My colonoscopy went well. The procedure was completely painless. The anesthesiologist administered a lovely drug that resulted in my not even remembering being wheeled into the operating room much less being probed in such a delicate area.
So why does everyone dread having a colonoscopy? It’s because of the necessary preparation the day before the procedure. Having a squeaky clean colon is necessary for the scope to do its job, and that means spending the day in the bathroom after having drunk several disgusting liquids. Well, drinking yukky fluids wasn’t my only horror before the procedure.
The doctor’s office called and said he was sick and would not be able to do the procedure. Well, I had already drunk the first of two laxatives required and had already spent quite a lot of time in the bathroom, and in anticipation of all this I had also taken off several days of work.
Now, I know doctors are human, and I also know that they get sick, but I am quite sure I screamed bloody murder when the nurse told me. She immediately suggested that one of his colleagues do the procedure, and I immediately accepted. I had had no recommendation from a friend about the second doctor as I had with the first, and I wouldn’t have time to research if he’d ever killed anyone on the table. I just knew I couldn’t go through the preparation process again anytime soon, and I hadn’t even done the second go round of laxatives yet.
Well, the second doctor was fine though he did not come in after to discuss the results. The nurse did that. I thought it should have been the doctor. She told me everything was fine, and I did not have to another colonoscopy for 10 years. She did say that I had a couple of “non-bleeding diverticula”.
The prescription for them NOT turning into a problem is a high-fiber diet, something that will be easy to subscribe to as I love vegetables, but I found a few other suggestions on the list that I had not considered high fiber but are. I thought I’d share the ones that surprised me:
• Kidney beans 13 grams of fiber
• Baked beans 6 grams
• Raspberries 8 grams
• Papaya .8 grams
• Almonds 1.1 grams
• Bean sprouts 1.5 grams
• Canned corn 2.9 grams
Add those to the others you know including whole grain foods (bran cereals and multi-grain breads), root vegetables (carrots, turnips and potatoes), cabbage and dark, leafy greens, fresh fruits with their skin, and dried fruits (prunes, raisons and apricots), and you have the prescription for a large, soft, bulky stool that passes through the bowel easily and quickly, and the way to avoid digestive tract disorders.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Shortcutting an Education
I have students who take so many dual credit (for both high school and college credit earned on a high school campus) and online classes that they often begin college with their first year already completed. Now, I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or not.
For the parents, it is a good thing because their children could complete college in far less time than four years, and that could be quite a savings. I keep saying could because it is still up to the student to complete the subsequent on-campus classes successfully and in a timely manner.
I have seen students start college way ahead of the game, then crash and burn during their first semester of on-campus classes. They are either having way too much fun or they are taking higher level classes for which they are not prepared, able or willing.
There is an epidemic going on in America right now. College sophomores are failing out in droves. In my day, Freshman English was the class in which they weeded out the kids who really did not belong. Today, colleges are struggling financially, so they open their doors to just about anyone. Then they water down the freshman classes in hopes of keeping students in school and paying, but when they advance to “real” college classes, they just can’t or won’t do the necessary work.
I still have high school students who don’t believe that they could have more than a 1,000 pages a week to read. Many are still banking on getting degreed by use of Spark Notes or Cliff Notes (what we older folks called them). What a shock these lazy and work adverse students are in for.
The problem of ill prepared students who don’t really want to do college level work and don’t really want to work hard at a job either does not bode well for our country. Every generation looks to the one that follows to not only carry on, but also to lead us to a higher level—a better standard of living and greater quality of life. I doubt the ability of this generation to do so. There is far too much self-centeredness and far too little competence and drive. Even the brightest among them will cheat to achieve rather than work.
In order for America to be great again, we must have an informed, educated and competent group leading us on. Will this generation that doesn’t read a newspaper, that doesn’t study history or civics, that cannot communicate above an eighth grade level be ready for the task? I think not.
And what is the older generation’s contribution to the problem? We are the ones who have coddled our children, excused their behavior, and enabled the decline. America is in trouble, and we are all to blame.
For the parents, it is a good thing because their children could complete college in far less time than four years, and that could be quite a savings. I keep saying could because it is still up to the student to complete the subsequent on-campus classes successfully and in a timely manner.
I have seen students start college way ahead of the game, then crash and burn during their first semester of on-campus classes. They are either having way too much fun or they are taking higher level classes for which they are not prepared, able or willing.
There is an epidemic going on in America right now. College sophomores are failing out in droves. In my day, Freshman English was the class in which they weeded out the kids who really did not belong. Today, colleges are struggling financially, so they open their doors to just about anyone. Then they water down the freshman classes in hopes of keeping students in school and paying, but when they advance to “real” college classes, they just can’t or won’t do the necessary work.
I still have high school students who don’t believe that they could have more than a 1,000 pages a week to read. Many are still banking on getting degreed by use of Spark Notes or Cliff Notes (what we older folks called them). What a shock these lazy and work adverse students are in for.
The problem of ill prepared students who don’t really want to do college level work and don’t really want to work hard at a job either does not bode well for our country. Every generation looks to the one that follows to not only carry on, but also to lead us to a higher level—a better standard of living and greater quality of life. I doubt the ability of this generation to do so. There is far too much self-centeredness and far too little competence and drive. Even the brightest among them will cheat to achieve rather than work.
In order for America to be great again, we must have an informed, educated and competent group leading us on. Will this generation that doesn’t read a newspaper, that doesn’t study history or civics, that cannot communicate above an eighth grade level be ready for the task? I think not.
And what is the older generation’s contribution to the problem? We are the ones who have coddled our children, excused their behavior, and enabled the decline. America is in trouble, and we are all to blame.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Gettin' Off the Sofa
I hate to exercise now. I hate the “must-do” of it. I hate the sweat that’s necessary for a really good workout. And I hate most not being able to do with my body what was once effortless.
I remember leading exercise classes during college, hiking through the woods for hours, and dancing non-stop for an entire weekend, and I never thought once that any of it was a drag. Now, exercise is just one more chore, and I hate that most of all.
I love the end results though, and I’m not even talking about maintaining weight, which is the obvious benefit. I definitely have more energy, tighter and more defined muscles, and NO aches and pains. Whenever I stop exercising, I almost immediately feel worse physically. YUK! You’d think all those reasons would be more than enough to motivate one to exercise every waking moment, but no.
Well, I found a few more reasons to do so, and these are even more compelling.
1. According to a study done with adults over 55, exercising at least three times a week at moderate or high intensity can reduce the odds of mental decline like dementia by 46%.
2. Lifting weights twice a week can boost bone density and decrease falls by 40% reports a study of women age 65 and older.
3. Women who walk at a brisk rate at age 60 and up are 200% more likely to be disease free at age 70.
If all these reasons aren’t enough, I don’t know what else we need to hear. My dilemma is that I have been able to do 45 minutes in my own pool every day. I love that—no travel, no competition for machines, no sweat and a tan to boot, but it’s too cold now, so I don’t have any choice but to do weight bearing exercises.
Here are some tips to for getting motivated and for making it fun:
1. Get a friend to go with you to the local high school track to walk. It’s close by; you don’t have to dress for or pay for the gym. The flat surface is easier on the joints. You can walk faster than through the neighborhood, and the time will fly if you’re doing it with someone else.
2. Exercise in front of a mirror. Besides seeing clearly what needs improvement, you can also see your muscles in action as you work them.
3. Work hard on the “show-off” muscles. Your biceps and shoulders will tone in just two weeks and there is nothing more exciting than seeing growing muscle definition.
4. Studies show that people exercise longer if they are doing it to music. Choose songs with strong beats and empowering words.
5. Cut your work in half by exercising several muscle groups at once. For example, lunge as you do triceps curls and squat between head presses.
They say that the key to being motivated is to focus on “how” to exercise rather than the “why” to exercise,, but these why’s are really compelling, so everyone, let’s get up off the sofa, once and for all.
I remember leading exercise classes during college, hiking through the woods for hours, and dancing non-stop for an entire weekend, and I never thought once that any of it was a drag. Now, exercise is just one more chore, and I hate that most of all.
I love the end results though, and I’m not even talking about maintaining weight, which is the obvious benefit. I definitely have more energy, tighter and more defined muscles, and NO aches and pains. Whenever I stop exercising, I almost immediately feel worse physically. YUK! You’d think all those reasons would be more than enough to motivate one to exercise every waking moment, but no.
Well, I found a few more reasons to do so, and these are even more compelling.
1. According to a study done with adults over 55, exercising at least three times a week at moderate or high intensity can reduce the odds of mental decline like dementia by 46%.
2. Lifting weights twice a week can boost bone density and decrease falls by 40% reports a study of women age 65 and older.
3. Women who walk at a brisk rate at age 60 and up are 200% more likely to be disease free at age 70.
If all these reasons aren’t enough, I don’t know what else we need to hear. My dilemma is that I have been able to do 45 minutes in my own pool every day. I love that—no travel, no competition for machines, no sweat and a tan to boot, but it’s too cold now, so I don’t have any choice but to do weight bearing exercises.
Here are some tips to for getting motivated and for making it fun:
1. Get a friend to go with you to the local high school track to walk. It’s close by; you don’t have to dress for or pay for the gym. The flat surface is easier on the joints. You can walk faster than through the neighborhood, and the time will fly if you’re doing it with someone else.
2. Exercise in front of a mirror. Besides seeing clearly what needs improvement, you can also see your muscles in action as you work them.
3. Work hard on the “show-off” muscles. Your biceps and shoulders will tone in just two weeks and there is nothing more exciting than seeing growing muscle definition.
4. Studies show that people exercise longer if they are doing it to music. Choose songs with strong beats and empowering words.
5. Cut your work in half by exercising several muscle groups at once. For example, lunge as you do triceps curls and squat between head presses.
They say that the key to being motivated is to focus on “how” to exercise rather than the “why” to exercise,, but these why’s are really compelling, so everyone, let’s get up off the sofa, once and for all.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Colon Testing
Well, I’m 61 and have waited 11 years too long to bite the bullet and get my first colonoscopy (koh-luh-NAH-skuh-pee) done. 50 is the recommended age for the first one and, generally, every ten years thereafter for the purpose of removing colonic polyps before they become cancerous. How often one should really undergo a colonoscopy depends on the abnormalities found at previous colonoscopies.
Individuals with a previous history of polyps or colon cancer and certain individuals with a family history of some types of non-colonic cancers or colonic problems that may be associated with colon cancer (such as ulcerative colitis and colonic polyps) may be advised to have periodic colonoscopies because their risks are greater for polyps or colon cancer.
Also a colonoscopy may be done to investigate the cause of blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea, a change in bowel habit, or an abnormality found on colonic X-rays or a computerized tomographic (CT) scan. Colonoscopy enables the physician to see inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, ulcers, and bleeding.
What is colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a 30-60 minute procedure that allows the physician(usually a gastroenterologist) to examine the inside of the entire large intestine, from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way up through the colon to the lower end of the small intestine.
The colonoscope is a four foot long, flexible tube about the thickness of a finger with a camera and a source of light at its tip. The tip of the colonoscope is inserted into the anus and then is advanced slowly, under visual control, into the rectum and through the colon usually as far as the cecum. The scope transmits an image of the inside of the colon, so the physician can carefully examine the lining of the colon. The scope bends, so the physician can move it around the curves of the colon. The patient may be asked to change position occasionally to help the physician move the scope. The scope also blows air into your colon, which inflates the colon and helps the physician see better.
How does the procedure go?
The patient lies on the left side on the examining table. Some pain medication and a mild sedative is given to keep the patient comfortable and to help with relaxation during the exam. If anything abnormal is seen, like a polyp or inflamed tissue, the physician can remove all or part of it using tiny instruments passed through the scope. That tissue (biopsy) is then sent to a lab for testing.
If there is bleeding in the colon, the physician can pass a laser, heater probe, or electrical probe, or can inject special medicines through the scope and use it to stop the bleeding.
Bleeding and puncture of the colon are possible complications of colonoscopy. However, such complications are uncommon.
The sedative and pain medicine should keep the patient from feeling much discomfort during the exam, but it is necessary to stay 2-3 hours afterwards until that medication wears off. Also, it is necessary to be driven to and from the procedure.
What bowel preparation is needed for colonoscopy?
If the procedure is to be complete and accurate, the colon must be completely cleaned, and there are several colonoscopy preparations. Patients are given detailed instructions about the cleansing preparation. In my case, the doctor's nurse showed an explanatory video one evening for all who were about to have the procedure done. She explained in detail afterwards all that had to be done and why.
The colon must be completely empty for the colonoscopy to be thorough and safe. To prepare for the procedure, the patient should follow a liquid diet for 1 to 3 days beforehand. A liquid diet means fat-free bouillon or broth, strained fruit juice, water, plain coffee, plain tea, or diet soda. Gelatin or popsicles in any color but red may also be eaten. Red dye of any sort may appear like blood during the test.
The patient must also take one of several types of laxatives before the procedure. In general, this consists of drinking a large volume of a special cleansing solution or several days of laxatives or enemas prior to the examination. These instructions should be followed exactly as prescribed or the procedure may be unsatisfactory, and may have to be repeated, or a less accurate alternative test may be performed in its place.
I have the procedure in a couple of weeks. I'm not looking forward to the liquid diet or the preparation process for cleansing the colon, or the scope for that matter. Clearly, I don't want to do this. I know I'm not afraid. Good heavens, I gave birth naturally to two babies over nine pounds. It just all seems so yukky.
But intellectually, I know it's necessary, so onward. I'll let you know if the yuk factor turns out to be such a big deal.
Individuals with a previous history of polyps or colon cancer and certain individuals with a family history of some types of non-colonic cancers or colonic problems that may be associated with colon cancer (such as ulcerative colitis and colonic polyps) may be advised to have periodic colonoscopies because their risks are greater for polyps or colon cancer.
Also a colonoscopy may be done to investigate the cause of blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea, a change in bowel habit, or an abnormality found on colonic X-rays or a computerized tomographic (CT) scan. Colonoscopy enables the physician to see inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, ulcers, and bleeding.
What is colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a 30-60 minute procedure that allows the physician(usually a gastroenterologist) to examine the inside of the entire large intestine, from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way up through the colon to the lower end of the small intestine.
The colonoscope is a four foot long, flexible tube about the thickness of a finger with a camera and a source of light at its tip. The tip of the colonoscope is inserted into the anus and then is advanced slowly, under visual control, into the rectum and through the colon usually as far as the cecum. The scope transmits an image of the inside of the colon, so the physician can carefully examine the lining of the colon. The scope bends, so the physician can move it around the curves of the colon. The patient may be asked to change position occasionally to help the physician move the scope. The scope also blows air into your colon, which inflates the colon and helps the physician see better.
How does the procedure go?
The patient lies on the left side on the examining table. Some pain medication and a mild sedative is given to keep the patient comfortable and to help with relaxation during the exam. If anything abnormal is seen, like a polyp or inflamed tissue, the physician can remove all or part of it using tiny instruments passed through the scope. That tissue (biopsy) is then sent to a lab for testing.
If there is bleeding in the colon, the physician can pass a laser, heater probe, or electrical probe, or can inject special medicines through the scope and use it to stop the bleeding.
Bleeding and puncture of the colon are possible complications of colonoscopy. However, such complications are uncommon.
The sedative and pain medicine should keep the patient from feeling much discomfort during the exam, but it is necessary to stay 2-3 hours afterwards until that medication wears off. Also, it is necessary to be driven to and from the procedure.
What bowel preparation is needed for colonoscopy?
If the procedure is to be complete and accurate, the colon must be completely cleaned, and there are several colonoscopy preparations. Patients are given detailed instructions about the cleansing preparation. In my case, the doctor's nurse showed an explanatory video one evening for all who were about to have the procedure done. She explained in detail afterwards all that had to be done and why.
The colon must be completely empty for the colonoscopy to be thorough and safe. To prepare for the procedure, the patient should follow a liquid diet for 1 to 3 days beforehand. A liquid diet means fat-free bouillon or broth, strained fruit juice, water, plain coffee, plain tea, or diet soda. Gelatin or popsicles in any color but red may also be eaten. Red dye of any sort may appear like blood during the test.
The patient must also take one of several types of laxatives before the procedure. In general, this consists of drinking a large volume of a special cleansing solution or several days of laxatives or enemas prior to the examination. These instructions should be followed exactly as prescribed or the procedure may be unsatisfactory, and may have to be repeated, or a less accurate alternative test may be performed in its place.
I have the procedure in a couple of weeks. I'm not looking forward to the liquid diet or the preparation process for cleansing the colon, or the scope for that matter. Clearly, I don't want to do this. I know I'm not afraid. Good heavens, I gave birth naturally to two babies over nine pounds. It just all seems so yukky.
But intellectually, I know it's necessary, so onward. I'll let you know if the yuk factor turns out to be such a big deal.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
A Teacher’s Trials
What's new in the world of education? Cut, Cut, Cut!
Cut teachers from staff. Then cut the conference periods, salaries and benefits of the rest.
And the irony….the administration and school district expect the teachers to do even more with and for students despite all these cuts.
Despite having less time to plan and grade and less money for resources, teachers are expected to do more paperwork, to be responsible for the test scores of students, and to get to know each one personally. Is the absurdity not obvious? They cram 15 more bodies in classrooms with too few desks and expect the teacher, to juggle teaching 35 talkative, often disruptive and disrespectful kids with placating their feelings and badgering them to do better.
We had a training session that was called “CARES”. The focus was on what more the teacher could do to make the student feel valued and motivated and be successful. Now in elementary school, a reminder of these goals might be good, but this was on the high school level. At what point do we expect the students to care about their own education and to do what is expected of them for their own good.
I have a colleague who now teaches almost 225 students. They are not the honors kids or the self-motivated. They are in fact the opposite. They are out of control, not interested in education, and belligerent, and this is in one of the only good schools left in what was once a stellar district. Imagine how that scenario would play out in a really tough school.
The students, whether they have earned it or not, demand to be treated like adults. I say high school is the time to CUT the strings. Expect them to behave like adults and give them adult consequences when they don’t measure up. Decide which ones value their education and have earned the privilege of going to college and prepare them for that eventuality. Send the others to technical training schools and teach them a skill that will make them employable and keep them off the welfare rolls.
Then take care of the teachers. People don’t choose this career for the money. They choose it because they want to make a difference in the lives of their students and because they want to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
Who do you imagine will take on this mantle if the job becomes impossible to do? It is already an incredibly demanding job to teach in today's society. It cannot become more dangerous or difficult. A shortage of teachers is already expected. I suggest that there will be an epidemic need for teachers in five years.
Compared to most of the other school systems throughout the world, America’s is now considered only mediocre. Where will we be when the last of the good teachers get out and there is no one to replace them?
Cut teachers from staff. Then cut the conference periods, salaries and benefits of the rest.
And the irony….the administration and school district expect the teachers to do even more with and for students despite all these cuts.
Despite having less time to plan and grade and less money for resources, teachers are expected to do more paperwork, to be responsible for the test scores of students, and to get to know each one personally. Is the absurdity not obvious? They cram 15 more bodies in classrooms with too few desks and expect the teacher, to juggle teaching 35 talkative, often disruptive and disrespectful kids with placating their feelings and badgering them to do better.
We had a training session that was called “CARES”. The focus was on what more the teacher could do to make the student feel valued and motivated and be successful. Now in elementary school, a reminder of these goals might be good, but this was on the high school level. At what point do we expect the students to care about their own education and to do what is expected of them for their own good.
I have a colleague who now teaches almost 225 students. They are not the honors kids or the self-motivated. They are in fact the opposite. They are out of control, not interested in education, and belligerent, and this is in one of the only good schools left in what was once a stellar district. Imagine how that scenario would play out in a really tough school.
The students, whether they have earned it or not, demand to be treated like adults. I say high school is the time to CUT the strings. Expect them to behave like adults and give them adult consequences when they don’t measure up. Decide which ones value their education and have earned the privilege of going to college and prepare them for that eventuality. Send the others to technical training schools and teach them a skill that will make them employable and keep them off the welfare rolls.
Then take care of the teachers. People don’t choose this career for the money. They choose it because they want to make a difference in the lives of their students and because they want to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
Who do you imagine will take on this mantle if the job becomes impossible to do? It is already an incredibly demanding job to teach in today's society. It cannot become more dangerous or difficult. A shortage of teachers is already expected. I suggest that there will be an epidemic need for teachers in five years.
Compared to most of the other school systems throughout the world, America’s is now considered only mediocre. Where will we be when the last of the good teachers get out and there is no one to replace them?
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