Colonoscopy Nap 4
What's good for the Hen is good for the Hoff
I am proud to continue Hen’s Colonoscopy Nap series today by recounting my experience over the last few days, noting certain things Hen said and providing commentary. This post is dedicated to Jennifer, Nancy, Dr. Barash, Dr. Bogush, and the rest of the St. Mary’s endoscopy team!
Hen begins:
The prep is the worst part, the procedure itself is a cake walk, and you get a great nap out of it. . . . Drink several gallons of Gatorade mixed with MiraLAX, spare everyone the details, and get ready for some shut eye the next day.
My prep varied slightly, including water and Sutab (“the pills”) in lieu of Gatorade and MiraLAX. “Sutab’s a helluva drug,” said my lower GI system.
He continues:
Next, the nurse is asking me all sorts of questions, when the topic we should be discussing is my forthcoming nap.
This is another place my experience differed. Before asking me a single question, my nurse, Jennifer, gushed about how awesome the nap was going to be. What a perfect profile for an endoscopy nurse: someone who loves and appreciates naps and wants patients to be excited about them, rather than anxious about the coming procedure. Jennifer, you crushed it!1
Hen also noted how they placed a warm blanket over him — Jennifer offered, and I respectfully declined, as I like my napping room temperature how Freddie McGregor and I like our Red Label Wine: well cold.
He concludes:
The biggest difference in this nap is that there was no winddown, no racing thoughts, no mouse running in a wheel. It was immediate — drugs in, eyes closed. That was a huge win.
100% consistent with my experience. Dr. Bogush injected the Propofol and told me I might feel a little burning when he did (he was right). I immediately felt myself losing consh and remember saying, “See you guys later.” Next thing I know, I’m awake and feeling extremely refreshed!
Unlike Hen, I came home and doubled up with a three-hour-postprandial untimed — necessary and awesome but well beyond what we’d call a nap.2
In sum, if you’re over 45 or close to it and have a family history of colorectal cancer, get a colonoscopy. Come for the preventive medicine, and stay for the great nap!
I went on to tell her about TND and Hen’s Colonoscopy Nap series. I don’t think she knew whether I was serious, but I happened to be reading on my iPad and pulled it up to show her. She got a kick out of it — knew I liked her!
My procedure was only yesterday, and I don’t think a nap is in the cards for me today, so I cannot yet speak to the post-colonoscopy napping halo effect. I’ll almost definitely have an “in the car” nap tomorrow while my wife is behind the wheel, will be sure to keep our readers apprised of anything noteworthy!