A few days later, I picked up the phone and called the doctor I was referred to. A cheerful young woman picked up the phone and greeted me. I told her I was looking to see the doctor to have a colonoscopy done. She mentioned I was not a regular patient and I replied I was referred by my present doctor . She gave me an appointment to see the doctor for a consultation.

The date rolled around and I showed up at the doctor at the specified time. I was again greeted by the same person I spoke to on the phone, checked in and waited. A few moments later, the door opened and the nurse called me in to the exam room. She asked me why I was coming to their practice for a procedure that my regular doctor could provide. I told her about my inability to pay the co-pays for the doctor, hospital, anesthesiologist, lab and pathologist. She also listened intently as I mentioned my bad experience at the hospital.

The nurse looked up at me from her notepad and said she thought the doctor could help me. Even though the doctor practices in a lower income neighborhood, she cares for her patients and works hard to provide them with healthcare they can afford, which usually involves using more traditional methods. She promptly excused herself as she consulted with the doctor. A few minutes later, she re-entered the room and said the doctor could perform the colonoscopy for me.

We set up a date and time (early AM) and I nervously asked what I needed to do to prep for the procedure. She advised a light dinner (preferably a salad) the night before as they could have me start the prep in the office. She asked if I wanted to be asleep for the procedure and I told her I was afraid of getting sick again. She advised me I could be put under without the heavy drugs that made me sick. She was kind and advised me they could give me a shot (not an IV) to make me relax followed by some laughing gas and something a little stronger that will keep me asleep just long enough for the doctor to perform the procedure. She advised most patients tolerate the anesthesia well and most just feel a little tired when they come to. The nurse advised me that the anesthesia is minimal and a few patients drift in and out of it during the procedure with no discomfort and I replied that it wasn’t a very big concern for me. She did mention if I wanted to go to sleep, I would need a ride home to which I agreed. I thanked her for my time, took my appointment card and headed home.