Never get old! I am not that old by it seems that one's fifties are a virtual minefield for nasty tests and procedures to detect cancer. My father's lucky early detection of a cancerous polyp puts me in a higher risk for colon cancer so now that I am over 50 I must be screened every 5 years. This involves a colonoscopy. So today is what I am told is the worse part of the procedure. I have to take two doses of Pavik-Salax this afternoon and this evening to clear the colon for tomorrow. i will park myself in my office which is close to the upstairs bathroom. I have made a good leek boullion ( Thanks for the recipe Mireille Guliano, author of French Women don't get Fat ) It is a rainy day so I won't take my walk outdoors anyways. Perhaps I will get a few chapters read for the Second Book Club selection. Then there is always Mahjong games on the computer which really waste time easily.

I have to admit that I am a bit nervous about tomorrow. Will I be over the effects of the laxative and will I have control over my bowels until the procedue is finished? When one is paralysed on one side, it is not easy to have 100% control on anything and this freaks me out. Before my stroke I could run quickly and never had to rely on anyone for assistance. Now I am playing a tape over and over on how I will strategize worse case scenarios like attaching my hospital gown with one hand ( I will just have to ask for help on this one) Part of stroke survival is learning to clearly and assertively articulate one's needs. I used to be a natural introvert and even now giving commands in a louder voice is stressful. Delegation is a stretch but I suppose this does build character in the long run. Well, I need to start psyching myself up so I will write later on to report on how i am surviving the magic drink.