TGIF
So….yesterday, I had a colonoscopy.
That pretty much defines the online doctrine of TMI (too much information), but bear with me.
I’d refused the exam for all the reasons you would naturally refuse such…I hate being exposed and the procedure gives a whole new meaning to the word “invasive”.
(I woke up before the invasion was over, but that’s another story for another time…it’s an odd way to wake up.)
The doctor came in to tell me what he had done and how the procedure went…and told me that they had removed something.
Something large.
Something that had I not submitted to the examination could have have made me very sick or killed me.
It was, (we hope) “pre-cancerous”.
I now have a metal staple where the sun doesn’t shine that will activate metal detectors.
I have purposed in my heart to stay out of the park on those days when the old men come looking for lost valuables with their hand held detectors…
I will need a special card the doctor gave me to board airplanes and hope the TSA doesn’t decide to search anyway.
I digress…
Naturally, all of this led me to think about God things.
How many of us have something growing inside our souls that the Holy Spirit has shown us must be removed?
How many of us have the cancer of greed, of lust, of unforgiveness, of idolatry, or some such thing common to man hiding beneath the surface?
How long do we run from the exposure of such and let the Holy Spirit do His work, even when it feels so invasive?
The point being that these things are as deadly to our spiritual life and our walk with Christ as that polyp could have been to my body.
They can kill relationships, marriages, families and fellowship with God.
I’m going to make your applications today.
If you’re over fifty and you haven’t had a colonoscopy, get it done.
Now.
It could save your life.
If you’ve been resisting the work of the Holy Spirit in discovering and removing “pre-cancerous” sin, let Him do His work.
Now.
It could save even more of your life.
If I can do it you, you can too.
Amen.
Not TMI – but an important PSA to all your readers who struggle with being hesitant to get this done. I too waited. Luckily growth was smaller, also pre cancer, stitches no staples. Always appreciate your honesty and humor in discussing all manner of difficult subjects! Thank you!!
Thank you, Anne!
Reading this week’s TGIF gave me a pain in the a$$. I have a sticky note here on my laptop reminding me to call and schedule a colonoscopy. It’s been there for about a week. I haven’t called yet. I’ll take this as a word from the Lord to pick up the phone.
So glad they found and removed that polyp, Michael. Hopefully, that’s all there is to it.
Make the call, CK…we want you here for a long time.
I have had 3 of them. The first one found 5 polyps, 3 pre-cancerous. 4 removed, 1 zapped with a lazar (cool!). Went back a year later, no issues. Don’t have to go back for another 3 years.
This is not a funny subject. I have a good friend who had 8″ of his colon removed (cancer) and is undergoing chemo. The bottom line is (pun intended), if you are over 50, you need to get one. The possibility of cancer is not good.
Good for you, Michael.
Thank you, Randall!
PP, glad you got the repair. Good for another 10,000 miles. Take care. Seriously.
Praying for you big brother!
My husband had stage II colon cancer with his first colonscopy, and my sister stage III with her first. Get it done. It’s well worth the hassle.
Was literally talking to my wife today about my time is arriving. Turn 50 in August.
Thanks Rob, thanks, Dusty!
Good. Glad you braved it. One of the most effective screenings, and you know I am not a fan of western medicine in general. A mutual “friend” of ours would still be in this earthly life if he had that procedure done ten years earlier in life, and made some critical “liquid” dietary adjustments to lower risk factors.
Prevention is a whole other discussion. Suffice to say that what goes in the pie hole does affect the other end of the tubing, so to speak. Be good to your tubes, if you know what I mean. Love ya.
Linnea, thank you…Steve…get it done.
Love you, Paige!
well, Michael, glad that’s behind you 🙂
get it done, indeed… my late husband had two and the second one went way beyond where the first went… you woke up? you do not want to be awake for that procedure
the good side is that, like my husband, you might just get a clean bill of health – “it’s all pink and pretty in there” were the doctor’s words
and your lesson beyond the physical conclusion is a great take away… oh how we do tend to hide our shortcomings where even we can’t find them… but our Lord is a very good physician and kind
Excited to hear your OK Michael!
Only one large polyp is not bad.
In worst case scenarios Resection procedure of the colon requires around 6 weeks recovery in the hospital.
Liquid diet the entire time…Ughh!
(See you should have eaten your brussel sprouts and avocados Michael.
You may not have had the polyp. LOL)
Waking up with air escaping uncontrollably while a doctor is speaking with you is not something that one usually wants…LOL
If I had just gone to a doctor within the last 40 years I may not have gotten to the point of stage 4 cancer.
I figured I was fine and in no need of the medical profession until waking up one morning with a full bladder and I just could not pee.
Off to the emergency room where the staff inserts a catheter and instant garden hose relief.
I am then instructed to see a Urologist.
That doctor does test that are real exposing for us men.
Then every test known to the medical profession is required it seemed.
Dang just an MRI is six thousand dollars alone and that is only one of the “test.”.
I ended up getting the “Turp Procedure” and (ladies close your eyes) I can now pee like a race horse, Hallelujah!.
Medical stuff is pricey.
Just the emergency room, the operating room and one nights stay in the hospital was 20 thousand. That does not include Urologist fee.
And for me that is just the tip of the iceberg.
With stage 4 cancer I am going to be using the medical profession a lot more in the future.
So ya guys, go see the doctor before things get out of hand and you end up like me having to see doctors a lot.
And there goes the cigars and the two fingers!
***
TGIF
Saw this interesting link an hour ago:
https://blog.heartsupport.com/lets-stop-pretending-christianity-is-actually-relevant-okay-ade4c00dabcc#.z46zt56mo
I’m sorry you had to go through this Michael and pray reports will be negative. I believe the prep is worse than the procedure! 🙂
There’s so much to distract us from the things God desires to work on or remove from our lives. Sadly we can resist the Great Physician with the results causing us pain as well as those we love and care for. God bless you Michael.
Good thoughts and encouragement Michael! Had the procedure in my early 30s because of some issues I was having.
And I agree with Erunner (#17), the prep was worse (for me anyways) than the actual procedure!
My second adventure will be in June. The prep is a pain in the ___.
My Dad had colorectal cancer. He lived another 15 years, then died from lung cancer in 2003. I miss him everyday.
I chose to stay awake for mine, got to watch it live on screen. Like the movie Fantastic Voyage I saw when I was a kid. Well, maybe not that fantastic. Didn’t hurt even though it wasn’t exactly fun.
Praying for your complete recovery and healing.
We have some brave people here….goimg through all kinds of stuff. My prayers are with you all
Ha Em, that doctor had a way with words, eww! Funny what doctors find beautiful. Mine was happy that my MRI showed I have a negative and unremarkable brain! ?