Anonymous wrote:The people not getting colonoscopies, you are flat out dumb.

Colon cancer is very common and also so preventable. It's the second leading cancer killer.

Most moms are under 45 here and aren't even offered it. I'd love to get one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting! Thanks for all the responses. Im the OP and I ask because I just left an intense job where I had 0 time to do all these things and I went very part time and finally have that freedom. We were considering having a third but I worry I’d lose the ability to finally care for myself but you all give me hope.

How can you not have the time to schedule once-a-year medical appointments?

DP. I'm actually the healthiest I've been in years with RTO because a doctors appointment is a valid reason to telework. I schedule them strategically throughout the year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting! Thanks for all the responses. Im the OP and I ask because I just left an intense job where I had 0 time to do all these things and I went very part time and finally have that freedom. We were considering having a third but I worry I’d lose the ability to finally care for myself but you all give me hope.

How can you not have the time to schedule once-a-year medical appointments?

NP- I get very few days off from work. Dentist is super easy because mine works on Saturdays. Other appointments are much harder due to wait times, especially mammograms because the place I go to makes you wait forever so I lose half a day right there (and I have limited insurance-covered options). I don't think it's so hard to imagine why a working mom with several kids at home who have their own appointments (could be many depending on needs) has limited time making it hard to schedule even more appointments...

Anonymous wrote:Interesting! Thanks for all the responses. Im the OP and I ask because I just left an intense job where I had 0 time to do all these things and I went very part time and finally have that freedom. We were considering having a third but I worry I’d lose the ability to finally care for myself but you all give me hope.

How can you not have the time to schedule once-a-year medical appointments?

Are you going to the dentist every 6 months? Yes
Seeing your PCP at least once a year? Yes
Pap smears every 3-5 years ? Yes
Mammograms every year (if 40 +) yes
Colonoscopies starting at 45? Started at 35.
Exercising at least 75 (intensive) - 150 mins (less intensive) a week ? Just started after Thanksgiving. Tired of flab.

If you are doing all of these things, what job do you do? How many kids do you have? I am 40 with a part time job, less free time with RTO though. 2 elementary age kids.

Yes to everything. I’m 60 now but had my first colonoscopy at 45 due to family history of polyps. I’ve been getting them every 5 years. I don’t see a gyn every year - just a Pap smear every 3 years at my age, but I get a mammogram every year. I get annual physicals with blood work. Exercise daily. Dental cleanings every 6 months.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The people not getting colonoscopies, you are flat out dumb.

Colon cancer is very common and also so preventable. It's the second leading cancer killer.

They should make the screening easier. I need to do it but I am deterred by the prep and the need for general anesthesia.

You know what is not easier? Having colon cancer. The prep and going under briefly for the procedure are not a big deal. Recovery time is practically zero. You do it once every 10 years after first one unless you show indications you need it more often, which if you need it more often you are happy to go get them.

My relative in mid 60s got colon cancer after never having a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy was "gross". I often thought about what he must have felt like knowing he was dying from something he could have prevented. Can't be a good feeling.

Exactly. No, the prep isn't fun, but it beats chemo any day.

Yes, but I only strength train and only 60-90 minutes.

I do all of these things except the colonscopy. But on the time management front, I see the dentist more than twice a year. Unfortunately. To me, the real issue is working out because that requires a medium amount of time on several days. How I have done that has changed over time.

I understand avoiding scheduling doctor's appointments because they are an annoying hassle but the truth is that in the grand scheme of life it is not that difficult - we're talking 3-4 appointments a year.

51, law firm partner, 2 kids. it's gotten easier over time, but also in fairness, my own health has become more important to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The people not getting colonoscopies, you are flat out dumb.

Colon cancer is very common and also so preventable. It's the second leading cancer killer.

They should make the screening easier. I need to do it but I am deterred by the prep and the need for general anesthesia.

You know what is not easier? Having colon cancer. The prep and going under briefly for the procedure are not a big deal. Recovery time is practically zero. You do it once every 10 years after first one unless you show indications you need it more often, which if you need it more often you are happy to go get them.

My relative in mid 60s got colon cancer after never having a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy was "gross". I often thought about what he must have felt like knowing he was dying from something he could have prevented. Can't be a good feeling.

Are you going to the dentist every 6 months? Yes. I have longstanding dental issues and staying on top of things is important. I always ask for the first appointment of the day and don't take PTO.

Seeing your PCP at least once a year? Yes, but have only been doing this for about 5 years. I get a lunchtime appointment and don't take PTO.

Pap smears every 3-5 years ? I guess so ... probably the slackest on this, but we are monogamous.

Mammograms every year (if 40 +) Yes. My center offers early morning and evening hours. No PTO.

Colonoscopies starting at 45 I was 53, but will be more routine now. They found two little polyps, so I will go back in five years vs. 10. You need a full day of PTO for this.

Exercising at least 75 (intensive) - 150 mins (less intensive) a week ?. Yes. This is non-negotiable for me. Huge physical and mental health benefits. I usually work out as soon as high schooler leaves, for about an hour before starting my WFH job. I'm in health care marketing.

My kids are in high school and college. I consider all these things important -- they're making it more likely I will be around for the kids, grandkids, etc. Colonoscopy prep is NOT HORRIBLE -- and it is worth it!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The people not getting colonoscopies, you are flat out dumb.

Colon cancer is very common and also so preventable. It's the second leading cancer killer.

They should make the screening easier. I need to do it but I am deterred by the prep and the need for general anesthesia.

The problem is there really isn't a way to make it easier. The cologuard stuff doesn't pick up the precancerous polyps, the only way is to visualize them and they need an empty colon for that.

Anonymous wrote:The people not getting colonoscopies, you are flat out dumb.

Colon cancer is very common and also so preventable. It's the second leading cancer killer.

They should make the screening easier. I need to do it but I am deterred by the prep and the need for general anesthesia.

Anonymous wrote:I’m wondering about all these people saying “I have leave for appointments”—I can take whatever leave I want but I still have the same work. So if I take 2 hours off for a medical appointment, that just means 2 hours less sleep sometime that week.
And the kids do have so many more appointments hecause they are injury prone and illness prone — someone breaks something and that’s like a million follow up appointments. And braces! God the appointments for braces!

The fact that most doctors offices don’t answer calls during lunch is also challenging. I do need to be better about taking advantage of online scheduling since the only free time I have is usually 9-12.

FWIW, I don’t think it’s a mom thing because my husband is way worse that I am. I at least intend to get a colonoscopy— I don’t think he ever will.

Every work week of your life you have 40+ hours of jam packed work? No slow periods? No slack at all? I have times of year it's like this but times of year I know are slower and can schedule appointments and use my leave. What happens when you go on vacation?

The people not getting colonoscopies, you are flat out dumb.

Colon cancer is very common and also so preventable. It's the second leading cancer killer.