“ But it only found 13 percent of large polyps as compared to 95 percent with a colonoscopy.” - That is disappointing.
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From that same article:
“ In a study published on March 13 in The New England Journal of Medicine, Guardant reported that its Shield test found 87 percent of cancers that were at an early and curable stage. The five-year survival rate for early stage cancers is 91 percent as compared to 14 percent if the cancer has spread outside the colon.”
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Ugh… took my husband for his colonoscopy this morn, and they determined the prep was not sufficient. He follows all he steps, but “sometimes it happens”. Sent him home with the expectation that he can keep fasting til tomorrow since they have cancellations. Don’t yet know what time tomorrow (they will call when they figure out the rescheduling), but I do know poor guy is not a happy camper.
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Did they recommend the Miralax or magnesium citrate or anything since he isn’t cleaned out? Otherwise, I’m not sure what waiting a day would do, unless he’s still having bowel movements.
When we went for colonoscopy this morn he though he was ready, but one there he had some more BM. After another day of just liquids he thinks he’s ready. But he has another round (or maybe half round) of prep to do tonight.
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Well after that, he’ll most assuredly be ready! On one hand, this stinks for him (and you, since when they suffer, we suffer), but he’s lucky they’ll see him tomorrow.
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I almost posted pretty much the same thing a couple weeks ago. In my h’s case he was on one of the newish injectables for diabetes and/or weight loss. The nurse coordinating things said he was the second patient that day in that situation. She said they were considering changing the recommendation for stopping the ozempic/wegovy/etc from one week prior to two.
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My husband takes Ozempic. I believe he stopped taking it about 3 weeks before, significantly longer than his doctor suggested. This meant he had to start over at a lower dose and gradually increase just like when he first started. He takes it to lower his A1C, so I think he takes a significantly lower dose than those who take it for weight loss.
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A nice woman who has been in my gym training group for about a year told me she hasn’t gotten her colonoscopy that’s due because she’s single and has no one to drive her to the center. So I told her I would be glad to take her. She hesitated, and I said, “Seriously, I would be glad to. I’m always pestering people to get their colonoscopy, so please schedule one!” I said I could hang around town while she had the procedure. It turned out she was able to find someone to give her a ride home, so all I have to do is drive her to Portland Thursday morning. It makes me wonder how many other people procrastinate, thinking that nobody will help them. 
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That is such a nice thing to do! I have seen single people on NextDoor ask for help to get to/from day surgery and colonoscopy… even offering to pay $100.
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Gosh, it makes me sad that someone would have to offer to pay for a ONE-TIME ride. What has our society come to?
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That is so considerate. I think it’s hard for people to ask for help, and sometimes we have to be very assertive when we offer.
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Once upon a time I had to go to the ER for myself, via ambulance, when my husband was out of town. They let me go at around 1:00 AM, so I took a cab home. I had several people tell me later I could have called them for a ride.
Really? At 1:00 AM?? I doubt it.
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This is DH entire retirement hobby plan. He intends to drive people to appointments, shopping, etc. We had a gentleman at our church do this for years and he can’t anymore, and DH didn’t like how hard it was for my parents once they couldn’t drive.
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Oh, that’s so wonderful! I would sure appreciate help with my disabled son. He lives 30 miles away, so I can’t give him rides very often. Occasionally, the staff at his house does, but a lot of times they’re too short-staffed to be able to.
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Do colonoscopy appointments allow patients to go home by walking, public transportation, ride-sharing (Uber or Lyft), or taxi? I recall from upthread that many places do not want patients going home on their own, which means that someone else has to be available for the appointment.
Our doctor’s office requires the driver be there at the office at the beginning and remain there until the procedure is done. During covid, drivers were required to wait in the parking lot. I preferred that actually. Put the seat back and dose
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Where I had my colonoscopies they required you to have a ride home and you had to give them the phone number of the ride. They did specify no walking or public transportation.
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Two large gastroenterology practices in my area require a personal driver to be present when the patient checks in. No need to sit and wait but have to be there within a short period of time after the phone call. No public transport or walking or ride share at all, even when accompanied by another person.
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After the anesthesia, people are in no shape to walk home. And sending them home with a stranger, via a taxi or Uber, is not safe either. The patient may provide the wrong address, or the driver may somehow take advantage of them.
I drove a friend home once from a colonoscopy and he swore he was completely fine. After he got into his house, he realized he left his wallet in my car. 
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