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 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.