I suggested a screening colonoscopy back in the fall of 2009. It’s not easy to convince folks to sign up, but Tom relented earlier this year.
Who wants a stranger shoving a tube up one’s butt? And the cost? Whoa . . . Uninsured patients don’t have an extra 2000 bucks. But the prep is the worst: a liquid diet, laxatives, enemas, and lots and lots of bowel movements that force people to spend twenty-four hours affixed to their toilet. Keep a spray bottle on hand to clean up. Figure out who will drive you home cause you’ll be groggy. Then there’s the biopsies? And worst case scenario: colon cancer.
All in all an anxiety-provoking event.
Tom facebooked me today to share his experience. The worst part wasn’t the dude with the tube, the raw behind, or the near-miss diarrhea. It wasn’t even the outrageous expense. Tom revealed: “The worst part of my procedure was in the waiting room staring at a 50-inch, flat-screen TV with CNN talking about the nuclear disaster. . . A waiting room should be a quiet place to contemplate or read. I’m sure you agree.”
Meg Marshall of Eau Claire, Wisconsin agrees. Meg’s vision is clear: “Take the televisions out of the waiting rooms. The last thing a patient needs to listen to is Fox News anchor propaganda or CNN’s breaking news of the latest tragedy. Replace them with soothing music, maybe a water fountain, and lots of real green plants.”
Health care requires caring. So why scare the shit out of people in the waiting room?
I agree absolutely.
Bodhi
In addition, what about the decor. Does it feel like you walked in a healing environment? or does it say “I just threw in some chairs and tables?” Also, be mindful of the behind-the-desk chatter. If it doesnt have to do with your work, save it for the breakroom. Patients do not care about what you did last weekend, or why Mr Jones needs an appointment.
Speaking of a Colonoscopy and Japan. Dr. Hiromi Shinya, a world renowned Japanese-American developed the Shinya Technique for removing polyps through an endoscopy instead of invasive surgery. He is Chief of the Surgical Endoscopy unit at New York’s Beth Israel Medical Center and Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Albert Einstei nCollege of Medicine in NYC. He’s written two books, The Microbe Factor and The Enzyme Factor. Both are about taking our health back into our own hands and making simple, informed and empowered lifestyle changes. One of his important recommendations for health is HYDRATION. He recommends Kangen Water, made by a Japanese technology used in hospitals and homes throughout Japan that takes ordinary tap water and turns it into Living Water, like it was before the world was polluted. The water is alkaline, an electrical anti-oxidant, it is microclustered and restructured – all health promoting properties. A look at his YouTube video shows the power of drinking Kangen Water for colon health. After drinking Kangen Water for two years, I know now, I will never have or need a colonoscopy. I’d rather spend my money on health, hydration and vital foods than have a tube stuck up my back side. Please contact me for more info and to share more about the power of water, food and thoughts to create health.