Colon get's the all clear.... whew...

A colonoscopy at 90 is a HUGE deal and Mom had one two weeks ago.  It wasn an ordeal for her -  "cleansing" liquids all evening after a day of clear liquids and then more "cleansing" at the hospital before the procedure.  Long story short - she had 2  benign polyps and everything else looks good.

The original cleansing was awful; the stuff is basically soap or some kind of soapy tasting salt solution.  It really goes through the human body fast so she had to "go" within an hour and go again and again.  I sat with her in the evening while she drank all the stuff down and ensured that the aides responded quickly to her potty calls.   I actually helped get her up and down a couple of times - better that than have a mess and ruin her dignity.   When we were sure her colon was good and empty, she went to sleep and I went home for the night.  I met her the next morning at the hospital for the in-patient procedure.   She drank down more of the nasty goop and sat on the commode some more. She was exhausted and cold.  The nurses at the hospital brought warm blankets and we wrapped her up as she sat there.   After a couple of hours, she laid down and slept for a while.   She was up and down a couple more times before the procedure.  The colonoscopy itself took 30-40 minutes then she was in recovery for clean up and dressing.   She was starved so I fed her two small servings of custard and called the nursing home to hold some supper for her. 

I followed the van back and helped her eat and get into bed.   She was fast asleep by 8pm.   Given the "cleansing the evening before, it was a long day - 9am to 430pm - but she was a trooper. The aides and nurses were so very kind and helpful.  I am sure they'd have been just as professional and caring even if I'd not been there.    It was a lot to put mom through - 1 day of little food, 1 day with NO food, hours of diarrhea and a sore behind - but it's better to know if something is wrong.    I was worried about dehydration and low blood sugar which can cause a seizure given her epilepsy.  They gave her some IV fluids before the procedure and some dilantin to prevent an episode.   I don't think they'd have given it much thought without my questioning it ahead of time.   I just wanted to prevent a seizure when she was so vulnerable and it worked out fine.

Whew!
Should my elderly mom have a colonoscopy?  should my elderly dad have a colonoscopy?  am i too old for a colonoscopy?  How old is too old for a colonoscopy?

Newly diagnosed anemia could mean bigger issues for mom

Mom's doctor called today and wants to schedule a colonoscopy- the reason:  Mom's red blood count has been steadily falling over the past year; she is anemic.   She has no internal bleeding or other symptoms to indicate why she's anemic.  He fears she might have an ulcerated colon polyp.  She's had polyps in the past and should have a colonoscopy every 5 years to catch polyps before they become cancerous.   The doctor wanted my opinon on whether mom would want the colonoscopy and if she could stand the "preparation" for the procedure.   We agreed that it's best to do the prep at the hospital before the colonoscopy.  The prep is a complete cleansing of the colon with really strong laxatives; it can be nasty.  It means sitting on a toilet for long periods and possible dehydration.   Given her age and tendency to be slightly dehydrated it's best to do it at the hospital where they can quickly diagnose and address any complications.

I did some brief research on anemia in the eldery and am more concerned for mom.    The immediate worry is cancer or pre-cancerous polyps.   If that is NOT the cause of the anemia then we must worry about finding the cause and the secondary effects of low iron in Mom's blood.   For healthy younger people anemia meand fatigue and reduced endurance.  In the eldery it can mean increased risk of heart attack and has been linked to vascular dementia - confusion and forgetfulness resulting from decreased oxygen to the brain.  Long term effects of anemia are organ failure and even peptic ulcers.

I hate the idea of a prolonged diagnosis of the cause of this anemia.  I find myself almost wishing it is some polyp that is easily removed so she'll be fine but I can't help worry that there's something else wrong.  If it's not polyps then tests and procedures will wear Mom out and make her worry.   For now, I will tell her only that it's time for her regular colonoscopy and that I'll be there to help her through the prep and the procedure.  The rest we'll handle as it comes.

Mom has anemia what does that mean? anemia in the elderly causes of anemia in the elderly dementia from anemia. Can anemia cause dementia? can anemia cause alzhiemers?
colonoscopy in the elderly , anemia in the elderly should my mom have a colonoscopy.    , colon cancer in the elderly.  grandma has colon cancer.