The New Normal

So, it's been a while since I posted.  I didn't realize I never posted about what happened during my colonoscopy.  And while I have, like, one actual reader, its good practice to keep my (imaginary and otherwise) readers up to date.

So, the colonoscopy was fine.  Stressful, but the actual procedure was simple.  The colorectal surgeon came in afterward and said that he saw some inflammation in my lower colon (ie, proctitis,) and took some biopsies.  In the meantime, he gave me a prescription which should help with the inflammation.
I waited two weeks for the biopsy results.  In the meantime, my symptoms went wild.  I felt horrible.  I suspect the medication was contributing more than it was helping.  I took a few days off, and let things settle, and it really helped.  When the biopsy results came back, they were utterly unhelpful.  It showed mild to moderate chronic inflammation, with no discernible cause.  The nurse that called me had no recommendations or suggestions about what to do.  Her main reassurance was stressing the fact that it wasn't cancer.  I never suspected it was cancer!


That's when the Mommy network reared its head.  I've been keeping Mommy posted, and broke down to her when I found out there wasn't an answer yet.  She started making phone calls.  Spoke to her friend, the dietician.  Befriended the scheduler at a local gastroenterology office.  And I started the balls rolling to get a referral and make an appointment with the GI.

I managed to get into see the GI last week.  I made a lot of phone calls, and stressed to them that my previous doctors weren't taking me seriously, and I was willing to come any time there might be an opening.  He was excellent.  He looked over my records and biopsies, and agreed that it was definitely something chronic and serious.  Some type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  Either ulcerative colitis or Chron's.  It's probably ulcerative colitis, but Chron's is a more severe illness, so we have to rule it out before starting any treatment.

This, unfortunately, requires another colonoscopy.  The previous one didn't go far enough in or take enough biopsies to make the call.  UGH.  So, goodie, goodie for me, I get to do another prep this Sunday and get another scope next Monday.  But, please, please, let this be the end.