Brian's Turn

Last year I had my first colonoscopy; some thing I had dreaded for quite some time.  However, I made it through the prep and procedure.  It was discovered I had a couple polyps which means I need to repeat it in five years.  Darn!
This year it was Brian's turn, and I was pretty sure the prep was going to be incredibly difficult for him.  He has an aversion to bathrooms and bodily functions, and believe me, colonoscopy prep means a lot of time in the bathroom!
Well, the day came, and I prepared his solution. 

 

He was aghast when I informed him he had to drink the whole thing.  He actually talked on the phone most of the evening while he was "taking care of business", and I had to keep reminding him it was time for the next drink.  The last round wouldn't even be drunk before it was time for the next.  Overall, he did a great job.  Early in the morning we headed for the hospital.  He asked the doctor to go lightly on the meds so he could stay true to his AA program.  The doctor did so, and Brian was very grateful for that.  He actually wasn't as sleepy when we got home as I had been due to the lower dose of meds.
His friend had told him to bring an apple to eat after he got to recovery which he did, and it tasted great!  What I love most about this photo is that he looks vulnerable and so grateful to be done and also to have had such a wonderful staff.

Of course, he had no polyps and gets a ten year reprieve.  He doesn't eat well at all, and I am very mindful of health and diet.  So for him to have a clean result just proves that life just isn't fair.

Thought:  When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown up, we would no longer be vulnerable.  But to grow up is to accept vulnerability...to be alive is to be vulnerable.   Madeleine L' Engle