A little update about my health

Yesterday I went through a colonoscopy to check the situation with my intestines. While I was undressing and putting on that typical hospital gown that’s open in the back, sitting there waiting for the stretcher, looking at the walls and listening to the sounds around me, I felt this strange wave of fear and awareness spreading through my body. My eyes watered. I was just going in for a colonoscopy, nothing dramatic. But it brought back memories of a time in my life when I was very sick as a child. Almost all of my mother’s salary went to medication, and we ate at my godmother’s house because sometimes there wasn’t food at home.

That feeling made me think: “You brought yourself this far. Can you feel how every criticism, negative energy, and frustration you shared — even with good intentions — just bounced back onto you? Can you find a new way to channel all that into something more constructive?”

I believe that every situation or illness we face begins inside us. And if we’re responsible for creating it, then we’re also responsible for changing it. That brings me comfort, even though it reminds me of the responsibility I have toward myself. Knowing that, one way or another, if I made it here, I can stand up again — that’s what keeps me moving forward and never stopping. I hope this reminds you that no matter what situation you’re going through, you should be the person most invested in building a new reality.

Then they took me to the waiting area. There were many people lying there. It looked (in my mom’s words) like a battlefield. For the doctors it was just another day, and at 8:45 in the morning there were already around 50 people waiting. All of them there for a colonoscopy, all ages. I was one of them. Working in that field requires a kind of “cold blood,” because you deal with so many people. I hope I managed to express my gratitude to every person I interacted with — looking them in the eyes, greeting them, and thanking them. I was treated very well, with humor and kindness. I have a vague memory (one of the few) of leaving groggy and waving and thanking the doctors and whoever was with them.

Well, I did the colonoscopy, and to be honest, it was way better than the visit to the proctologist. I didn’t feel anything (so if you ever need one and are scared, don’t be — the only thing you feel is the needle in your arm when they put in the IV). With the proctologist I felt like a puppet because she put her finger in my butt for the exam. The only thing missing was her saying “open and close your mouth.” But trust me, it all passes. Including the sensation of her finger.

I don’t think you’re interested in the prep process before the colonoscopy — the absurd amount of laxative and the fasting. But I want to share one thing to reassure you if you ever need to go through it: to my surprise, even though I was literally pooping water at the end, it wasn’t uncomfortable. There was no cramping — at least not the way I imagined. But if you feel the urge to fart, go to the toilet.

They removed four small elements from my intestine for biopsy, but it’s nothing serious. And in the two weeks before the exam, my intestines had already gone back to normal without bleeding.

I’ll get the results in two weeks, but for now the doctors said it’s nothing serious. They suspect inflammation, but I’ll probably have recovered by then. I was happy to see my intestine from the inside. Considering how much I hydrate (I drink tea all day, every day), I was proud of myself. I just wanted to share an update on the process. Everything went well. Yesterday I spent the whole day at my mother’s place resting and recovering. And actually, I have a funny (and disgusting) story.

When we went to get authorization for the biopsy, I stopped by home because I needed to use the bathroom. When I left the exam, my mom gave me some tea because I was thirsty. I sat on the toilet and suddenly I was vomiting at the same time that… well, you know. Then when we got to her apartment, right at the stairs, I couldn’t hold it and vomited again. I looked like the girl from The Exorcist. We walked into the kitchen and it happened again, and when I tried to block it with my hand it splashed back into my face. I remember laughing because it was funny (and because it was just water since I hadn’t eaten for a day). Anyway, I wanted to share this so you remember not to drink too much while you’re still under anesthesia, because it tends to come back up. I’ll spare you the other details, but I just want you to know everything is fine and I’m okay.

I did this exam because I want to be here for the next 30 years (and more), to make sure all the ideas and concepts we’re creating can come to life and find their way to you. That’s it. Now I need to go because my partner wants to go to a charity bazaar to buy some bags. Wish me luck not to poop myself on the way. Thank you!