Early January, my hubby submitted the FOBT samples as per the GP's direction. In a week's time, we received a call from the nurse. This time, the pathologists identified blood cells in the sample. As our GP was still on vacation, we had to wait until February for a follow-up appointment.
At this point, hubby still described poking sensation and altered bowel habits along with the presence of blood. But we didn't give much importance and carried as usual. It was mid-January, me and baby number two were finally settling in after the delivery. Our older son was(and is) a busy toddler. Pretty much handful!. My parents had flown in from our homeland to attend the birth and stay with us for a while, so our days were lively and time was flying.
Then, within a week's time we got notified about a Colonoscopy appointment at the Armadale Health Service. A few days later Hubby had a pre-colonoscopy appointment to discuss about the procedure and preps.
In a Colonoscopy procedure, the specialist can view the interior of the colon and look for polyps, ulcer, inflammation etc. This is done by a scope that is administered through the rear passage. The scope is fitted with a camera enabling the specialist to guide it inside the patient's colon. Additionally, the scope can take tissue samples or remove certain unwanted growths. Now that is a very simple definition.
As the week leading to the Colonoscopy neared, hubby had to strictly watch what he was eating. Five days before the colonoscopy he stopped eating nuts and seeds, then the last two days he had to stick to limited items such as white bread, white rice etc. The day before the colonoscopy was a clear fluids day. This means he could only drink clear fluids such as water, apple juice, clear soup, jellies (Yellow or Orange colours only). All of these restrictions help us to provide a favorable environment for a successful colonoscopy.
The preps(medicinal drinks to flush the colon) began in the afternoon prior to the big day. I saw hubby struggling to somehow finish off with the concoction. He had to literally stay at close proximity with the loo as the prep triggered frequent stools and diarrhea. This is a desired and expected effect of the prep as it signifies the colon emptying its contents.
By evening, hubby was exhausted and sore from the diarrhea. That day all he consumed was jelly, clear soup, water and the prep liquid. May Allah reward him for the difficulties he endured.
The following morning, hubby and my dad went to the hospital. I and my mom stayed home with my toddler and newborn. Hubby was among the first patients to be checked-in. After the usual observations, he got changed into a hospital gown. His consultant was one of the senior doctors. Pretty soon hubby was offered a sedative after which the Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy were carried out.
After the sedation eased off, the doctor met with hubby to discuss the immediate findings. All thanks to God, the Gastroscopy did not show anything significant. But, the Colonoscopy yielded a discovery of a large Recto-Sigmoid polyp which was removed during the procedure itself. A biopsy of the polyp was sent to the lab for further examination. We were given a 15-day waiting time for the lab results to arrive. The doctor insisted us to follow up the biopsy results with the GP.
Of course, at this point the doctor hinted that if malignancy were to be detected in the upcoming lab results, then our next place would be Fremantle Hospital. This was when the faces went pale (first).
