Happyinlalaland's Journal

I've heard that the prep is worse than the test by many people.  I have to disagree with this completely. I believe that statement must have been made by someone who has never experienced an IBS attack.  I have had many IBS flare ups that are far worse than clearing out the bowels especially once all the food is gone.  I had to drink 64 ounces of Half Lytely which turns into a clear,  unflavored, odorless liquid much like water.  For me because of a sensitive tongue, it seemed to have a bit of a salty taste and a bit of a 7 up flavor.  Not bad at all.  I've had IBS attacks that drain all the fluid from me to a point of near dehydration within the hour, lowers my sugar levels to 50, makes me so dizzy I can barely walk and I just shake inside for hours. All I can do is go back to sleep until all gets settled.

Well, back to the test.  I went to Wills Eye Surgical Center which is a new facility in the area.  They only do Orthopaedic, Eye and Colon procedures for now. The place is perfectly set up for convenience and comfort for the patients. I felt like a Queen. I could not have asked for more individualized treatment. The staff were very pleasant and not too busy to chat a minute. Chatting calms me down as it takes my brain away from pain and stress.  This treatment by the staff took place before and after the procedure and by all I encountered along the way whether they were involved with me or not.  I've had surgeries at other facilities or hospitals where I would not go back because the staff treated me with less than the dignity I arrived with.  There is nothing worse than listening to a bunch of nurses talk about their dislikes of a situation and it turns out to be me.  How horrifying!  I know I should turn these people into their directors but I always do a self exam first and decided it must be me or something I did wrong to make people behave so poorly.  I know I treat all people as I want to be treated but it does not always come back that way.  I'll keep trying.

Because of sleep apnea, the Anestheist stayed in my face the entire time from the prep room to the OR. I did not want anymore anesthesia than a twilight sleep and she had to keep waking me up when I stopped breathing which was several times.  What a wonderful sleep I had with great dreams.  The only problem with my wonderful sleep was someone at my back end pushing and probing which annoyed me because I didn't remember where I was or why I was there.  Biopsys were done, polyps removed and all seems to be ok. The results are that I have a very spastic colon throughout and IBS and stress is definitely a major part of this problem. The doctor also told me to now begin a high fibre diet.  I have to do some research on what is high fibre but I think it included fresh fruit and veggies and that is most what I have lived on all my life until my bowels got out of control about 2 years ago. I see the doctor in a month for a follow up.

For such an invasive procedure, I have survived and still have my dignity intact ONLY because of the doctor and staff at Wills Eye Surgical Center in Northeast Philadelphia PA.