survive colonoscopy, son left home, gardening

Once you've had cancer you worry that every little ache and pain is now cancer. That isn't necessarily so. But it doesn't hurt (too much) to check.
I'm talking about the thrills and spills of having your own personal colonoscopy. After being on the anti-cancer/anti-estrogen drug for a few years, Femara, I seemed to have developed intestinal problems. Having too little estrogen can be as bad as too much (which can stimulate tumor growth in some women, like myself). Several months back I had the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- you know, going between consitpation and almost diarrhea, and I couldn't figure out why. So I did some research and began adjusting my diet and things are fairly close to normal. But I see where I have problems with pains/intestinal distress -- eating wheat or flour, too many nuts and more than a little oatmeal.

But the aches and pains of the abdomen made me worry about cancer. So I had a colonoscopy -- it came out clean! I was told by an acqaintance that her husband had colon cancer -- the symptoms were months of diarrhea and anal bleeding, which I didn't have, thank goodness. But the doctor said I needed a diagnostic colonoscopy anyway. The procedure itself I couldn't remember as they give you a sedative that essentially knocks you out, but I remember the three nurses trying hard to find a place to stick in the IV to give me the sedative, which wasn't comfortable.

And the night before, taking this electrocyte drink that rans trhough your system and made me run to the bathroom every 10 minutes was no fun --- I couldn't even wash my hair before the procedure I did so much running to the bathroom, soiling my pants one of those times. There should be a more gradual way to clean out your intestines before the procedure. I was amazed I had the will power to not eat for over a day (just drink) till after the procedure.

Now that son number two has left home [ :( ] I am concentrating on gardening, writing, (of course) and trying to get into college myself. I have registered for 3 graduate classes and have planted tomato plants, cabbage plants, zucchini, green peppers (a few of each) and broccoli and lettuce seeds in the last week. I hope it is not too late for the lettuce and broccoli. I should have gotten some potting soil and added it to whatever is in that old tire in back. I know it has a fair amount of sand, so wonder how healthy it is for vegetables. Last year we got several onions from the tire, but that was it.

I've also planted some campanula (bluebell family) and wonder if it can survive our mostly clay soil. Be nice if it did.