C-Day
D-day, or rather C-day, has arrived, and even though this is not my first rodeo, I can’t help the nerves flitting through my stomach. Thank heavens for private healthcare, which means that I had some control over the time my colonoscopy was scheduled for. I’m booked for just after lunch, so it won’t be long before I’m done and can have something to eat; I’m absolutely starving!
The thing no one ever tells you until you actually have to have the procedure is that your bowels need to be empty. Easy peasy, you would think. Well, actually, nope. In order for your bowel to be completely clear, they have you drink a liquid laxative, a litre of the damn stuff, the night before to empty you out, and then another litre again in the morning. Neither the drinking part nor the after effects are anywhere in the realm of fun, but you have to do it.
Jackson had suggested he would come over and chill with me while I went through my regimen, but thankfully, a last-minute contract issue with some old songs that the band are looking to re-release meant that by the time he finally showed up it was past midnight and the worst of the effects were over. It’s not that I didn’t think Jackson could handle it, it’s more that I didn’t think I could handle trying to reassure him that I was okay when I clearly was in pain and suffering. Instead, as ever, Finn was by my side, ignoring the grossness of it all and allowing me to monopolise the TV with the worst trash I could find on my Netflix.
“You okay, Kat?” Jackson stares down at me with concern as we approach the hospital entrance.
“Yeah. Come on, it's this way.” I guide Jackson through the familiar corridors until we get to Outpatients. When I explain who I am the friendly receptionist ushers us through to my private room so that I can change.
“A nurse will be with you in five minutes to take you through the pre-op procedure,” she advises before giving me a reassuring smile and heading out the door.
Sorting through the hospital gown and giant paper shorts that are lying on the bed, I can’t help but grumble, “NHS or private, these gowns always leave nothing to the imagination.”
“At least you have your own loo,” Jackson grins, “And a big ass TV.”
“Yeah, at least that way, I won’t accidentally flash anyone. I have actually done that before,” I snicker. Before I can begin my story of nearly giving an old lady a heart attack, there’s a soft knock at the door, and a nurse pops her head around the doorway.
“Let’s go through this paperwork, Kat,” she says with a kind smile, " And then you can get changed.”
“Sure,” I respond, the butterflies building in my belly despite my best efforts to stay calm.
It’s the usual procedure of making sure I am who they think I am until a plastic bracelet confirming my identity is finally fastened around my wrist. “And would you prefer gas and air, or sedation, during the procedure? I am assuming your partner here is staying until you are ready to be released?”
“Sedation, please. Yes, Jackson will wait for me and take me home,” I confirm. This does feel strange, as I usually have Soph or Finn accompanying me, but it's not as unnerving as I was expecting it to be.
Once the nurse is happy that we have covered everything, she lets me know that I will be first on the list and to go ahead and get changed.
Jackson waits until the door closes behind her before letting out a snort, “Well, that was a bit intense.”
“Yeah, well, I guess they don’t want to stick things up the wrong person’s bum,” I giggle. “Wait until you see me in these bad boys,” I add, motioning to the gown and shorts before pulling off my top.
The look on Jackson’s face when he sees me gowned up a few minutes later is priceless. “Sexy, hey?” I joke.
“You are always sexy. You could wear a black bin bag, and you would rock it,” he responds, pulling me into his arms. Resting my cheek against his chest, I take a moment just to be. Listen to Jackson’s heartbeat. Soak up the warmth radiating from his torso. Calm my nerves with his familiar scent. If I close my eyes, I can pretend that we are somewhere, anywhere else, apart from the sterile ward of a hospital.
With a long sigh, I squeeze my arms around Jackson’s back and revel in the feel of the returned hug as Jackson whispers reassuring words into my hair.
“They will be back for me any minute,” I grumble as I reluctantly pull myself back from Jackson’s arms. Sure enough, a moment later, there’s a knock at the door, and the nurse with the kind smile is back to let me know it is time to go.
With a soft kiss on my cheek, Jackson reassures me that he will be waiting for me and will see me when I am done. I offer a smile and a small wave in return as I follow the nurse out of the door and into the corridor that will take us down to the procedure room.
It’s time to get this done.