Day 6 of 7: Colonoscopy Prep, Vegan Style

It seems these days that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to documenting one's experience of anything. Doesn't seem to matter how trivial or important that experience is so long as it is either recorded and published via a video or a still picture or a carefully crafted written work. Everything is fair game. In the spirit of that no-limits approach and nothing-is-too-boring approach, I will be documenting my own experience. It's not just any experience, mind you. It's the experience of a vegan/plant centered person and it's mine! I will be writing for the full seven days about what is working and what isn't. I hope you will follow along and maybe at the same time, I can provide some useful information. 

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Well. That happened! My bowel prep regimen includes Dulcolax stimulant laxatives and Miralax (an osmotic and "laxative"). Let's just say that the laxatives nearly did me in yesterday. And that is saying something considering I have had the Norovirus and have undergone chemotherapy. A good time was not had by all!

I will be doing a repeat today (Monday) and adding on the Miralax (the generic is OK). I can hardly wait. I keep telling myself I only have to do it this one more time. In the meantime, I am weak and dizzy and have a bad "stomach" ache. (I put the word stomach in quotes because it is actually my abdomen that hurts but who wants to imagine your intestines being twisted into knots? That's exactly what it feels like.)

Right now I am currently enjoying my vegetable broth. I bought Progresso brand low sodium broth and added a couple of drops of Braggs liquid aminos to it. It isn't bad. Not sure I want to drink it all day but I guess I am going to. What choice do I have? None, that's what. I want the test done, I want the results, and I want to know what is wrong, if anything. I am struggling and trying hard to be an adult.

While these posts are meant to give some guidance to vegans on what to eat and a possible way to prep for this valuable screening test, I should also mention the reasons why I am going through all of this trouble in taking this test in the first place. I believe in this test as a screening tool for cancer. Also, it has been nearly a year and a half since I started having some difficulties with my bathroom "routine." And while my doctor has mentioned IBS, I don't actually know what, if anything, may be wrong. I do know that whatever it is, it is disrupting my life. This summer I turned into an undependable person who could not be counted on to show up for hikes. My routine and schedule is a distant memory. The whole situation has me depressed. And cranky. The bottom line is that I can't get anywhere with solving the problem if I don't have this test. And that's that. 

With all of that said, here are some observations from yesterday.

1. Eat as much as you can on the last day before your prep day. I became nauseous from the laxatives and couldn't each much of anything afterwards. It would have been good to have a little more food on board prior to starting.

2. There is no two ways about the fact that this whole process is incredibly disruptive. It's best not to fight this and to simply accept it. 

3. After the laxative debacle was over and several hours had passed, I was able to eat a bit. Just get up out of bed and eat something. Anything. It helps. 

4. The broth as a clear liquid option isn't bad. Add some soy sauce or liquid aminos to it if you choose a low sodium option. You could always make your own too.

5. Be as clear as possible about your prep instructions ahead of time. Trust me, you won't be thinking straight once you start and that is no time to try and sort things out. 

6. Drink all of the liquids you can in as many varieties as you are allowed. Liquids, believe it or not can be a little filling and also sort of make you feel like you are eating something. Sort of.

7. If you have family or other household members present, see if they can help you. My husband brought me water in bed yesterday which was really nice. He also got his own dinner ready, cleaned up, and watched TV on his own without complaining. I make him sound like a child but honestly, those are all of my tasks that I am now not doing.

8. If you aren't working, try to stay as busy as possible while you are feeling well. Having a sense of purpose helps the time to pass.

9. Know ahead of time about possible side effects from the medication. I was surprised about the nausea, chills and dizziness from the laxative tablets. 

10. If you can, make sure that your bed is clean and made. You are going to spend some time in it. Clean sheets help. Maybe you have a favorite blanket? Go get that and use it. My mom always told me that when you are sick, it's no good getting into an unmade bed with dirty sheets. She was right.

Well, That's it for now. I am on to do...something. Not sure what yet but something. (Oh wait! I know what I am going to be doing!)

Libby

libbyfife@ymail.com