I had to abstain from all fruits, vegetables or any iron-supplement products such as ferrous sulphate and vitamins containing iron. Fortunately, rice, meat and other solid food were allowed. Yesterday, I had to take clear feeds and liquid meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Solid food such as rice, oats or bread, milk or milk products were taboo. Clear liquids such as water, clear fruit juices or clear soup were permitted.
At 1400 hrs yesterday, I drank 15ml of Fleet in 1 glass of water every 15 minutes - a total of 45ml. Following this, I started drinking 2 ltrs of Colonic Lavage powder solution (2 pkts) over 2 hrs - 250ml every 15 mins. From 1500hrs, for about 3 hrs, the deluge of watery and loose stools overwhelmed me, with each evacuation occuring every 20 minutes or so. Each seating was about 10-15 minutes. So what did I do? I read 'The Afgan' by Frederick Forsyth and predictably, the suspense and drama kept me on my seat - pun intended - sometimes longer than required.
So what did I eat before 1400hrs, did I hear you asking? For breakfast, I had century egg and minced pork porridge at a nearby kopi-tiam. It cost $2.50 but was really not value for money - but then again, in today's context of global inflation and astronomical prices coupled with the inability of our new generation of hawkers to cook traditional dishes the traditional way, what can be done? Well, that's another thing, right?
I didn't feel hungry once I started on my voluntary purge of my digestive system, in particular my colon. It must have been the volumunous amount of liquid transcending my system and fooling my brain into thinking that it was food. Strangely, no hunger pangs even last night when the family started on their Hainanese Pork Chop rice or even this morning as I blogged. I drank Marigold Soya Bean and Yakult and these seemed to work fine for me. I'm drinking Nescafe Gold black coffee as I blog now.
So, why the colonoscopy procedure now? This is my very first scope not that I have problems with my bowel movement or that I suspect polyps growing in my colon. But what triggered my inertia was my piles - that's common with many people who care to admit. I've had piles for many years now and they bleed infrequently though there were occasions when I was taken aback when I coloured the toilet bowl in fresh red blood!
This happened recently, and with the wide media publicity given to colon cancer and colonoscopy, I thought it is time to submit myself to the inquisitive and all-probing eye of the scope once and for all.
In my preliminary consultation with my specialist, Dr Chen Chung Ming at CGH, he probed and found several piles, albeit small ones. These were not bleeding at the time of examination but that was because my GP had prescribed Daflon 500mg tablets and I had been taking them. Dr Chen was patient and professional as he explained the colonoscopy procedures and took questions from me. For my piles, he would 'rubber-band' them and these should eventually drop off together with the stools. This would be a simple process taking only a couple of minutes. Should he encounter any polyps or growth in the colon, he explained that he would clip them off but this may cause some minor bleeding in some patients. The bleeding would heal on its own accord.
I was advised not to drive to CGH and to have someone fetch me home after the scope since antibiotics and a sedative would be injected through a cannula in my vein on the back of the hand. I think I'm going to drive there this afternoon because I feel no ill-effects given the liquids I've consumed. To counter the sedative's after-effects, I plan on staying in the Observation Room for 6 hours post-surgery. I'm actually killing two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.
I'm covered under AIA's Prestige Health Shield, having upgraded the plan from Gold in December last year. Needless to say, I've got a wonderful agent who is absolutely professional in her academic and professional qualifications as well as in her approach. I will need to fulfil the post-surgery hours to make my claims. Now what about the parking charges at CGH? Wouldn't it cost a bomb parking from 1400-2100hrs? Tell you what, I've found a nearby spot within walking distance, and best of all, it's free!
5 comments:
Wow, nice blog Mr Low. I could use your blog to further improved on my english language. Your's is the only blog that i have visited with good english being used. :) hehe
I have also started blogging in 2006, after you told me to do so. But my entry most are in broken english. :)
When you sms me, i could not understand what is a colon scope. After reading your blog, i further understood and your post them in details. Thanks :)
Do take care of your health Mr Low.
Wish you all the best and pink of health always :)
Ressal
Thanks, Ressal. Blogging will help you improve your EL for sure. I was given a week's hospitalisation leave by my specialist to recover from my surgical procedure. Besides some discomfort - that's to be expected - I'm in the pink of health :D
Yeah I agree on that!
I started blogging in 2006 and each time i read back my entry, i usually would laugh at my english! haha. But mostly my blog entry do have mixture of some malay, singlish (haha) and typo error.
Wah 1 week leave huh? Have a wonderful rest. Don't think of your work. HAHA if only i am able to do relief, i would do relief for your classes but i bet the students are celebrating! haha :)
Great to hear that you are in the pink of health :)
I've lost count on how many comments I've posted on your blog today. My sis has been screaming for the Internet connection I'm currently using; it's the only one we have. I've been delaying my promise for... never mind, I didn't bother to count.
Anyway, your colonoscopy procedure sounds like a living nightmare to me! I'd an operation 3 times, and, yes, I've breathed in the gas (forgot what it's called)for sedation for 3 blooming times! The thought of it scares me. It's just like one of those horrifying haunted hospital movies. I was very young back then. I overheard my parents asking the doctors to give me the most comfortable operation. Obviously, no parents would want their children to feel the pain and mine is no exception. I was relieved for awhile when the doctor said I didn't need to be sedated by injection; it is only required for adults. It seems that the difference between adults and children is the level of resistance of the mind. Children are more likely to give in then adults, which is pretty obvious through observation of the reactions and responses. I would also say it's unfortunate for any grown-ups who are afraid of needles. MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Lim C.S.
Pardon me for my grammar error(s).
"To err... is human."
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