Colonoscopy and Opdivo

Last month I told you all about my CT scan showing that I had colitis. This is a known side effect from Opdivo. So....next stop is a Gastroenterologist and scheduling a colonoscopy. I had one about six years ago and it was fresh in my mind what those two days would hold for me.

Preparing for my colonoscopy

I woke up the day before knowing I could only have clear liquids all day. Piece of cake since I don't really eat during the day but I had to remember to keep myself hydrated. On the other hand, I was starving by dinner and kept drinking just to keep my stomach from growling.

So now it is the evening time. Time to drink a gallon of the grossest liquid on earth. My instruction told me to drink an 8 ounce glass approximately every 15 minutes. The first two were easy. After that, it was a struggle to keep drinking that much while gagging from the taste. But I managed to do it. And then the race and the decisions began. Do I jump up every 10 minutes to rush to the bathroom causing me to be out of breath or do I just sit in the bathroom for the entire evening waiting for the next boom (literally)?

Amazed how my body reacts to different things

It has been four years and 8 months since my diagnosis and surgery and I am still amazed at how things affect me on a daily basis. This was one of those days. I was hungry and in a bad mood. I was tired of running across the house to the bathroom but as with everything, there was an end in sight. As my trips to my bathroom decreased I began to feel much better. I am convinced I should have just stayed in there and not tried to run a triathlon that night. By 8:00 p.m., I was feeling much better, not out of breath, and ready for bed. That running back and forth was actually hard work.

Be prepared

I went to bed, early, more to forget I was starving than because I was tired. I wanted to simply wake up, go get this test over with, and go out to breakfast. One omelet, hash browns, and toast put me back into a good mood but boy was I tired after eating. I came home and headed for bed quicker than you can say "bed." It was the most glorious nap of my life!

So, the lesson here is be prepared. Know what you are in for and prepare accordingly. Keep yourself hydrated. Make yourself comfortable near your bathroom and go enjoy a great breakfast or lunch afterward!

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 28, 2020, Jennifer Toth passed away. Jennifer was a passionate advocate for the Lung Cancer community. She will be deeply missed.