The Sigmoidoscopy

Today I went to the Montfort Hospital for the first time. Thanks to my family doctor, I now have an endocrinologist and she practices here.

After last summer's two times trip to Emergency at the General, I managed to get my family doctor to get me a referral. Dr R, my family doctor was concerned there might be a twist in my bowel that wouldn't show up in a ctscan.

In December, I had a consultation with the endocrinologist, Dr. D. I told her the whole story: colon removed due to full body sepsis and toxic mega colon; resection of small intestine a few years later. She suggested I have a sigmoidoscopy, which is like a colonoscopy except for the sigmoid, the only part of the colon I have left.

Last Thursday, thanks to a Last minute cancellation, I was booked for the procedure for today. I didn't have to fast, just do 2 fleet enemas an hour before leaving this morning.

I had difficulty understanding the receptionist at the front desk and he must have had trouble understanding me. We both had to repeat ourselves several times.

After I put on my gowns and put all my clothed into a bag, I was shown to a 4 person waiting room for colonoscopy patients. The nurse started to talk to me and that's when we both learned that there was a goof up. She thought I was there for an upper scope. When I told her about my enema prep,.she twigged on. Apparently the receptionist had had me sign the wrong consent form.

About 20 minutes later I was in the procedure room. Dr D. said she always knew I was there for a sigmoidoscopy.

I had opted not to have a sedative. My sigmoid is only 8 inches long and I had one ten years ago. I was not very comfortable in the Montfort. I felt I should be alert.

Dr D got my permission to let a med school student watch. Then she said something about my IBS and I corrected her. I told her I don't have inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative collitus. She said there has to be some reason why my colon was removed. Hello? We had a consultation in December in which I explained everything but now she didn't have a clue. This made me nervous.

I reminded her of my case.

The procedure went well. I got to watch the doctor navigate my shitty bowel and the nurse flush water in to reveal the pink healthy sigmoid with its river like veins and cavernous asshole.

But Dr. D expressed confusion over the fact that I didn't have a j pouch or some kind of loop. My sigmoid is attached to my small intestine. She said she doesn't understand my anatomy. I asked if I should be distressed. She said no. My sigmoid is healthy. She would see me again in 10 years.

I am glad my sigmoid is healthy. Doctors are all flummoxed by me since this health crisis began in 2009.

I didn't like how she was so unfamiliar with my case and the confusion caused by the receptionist not being able to understand me.

I didn't like the narrow halls of this old hospital. I just didn't like the Montfort and I hope I don't have to go back too often.

Charles and I came home, had lunch and went to sleep. My bowels were still a little sore from the experience and although the doctor and staff handled the procedure competently, the lack of memory about my case really made me question that competence.