An obligation of age: Watch my colonoscopy

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An obligation of age: Watch my colonoscopy

January 24, 2011 by rstacey

A few months ago I turned 50. Kind of sad, I know.

However, upon the occasion of my birthday my very pesky family physician, Dr. Cherie Glazner, told me that 50 was the magic age when you needed a screening colonoscopy. Yikes! I had not even thought about that. I had so many horrible images in my mind that I didn’t even want to think about it. But, slowly she convinced me that this was the right thing to do, and that my paranoia was unfounded.

So, I thought I would put her to the test and I brought a camera along to record the event. If it really was as painless as she said, then I figured I could let others know as well, and then we would all be healthier.

I went to see my good friend, Dr. Pat McElwee, long-time gastroenterologist at Centers for Gastroenterology in Fort Collins. He also assured me the event was not as bad as people made it sound and, better yet, he agreed to participate in the video so that we could prove to people just how harmless it was. We then got Rebecca Craig, the CEO of Harmony Surgery Center (where the screening would happen), involved and it all came together.

Then, in a moment which was, I suspect, poetic, the New York Times published just this week an article which said that the fear I had was the #1 reason why people in the United States didn’t get a screening colonoscopy at age 50.

So in a moment of serious transparency, here is a video of my recent screening colonoscopy. Don’t make fun! I really think that you’ll watch this and realize that it is not as bad as people make it out to be, and it very literally could save your life. The procedure itself took about 20 minutes, and I went back to work when it was over.

The takeaway is this, from Dr. McElwee at the 3:46 mark of the video: “Screening colonoscopies lead to early detection, early detection leads to better cure rates, and better cure rates lead to a reduction in mortality secondary to cancer.”

I got mine — go get yours!

Rulon

P.S. You’ll be happy to know that during this process I learned that screening colonoscopies in China are generally done with NO anesthesia at all. So no complaining!

Posted in Health, Social Media, Uncategorized | Tagged cancer, cancer screening, Centers for Gastroenterology, colon cancer, colonoscopy, Dr. Cherie Glazner, Dr. Pat McElwee, gastroenterologist, New York Times, screening colonoscopy, Video, YouTube | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on January 24, 2011 at 2:13 pm | Reply Tweets that mention An obligation of age: Watch my colonoscopy « Visionary Healthcare -- Topsy.com

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by PVHS, Kevin Darst. Kevin Darst said: PVHS #CEO Rulon Stacey lets world watch his colonoscopy to raise awareness http://ow.ly/3Jj77 #noco #cancer #fortcollins #loveland [...]
on January 25, 2011 at 10:20 am | Reply Liz

Congratulations on the good results and many thanks for promoting this life-saving procedure. So many people wait ’til it’s too late because of their fears. When problem areas are found early the treatments are so much easier!

You’re a great role-model! Nice video!
on January 25, 2011 at 11:06 am | Reply Joe

I did not see in your blog, anything about the prep ? And how that was….lol
on January 25, 2011 at 2:55 pm | Reply Julie

Thanks for sharing. My sister in law waited until she was 51 and cancer was found. So my husband went before age 50 (it is his sister) and he had 6 polyps and was told he was about 6 months away from a cancer diagnosis. It truly can save lives.
on January 25, 2011 at 4:45 pm | Reply Lynn

Thanks for being such a good example! I’m overdue for mine but I made the call today to get it scheduled!
on January 26, 2011 at 10:26 am | Reply Georgina

Rulon,

I am so proud of you and very grateful that all went well!! You and I recently has a conversation about turning 50 and the wonderful celebration that your lovely wife planned for you in Maui!! A clean bill of health is certainly something to celebrate. Well this is truly a represenation of life…the “Wow’s” and the “fearful” but necessary moments….a rite of passage so to speak! I turn 50 very soon and am also planning the “Wow” celebration and the colonoscopy….after all what better way to sail into the second half of this amazing one life we have. Thanks for always being REAL!!!

Sincerely,
Georgina RN
on January 26, 2011 at 1:35 pm | Reply Kristin

My reason for not wanting to do them is the prep. But, I do still go and have mine done anyway.
on January 27, 2011 at 7:25 am | Reply rstacey

Hi Everyone

Thanks for the nice comments. This has been an interesting process. A couple of comments:

1) Some of you talked about the prep. If you are waiting because of the prep…don’t. It is not my favorite thing I have done in my life, but to be honest, people make much more out of it than need be. Its just not that bad.

2) I’m glad to see some of you going to get this done…makes me feel like this public humilation was worth it! I’ve talked to at least 15 people who are going to go do this now. I guarantee you that in that group someone will find some sign of cancer. Veryl cool.

Thanks for watching…make your loved ones do this!

Rulon
on January 28, 2011 at 9:33 am | Reply Linda

You went back to work afterwards? I am impressed! You were obviously better able to function than I was after mine.
on January 30, 2011 at 10:55 pm | Reply rstacey

Linda, actually, yes, I did. In fact, they used propofol on me (see: http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab006268.html ) and the recovery was almost instant. Very cool! But…I promise I didn’t sign any major contracts that day…just in case!
on February 2, 2011 at 9:10 am | Reply Sherry

Hi Rulan, what a great example of healthcare leadership!

I am past 50, never had a colonscopy even though I work in the healthcare industry and know it’s a great preventive measure. Primary reason – not wanting to go thru the prep….you have motivated me to get past that and just do it!

Thanks for sharing something so personal!
on February 2, 2011 at 12:49 pm | Reply Jerry Carlson

One of our internists told the residents at least once in my hearing that he thought he had saved more lives by ordering colonoscopies at 50 than by anything else he had ever done. So I’ve been planning to get mine this year for a long time. Couple questions about the propofol: Were you also able to drive? Were you advised that you might not be able to drive or go back to work?

Thanks.
on February 2, 2011 at 2:39 pm | Reply Kimi

Wow! Congrats on making it through the exam. It really didn’t look painful. I’m not 50 (yet) but I have come to understand the importance of getting one. I don’t know many CEO’s who would share their own experience to the public, but it opened my eyes. So, thanks for sharing and hope you’ve convinced your wife to get the exam done, too .
on February 2, 2011 at 10:32 pm | Reply rstacey

Hi All

Thanks for your responses to this. Makes it all seem worth it! I have heard from so many people that you are going to get your colonoscopy…but I want to hear from you AFTER it is done! Don’t forget…let me know how everything goes.

Now…back to a few questions. I was told not to drive after the procedure, but I was within walking distance of my office. I actually felt fine to function at work, but as a precaution, I didn’t sign anything important that day!

I’m serious…let me know how it goes with you!

Rulon
on February 4, 2011 at 9:29 am | Reply Kathie

Rulon,
Thank you for sharing this event. I waited until I was almost 60 and had my screening colonoscopy. As you demonstrated it wasn’t that bad. I was also glad I did get the screening, because 1 polyp was found with dysplasia. Two weeks later I had to go back (same prep) so the polyp site could have more tissue removed for testing and the good news was NO CANCER, NO PRE-CANCER.
Kathie
on March 15, 2011 at 1:52 pm | Reply Janette Allen

Ok Rulon maybe it’s because I’m a bit smaller than you and do have diverticulosis and IBS already or something…But the prep. just about killed me! I was passing out and finally called the doctor to get out of drinking the last bottle! I’m curious to know how Linda got along when you made her do it! I’m dreading my next one! Unfortunately mine have to be closer together than yours will be!

But on the postive note…I’m glad I went because polyps were removed and that is when the Diverticuli were discovered.

You are a trooper!
Janette