My bottom is on my mind this week.

It has been seven years since my first colonoscopy. I am scheduled for my next one in two weeks.

My first colonoscopy was pretty much a disaster. I didn't have enough sedative, and I felt all the discomfort. The main discomfort, of course, is when they blew air into my colon so the doctor could better visualize what was going on – or better, going through.

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When I was with my doctor recently, I asked him how he dealt with his own colonoscopy.  He said it was no problem because they gave him Propofol. Now, I also want Propofol. But I am very much afraid that I won't get it.

That fear is taking over right now. The scheduling person said that I won't be able to talk to an anesthesiologist until just before my procedure. I'm afraid that when I tell the anesthesiologist I want Propofol, he or she will deny me it. Even though I have drunk the medication and sat on the toilet for hours the night before, I will have to put on my pants and walk out.

I need assurances!

So today I will email my regular physician and ask him how I can “guarantee” that I will get Propofol for the colonoscopy. I will also call the gastroenterology department to find out if there's anything I can do to assure getting Propofol.

Next week I'll be attending a class that is supposed to teach me about the colonoscopy procedure, and provide me with the appropriate “flavored drinks.” I'll be sure to bring up the Propofol issue then. I assume I might freak out a number of my classmates, and I assume the instructor will not be very happy with me. So be it.

Stay tuned for an essay in a couple of weeks to see how (or if) it went through.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com