Colonoscopy Procedure and Results

January 7th, 2016 - The official day of my scheduled colonoscopy, with final answers and results.

As some of you know who've kept up with me via my web site, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, I've had a colonoscopy and endoscopy scheduled since finding out the results of a relative who was diagnosed with colon cancer. Since the discovery of the relative's diagnosis, I have been on a personal mission to get the procedure done myself, and finally have a baseline of where I stand. Being a hemophiliac living with HIV, compounded with over thirty years of Hepatitis C (now cured), I was in the high risk category for digestive disease.

I would honestly have to say the most difficult part of this procedure is definitely the procedure prep the day before. Drinking the Golytely solution and not having any solid food, on top of taking diarrhetic pills will make you weak for sure. I powered through January 6th, and kept on my regimen of HIV medications despite only drinking beef broth and Jello. If I can do it, so can you! Let's just say that day was one not to remember.

Click image for larger version of pathology report.

The procedure itself was fast. I checked in to the hospital, and within minutes was in the back, undressing, getting hooked up to IV's and talking with nurses and my anesthesiologist. No more than thirty minutes later, I was wheeled in the back where I met Dr. Baskar, who performed both procedures. My confidence in him grew even more as he asked yet again, "Did you take your factor VIII?" There was an entire hematology checklist I had to follow before, during and after the procedures.

Luckily, I am happy to report I have no colon or bowel disease of any kind. Not even a polyp. The upper endoscopy showed mild gastritis aka GERD, but nothing alarming.  I am totally relieved by the results, and can now take a huge sigh of relief in knowing the final results.

In closing, this journey was no where near as difficult to accomplish as I had initially thought it would be. I was able to get the referrals to the specialists, visit the specialist, schedule the procedures and then have them done all within a two month window. If I can do this, than there's just no excuse or reason why you can't either. Get check out, get a colonoscopy and get the results you need to know about, especially if you have a family history of digestive disease.

Next up for me, getting my joints repaired, starting with the ankles first. Before 2020, I hope to be the bionic man.

Day 2, Scheduled For Surgery

Joe and his wife Alexandra Christmas 2015

I hope everyone had a great Christmas this year, as I know I sure did. It was filled with laughter, fun, games and most importantly, family. God surely has blessed us in 2015.

On December 10th, I had a scheduled first time visit to a gastroenterologist in Tavares, FL. As some of you may recall from my last blog, I was visiting my family doctor for the referral needed to get up to this point for a specialist appointment.

The appointment on the 14th of December went great. I met Dr. Baskar of the Lake Gastroenterology Associates. The visit with him was short and sweet. He informed me I am a high risk patient, and in much need of a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Taking my hemophilia into account, Dr. Baskar has coordinated an effort with my hematologist a plan of action based on two possible outcomes. An extensive Factor VIII treatment regimen if polyps are found, and a lighter post-procedure regimen if no polyps are found.

Fact: Being HIV positive for over 30 years results in one being a high risk for colon cancer, (coupled with over 30 years exposure to hepatitis C and severe hemophiliain my case). My goal is rewrite the rule books based on colonoscopy screenings for HIV patients not from 40 years of age, but at 35. Many factors play a role in our increased risk, including long-term exposure to HIV antivirals, compromised immunity from exposure to HIV, and it's just the nature of living with the disease for over 20 years.

So the date has been set for January 7th, 2016 in Leesburg, FL. The hardest part of all this that I face is the drinking of the giant jug of electrolytes and no solid food diet. I'm not used to not eating at least something small prior to taking my morning HIV medication, so this should be interesting. Dr. Baskar has informed me that if polyps are found, they will be removed. This is a good thing, and now after months of waiting, we'll finally have a baseline procedure for a 36 year old hemophiliac with HIV, formerly cured of Hepatitis C.

Part of me is naturally nervous and anxious, but the other part is relieved that this procedure has finally been scheduled. I'll know once and for all the results, given my family history of colon cancer as previously stated. I will report back a couple days prior to the procedure to give everyone an update.

This is the final post of 2015, and I just wanted to thank the Hemophilia, HIV and Hepatitis C communities for all their support, warmth and encouragement the past year of blogging and advocating. My goal is simple, to live transparent, so hopefully you can be educated, well versed and ready to tackle any problem that may arise in your own life. As we close 2015, let's not only reflect on the blessed year we've had, but a new on the horizon. God Bless!

Day 1, The Journey to Rewriting the Rules on Digestive Health

So shortly after this video on November 13th, I successfully acquired proper referral to Gastroenterology for possible future screening colonoscopy. I've followed state protocol while living on disability, and now the date has been set to finally meet my digestive health doctor on December 10th, 11:30am. 
I'm not nervous at all, as I know I'm doing the right thing in pursuing this far more sooner than when it's potentially "too late." Given the family medical history of colon cancer on my mother's side, and my long HIV-positive status, it's vital that no risks be taken. We only have one life to live, and by screening early, I'm hopeful of establishing a baseline reference point for the future of my own digestive health. 
So after December 10th, I will follow up with my online blogging family, and let everyone the outcome of my first visit. Will they do scans? Schedule a colonoscopy? That's the game plan at least. I truly and sincerely hope by doing this important decision, that someone is paying attention to this and through my case, the rule book can be rewritten for those living with Hemophilia, HIV, Hepatitis C, or all three. If you know someone that needs to read this, please share my web site link, as I want everyone to follow my progress during this time. Your prayers and continued support are greatly appreciated. 

The Road to Digestive Health & Prevention Among HIV, HCV & Hemophiliacs

Let me open this post with some very important information regarding long diagnosis' with HIV. I come from a large family of hemophiliacs, 6 male cousins of mine in total all were born with the genetic blood disorder. 2 have passed over the years from complications relating to HIV/AIDS. Recently, I was informed one of my male cousins has been battling colon cancer for some time, and is now facing lymphoma as well. The culprit? HIV.

We now have ways to stop the virus from replicating it's RNA and progressing to AIDS. Thanks to recent advances in the past 10 years of cART (combination antiretroviral therapy), we can now prolong the lives of HIV patieivets many, many decades if compliance in drug therapies are sustained. But now, the biggest statistic resulting from prolonged HIV infection are various forms of anal, colon, lung, cervical, prostate, breast cancer (among others) are now the leading cause if morbidity and mortality among patients.

Over the next few months, I'm going to tear down some walls, and open the veil of transparency in my life. The recommendation for a colonoscopy is at age 40. But I'm willing to change the rule book for Hemophiliacs, HIV and Hepatitis C patients, and see if we can initiate new standards of preventive care by 35. The quicker we establish a baseline of our digestive health, the better off we are.

With the recent news of my family member's diagnosis, I'm carrying the torch into uncharted ground and posting everything that happens here on my blog. Triumph. Discouragement. Headache. Insurance. All will be brought to the limelight here on my site as my journey to obtain a colonoscopy by age 35 gets under way. The next few months are going to be a bumpy ride I'm sure, but be praying for me during this time that we get answers, good results and change the standards among Hemophiliacs, HIV, Hepatitis C and co-infected patients. It all starts tomorrow morning, 9:45AM, with a visit to my primary care doctor to obtain a referral needed to see a gastroenterology specialist and hopefully get a screening scheduled.