2013 - First Colonoscopy conducted

Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy experience
November 5, 2013

Symptoms:
a) Un-usual change in bowel movements started in Sep. 2013
b) Annual Wellness Checkup indicated that red blood cells are slightly below minimum standard, slight amenia.

To save cost, went to Jurong Polyclinic to request for Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy as the procedures will be subsidized by the Government.

Referred to Jurong Medical for the procedures, scheduled for Nov. 5, 2013.

In preparation for the procedures, Jurong Polyclinic issued a colonoscopy package of medication to be consume one day before the appointment date.
Consist of 4 pills of Bisacody 5mg and three packets of Fortrans.
A detailed timing schedule and instruction are included.

Nov. 1 (Fri.) evening - started to have a light porridge with fish slices from my local food court.

Felt hungry around 10pm due to the light dinner.

Nov. 2 (Sat.) Breakfast was 4 slices of white bread with honey, black coffee with sugar and no milk.

Lunch - Steamed Salmon in Soy Sauce. Delicious and easy to prepare.

Dinner - Light porridge with fish slices from my local food court.

Strangely, hunger was not felt in the late evening.

Nov. 3 (Sun.) Breakfast - Apple Juice Drink.

Lunch - Heated half packet of Campbell clear chicken broth soup (from NTUC).

Dinner - Finished up the remaining Campbell clear chicken Broth Soup.

Nov. 4 (Mon.) - Totally no food consumed.

12.15pm - Started two pills of Bisacody - a laxative to encourage bowel movement.

3pm - Felt the urge and rushed to toilet in-time to clear bowel.

3.30pm Rushed to toilet again.

This process is to clear as much solid from the large intestine as possible.

5.15pm Took the remaining 2 pills of Bisacody. This is to force more bowel movements.

5.30pm - Started 1st packet of Fortrans mixed with 1 litre of water. This is to wash the intestine clean. I took a large 1.5L F&N bottle and fill up with water, mix in the 1st packet. Drank a few gulps and waited.

5.45pm Rushed to toilet, carrying the 1.5L bottle.
It was quite easy to gulp down half the bottle very quickly and soon yellow water is discharged from bowel. By gulping a sip at a time, it takes 5 mins to discharge from bowel. Repeat the process for 45 mins to finished up the whole bottle.

Best way is to sit at the toilet bowl and finished the whole process in an hour.

Took a 5 mins rest out of toilet (to exercise the legs).

6.15pm Started mixing the 2nd packet of Fortrans into 1 litre of water. I was thinking how am I going to finish this huge bottle !

Went and sit at the toilet bowl and starting making my first gulp. 5 mins later, yellow water is discharged and repeat the whole process while sitting on the toilet bowl. Finally by 7pm, I managed to finished the whole bottle.

Took a 5-mins break exercising my leg and started my 3rd packet of Fortrans.

Oh my god ! How am I going to finish the 3rd huge bottle !

7.15pm Started the whole process again and this time, clear water was discharged indicating the intestine is quite clean now. Repeat drinking and discharging till the water bottle is finished.

By 8.30pm I was done with the whole process. At this point in time, no water or eating allowed to keep the intestine clear.

When to bed early to have a good rest.

Nov. 5 (Tue.) No Breakfast and rush to Jurong Medical for my appointment at 9am.

Registration was quick and by 9.15am, I was called and a nurse started asking a series of questions about my health, allergy, medication etc. Once the nurse is convinced I am prepared for operation, she led me to a male changing room, given me a set of green clinical clothes and a disposable underwear to change.

Went to the waiting area and another nurse checked my blood pressure and pulse. I was surprise to see her preparing a re-usable needle for my right wrist. Apparently I will not be having gas anesthetic (I was looking forward to it (!) and be given an injection to relax my body. She said that it works for some people and some may not.

10am Went into the operation room, three nurses standing ready next to the bed. Doctor came over and started his legal briefing on the process and finally stated the probability of 1 in a thousand will have complication due to perforation, and given a form to sign that they will not be liable for any incident

Sat on the bed, laid down looking straight up and told to turn and face left.

Gastroscopy was the first procedure.

Told to open my mouth and nurse sprayed a solution into it. Not to be swallowed as it numbs the throat only. Told to bite a hard object and I was very surprise that the Gastrocopy was done without knowing it at all ! Apparently a video camera was inserted down my throat and lots of photo taken without me knowing it.

Colonscopy started and I felt an instrument was pushed into my anus. Ouch !

My intestine became bloat as air was pumped into it like a balloon ! This is to facilitate easy movement of video camera probe.

Very soon, I felt a slight pain on my left side of my body and became more painful. I could not yell as the yellow liquid is still in my mouth !

Told lie straight up with my knees bend and could feel the pain on my left body.

For some reason, I felt four pairs of eyes were looking at my naked bottom for the grand finale.

Next moment, I was wheeled to the recovery room next door and was told by nurse the two procedures were completed successfully.

Was offered cake and hot milo while I rested for observation.

After an hour later, I was briefed by the nurse on the operation. One polyp was removed from my intestine ! and my stomach has a mild gastrics.

A series of color photos were given to me and instructions for my next appointment in Jan. 2014 to know the result of the polyp biosys test. Hopefully it is not cancerous.

This is fortunate for me that polyp is removed as long-term untreated will lead to colon cancer development.

All men above 50+ should go through the colonoscopy procedure to be safe.

Men are more prone to colon cancer than women.

Up to 5 polyps may be found in any incident.