colonoscopy – Peanut Butter and Toast

September 19

I had a follow- up appointment with the surgeon to discuss the results from my scope. Everything is normal- no lesions, cancer or colitis. Phewf!

He agreed with what I was thinking, that the low iron is probably due to poor absorption. He thinks there may be an imbalance in my gut flora. He suggested a few things to try. Basically trial-and-error now to figure out what is happening and what will help. He did suggest possibly seeing a gastroenterologist, if things are not improving. Sigh. So basically no definitive answers. Frustrating.

August 30

Colonoscopy Day! Weeee!

It’s just after 6am. Hungry and very thirsty this morning. I have been NPO (nothing by mouth) since midnight last night. Tired. Body tired, which makes sense with nothing in it to give it energy.

BG was 10.6 when I woke up about an hour ago. It was 15.2 when I went to bed. I only took 3.5 of lantus last night. The nurse had suggested 3units when we spoke about prep last week but 3.5 felt better last night. My ride will be here in half an hour. I’m ready, nervous but ok.

It went fine. Honestly, prep day was way worse.

I was checked in and baseline vitals were done. Nurse also asked what my last BG reading was. I know I checked on the way to the hospital and it was high-ish, maybe 13. She was a bit concerned it was high but I also explained that I’m usually high in the morning and she was ok with that.

She put a saline lock in my arm. (This is a small IV catheter with short tubing that they insert for the sedation). The nurse was so kind and took her time answering all my questions before she took me to the operating room. The OR team was great and the surgeon came in before I was sedated to go over my symptoms and concerns. Based on my symptoms we decided to do an endoscopy and a colonoscopy (two for one! Yay!).

I remember the OR nurse saying the sedation will take a couple of minutes before I feel it and that was it. I think I remember waking up for a moment during the procedure and then I was waking up in the recovery room. It was weird being totally disoriented about what time it was – I had lost more than an hour.

I’m home now. My friend just left after making me check my blood sugar (15.5mmol). I am making eggs and toast and then I’m gonna go for a nap. This little body needs some rest. When I got home I think I was still buzzed on the sedative because I was thinking of all these things I was going to do, now all I am thinking about it bed.

Napped on and off the rest of the day. BG 6.4 before supper. I took regular lantus dose (6units) which, looking at it now, I probably should’ve done a little less.

8pm BG was 9.6

9pm it was 7.2. I had 15g at that point.

12:30am it was 6.6. Ugh. Ok, 30g

4am 12.6

Tired. Been awake since 4am, feeling really wound up.

August 29

Colon Prep Day!!

So tomorrow morning is my procedure. Fluid breakfast with only 50% of my rapid dose. I am interested to see how that goes today. Will be home today, puttering and resting.

Tired today! Funny to be reminded how much food gives us energy, duh!! Hve napped and read and puttered. Am getting more nervous about tomorrow and trying to really figure out what part I am nervous about. I realize it is the ‘loss of control’ feeling when thinking about the sedative. I was thinking back to when I was diagnosed with diabetes and being admitted to hospital. Honestly, it was so relieving handing the care of my body over to other people. With three years of this disease under my belt, I feel I have to always be ‘on’ and completely letting go is scary.

I am trying to remind myself of that peace I felt with handing over my care to people who knew what they were doing.

August 26

Went to bed with my BG a bit high (16mmol) and slept great! 8 hours! Woke up at 7mmol, so that’s quite a drop overnight, but feel rested.

I have a colonoscopy booked for Aug. 30th. A bit nervous about doing the prep stuff and having a ‘clear liquid only day’ the day before. What will that do to my BG? The next couple of days I also have to eat light meals, which is fine for me, I usually eat lighter anyway.