I am back from my journey to a strange place. . .
"When the baby looks around him
It's such a sight to see
He shares a simple secret
With the wise man
He's a stranger in a strange land
Just a stranger in a strange land
Tell me why
He's a stranger in a strange land
Just a stranger in a strange land - "
Things are starting to look like they normally do again. . .
Now I can get back to important explorations
First, I want to thank all of you who left supportive remarks for me on my previous (colonoscopy) post. I also want to thank those who left witty comments!
The prep was not THAT bad.
When my blood sugar does down I feel draggy and susceptible to "moods." But a little strained miso soup, ginger ale, and chilled green tea, make for a cleansing day and kept me going.
Drinking the 16 gallons (less?) of colyte was merely a commitment to DO it.
It wasn't till I was at the medical center that I began to get nervous - which is good, because I used to be nervous ALL the time, EVERYWHERE!
Why do you think I've become such a well being expert?
I had the choice of spiralling around in anxiety, or discovering and entering the Comfort Spiral. . .
The positivity that you find at this blog was hard earned, and requires respect and upkeep on my part. Which is not to say that it is fragile (far from it - hooray!) just that it takes a daily commitment which is far from difficult.
The motto of Kaiser / Hawaii Region is: "Caring for Hawaii's People Like Family" and most everyone you meet there is excellent at their task, and very human & warm.
Jim Morrison of the DOORS sang: "People are strange when you're a stranger."
When I felt estranged from others, everyday brought examples of their strangeness. Since I have begun to see the innocence in others and in myself, I have found good people everywhere I go. Marianne Williamson says there is no thought so insignificant that it does not have effect in our world. Since I have discovered the beauty in others (and in myself) and stopped living in constant judgement of them (and myself) I have felt more at home in the world and among others than ever before. People really can feel it when we are surrendered and trusting. My new health motto has become:
"Rejoice & Rejuvenate."
Sure beats the tar out of:
"Worry & Complain."
I knew that the team would either give me a clean bill of health, or remove a potential problem and thus save my health and life years in advance of any symptoms.
So I was grateful to receive this screening!
The Doc removed a few small polyps (future problems) said that it all looked good, and told me to repeat the test in . . . . 10 years! I'll be eligible for Medicare then. . .
One reason that I am sharing all of this is because a blogger I follow (was it you, Sandee?) recently posted about her colonoscopy (timely!) and made me feel much better about the whole thing. (Thanks!)
Another BLOGGING Miracle!
So it is in that spirit that I urge all my friends here who are lucky enough to have health coverage (or who can afford this screening) to strongly consider getting it done.
In honesty, I must tell you that I felt really out of it afterwards, and that I'm just beginning to feel like myself again (the test was Monday - I even missed posting yesterday which is rare for (big mouth) me ;-]
So today I'm babying myself with great self-indulgence. My favorite husband (who I usually leave out of this blog-thing) has been a trooper throughout, even taking yesterday off to stay home and annoy, er, distract and care for me!
Having seen my Dad fight a losing battle with cancer back in the Spring makes everyday seem precious!
So thanks to each and every one of you who share this blog-y life with me. Our friend Sepiru Chris of Cuneiform Scratchings (see my blog roll) sent me a cool postcard from Hong Kong. His cat companion, Pommes, also mailed a delectable "double-fish" seal to Miss Kitty who enjoys having it over her treat-spot. I'm resting in bed and reading Walking Man's book of verse: "Stink." (See my blog roll for his worthy blog also)
And I've noticed a lot of positive, under-reported news stories lately too. Many of the bailed out banks and financials are PAYING BACK bail-out funds and the Fed Gov't (you and me) is even showing a profit! Big Money Authorities (OK, I forgot the source) stated that the Federal Gov't "saved the financial system from disaster." (Even though we all know that it requires more balancing & fairness to us little guys)
And General Jones said this week that the Obama administration has made us all demonstrably SAFER in the world!
I look forward to getting around to visit all of YOU very soon, though I'm still feel a bit tentative, and I feel a televised, late-season WNBA game coming on ;-]
I love you guys - thanks for EVERYTHING!
Warm Aloha, Cloudia
Yep that was me. I'm glad you got this done. It can save your life. The prep is the hardest part, the rest is a walk in the park.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky you don't have to go for 10 years. I have to go every 5 years and I'll be there when it's time. I was tested pre-cancerous though.
Have a terrific day. Big hug. :)
Yo Cloudia --
ReplyDeleteCongrats for gettin' to and through your test. MUCH better than yuckies down the road.
DrumMajor
Somehow I missed it, that you were going through this. So glad for you that it's good news. Brave girl. I don't think I would consider this as a screening- it only tends to be done in UK to investigate pre-existing symptoms. I guess we're a bit behind the US in that respect!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that the doc removed those polyps. My dad died of colon cancer, so I undergo colonoscopies regularly. (I have colitis.)
ReplyDeleteI wrote about the experience in my 3rd memoir. Take a look when you have the chance.
Take care, Cloudia!
Glad you're better, my brother had nine polyps removed a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your relaxation.
Glad you're back among us!
You are Me. (Buddha)
ReplyDeleteHappy to read that everything seems to be fine with you. Less than half a year since I 'discovered' what a blog might be/become. Many times making me still surprised of how close thoughts can become across the world, as the commentary of your previous entry proofs again.
Would like to wish you all the best for the 10,20,30, ... winding curves of the comfort spiral 'you' are in.
So good to hear you're feeling more like you because you are one of a kind my dear lady. (The best kind) Aloha friend.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading about screenings, Cloudia.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about it on my health care blog. The jury seems to be swaying more towards the inaccurate results from screenings. Too many false positives.
You are so cool for having this done. You ROCK, gal pal!
ReplyDeleteHad this test done about 5 years ago. At that time, I was still working full time, so I did the prep while on the job. I have a high tolerance for physical discomfort, so that wasn't the worst part for me. What was most challenging was the invasiveness of the procedure because of past abuse and trauma. Luckily, I had a gentle experience and received a clean bill of health. The photo of my healthy intestines (which reminded me of a labyrinth) was prominently displayed on the frig for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had loving support during this time and are being gentle with yourself during your reemergence.
Thank you for sharing some of your journey. It gives a glimpse into the depth and wisdom of your posts. I have always been an outsider but feel less of a stranger these days, especially in connecting with kindred souls. Comfort Spiral is often where I come to muse and reaffirm the goodness and beauty that surrounds us. Be well and take good care.
Thanks! I really enjoyed these comments - especially after a day of fasting from them ;-]
ReplyDeleteAloha!
Hi Cloudia, it is so nice to be here in your blog. Hawaii is definitely one of the places that I want to visit someday. Thanks for sharing to us these pictures. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're back, Cloudia, and that you are doing well and resting up. I enjoyed the pictures and the sharing today.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice having a favorite husband around to take care of you. I'm glad you got it done and over with for 5 years at least. Let yourself be pampered. :-)
ReplyDeleteFabulous post, right up this Fashionista's catwalk! Aloha!
ReplyDeleteGood for you that you came through this so well!!
ReplyDeleteGo YOU!
ReplyDeleteGlad this is behind you.
<><
Thanks!
ReplyDelete