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Dirty Word
Colonoscopy-certainly
not a four letter word, but I swear by it. Instead of using God's name in vain, I use this expression; Colonoscopy damn it!
If
I'm really mad I'll replace the "queen mother of dirty words," as
it's referred to in the popular movie, "A Christmas Story," with my
new one; Oooo...colonoscopyyyy. Or, as
you may remember from your elementary school days, Colonoscopy You! Now that's something hefty to write in drying
cement in front of your nasty neighbor's house.
It's
the present day, "A pox on you!"
Only wishing small pox on someone is terrible, where wishing a helpful
medical procedure on someone is...that's right, that's where this is leading..,
"A colonoscopy on you!" See it
as good wishes on those over 50.
My
father died of a rare, and apparently genetic, type of colon cancer at
30. I've been getting the
non-invasive (believe it or not) procedure yearly since I was 32. My buddy, Dr. Warren Werbitt, has kept cancer
away from my body with his acursed scope ever since.
Joking
about this unpleasant subject helps me cope with my yearly visits to the
surgical center. I see humor in myself
as a prissy, straight-laced Sunday school teacher who agrees to have a lighted
tube with a camera inserted, along with shooting air for better
visualization. Talk about humbling. The pictures Dr. W. shows me at my follow up
visits are interesting though. I won't
mention the annual upper endoscopy. You
may let that picture play in your head.
This
year was actually fun. The son I prayed
to see grow to adulthood eighteen years ago, drove me to the center. When I heard a deep rumbling coming around
the corner, I knew he was bringing his '84 neon green Ford monster truck to get
momma.
Even
without a handle to grab onto, I climbed up into the cab before he came around
to hoist me the four feet into Old Nessy (short for Lock Ness Monster).
Once
at the surgical center, the drop for this old gal from that old green gal, made
me chuckle as I slid down with a prayer to avoid other surgical needs. I slammed her door, realizing how many of my
prayers had been answered, and entered the surgical center.
And
so to my sister who shares my genetic pool, and has turned fifty this year:
"A colonoscopy on you!" Don't
make me write it in your cement.
Nice outlook on dreaded upkeep as we age! Thanks for the smiles!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne. You inspire me.
DeleteI agree with Joanne, Dawn, a necessary evil. You show us why it's necessary. Thanks, Dawn.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria. My sister agreed to get one.
ReplyDeleteI found this piece very powerful. The photo arrested my attention immediately. Several members of my own family passed away at young ages due to colon related issues. I again thank Dawn for raising awareness about the importance of regular colon screenings.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kevin. I was happy when my sister called me to say she's going for one. So pleased with this post.
ReplyDelete