"Have a Colonoscopy, it may save your life..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in

the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

Have a Colonoscopy, it may save your life

 As I began to enter my fifties my Physician began to urge me to perform the all mighty dreaded colonoscopy.  I dug my heals in and put off, put off, and put off  the test that I had heard so much about. 

I was feeling fine when I started my 50’s and did not want to bother with the inconvenience and invasive testing of my inner cavity.  A combination of fear and procrastination held me off until I reached the late 50’s… It seems that when you approach your 60’s there are a bunch of little things that creep into your life such as aches and pains in the am upon waking, higher cholesterol and triglycerides, and suspicious blood testing results that now prompt you to become to take a more active  participation in your ownquestionable health and  prevention.

So with much prompting I decided to bit the bullet and go for it. With reluctance and fear I bought the magic preparation to mix with my orange Gatorade.  While drinking the colonic all day I must admit “it wasn’t  so bad” , the orange flavor disguised the taste somewhat and I could afford to lose a few pounds anyways.  

As my morning procedure approached, I was relieved that the day was here and was more than ready to proceed.  Surprisingly enough I had the best hour sleep I had had in years;   I never can sleep for more than 4 or 5 hours a night and woke up refreshed and h-u-n-g-r-y.

I don’t know why I put this procedure off for so many years and to my surprise I was able to literally nip off some very suspicious polyps that would have taken a turn for the worse in the coming years.  There are not many tests and procedures that can be done proactively that can literally save your life…this is one of them. 

 Had I not swallowed my fears and done the dreaded colonoscopy, I would have had more than trouble, painless trouble, hovering over me in the near future.  For those out there who do not practice preventive medicine because of fear or lack of finances,   you are shortening your lives.  Simple testing such as routine blood sampling and routine physicals can tell so much into your futures.  I know if
you are feeling well, it is the furthest thing from your mind but it  can insure you are able to live life to the fullest and not have it shortened unnecessarily.

Also, if there are any other tests that can help you take a look into the future, believe it or not, it is a routine eye examination.  The eye is the only part of the body that can give a direct picture into the
body’s health without being invasive.  A dilated exam will tell the Doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetic disease, high cholesterol and a bevy of other conditions.  Of course I am biased in that specialty since I have spent my last,  over 30 yrs. Preaching to the choir but I am amazed at how many health conditions we catch during the week just through a simple dilated eye evaluation.

  That’s probably one of the reasons I have continued in this field; it’s the amazing discoveries we find constantly.

Taking an active part in your own preventive health will definitely save your life or at least prolong it.

Having that colonoscopy made me a true believer;  You can be sure I will be returning for a repeat performance next year with no arm twisting this time. ..and if you have the time, make the time,  and
get an eye health evaluation by an Eye Doctor.  

Here’s to every ones good health! L'Chayim 

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