Mary L. Reser

I went in for a routine colonoscopy, post 5-year breast cancer mastectomy, and endured a perforated colon. The MD had hospitalized me prior for diverticulitis and I had called two weeks prior to tell him I was passing gas constantly. He was not concerned.

I went in and woke up two weeks later after an induced coma, with an ostomy bag in place (for six months) and minus 20 inches of colon. I could not walk or talk. I had been rushed to the hospital where my stomach was filled with antibiotics and many lysis of adhesions corrected – there was an ovary growing into the colon and this ovary was removed.

I spent six weeks in hospital – and the doctor accused me of not taking the full two bottles of “cleanout” liquid which was not true. I was told my heart stopped during surgery. My balance is still off, I have ankle swelling and I truly believe I also have memory problems. I later discovered many have died or been seriously hospitalized as a result of this so-called simple procedure–not so simple for me or many others.