Colonoscopy

I had a colorectal cancer screening exam this morning. I have family history of colon cancer. Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum. Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man promotes colon health and colorectal cancer awareness. I have pasted several excerpts from the American Cancer Society website on Colorectal Cancer. Please visit the American Cancer Society website (http://www.cancer.org) for more detailed information.

The American Cancer Society and several other medical organizations recommend earlier testing for people with increased colorectal cancer risk. These recommendations differ from those for people at average risk. Even though medical professionals do not know the exact cause of most colorectal cancers, it is possible to prevent many colorectal cancers. For more information, talk with your doctor.

Colorectal Screening

Regular colorectal cancer screening or testing is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer. Screening is the process of looking for cancer in people who have no symptoms of the disease.

Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are screening exams for colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as "colon cancer"). But false information and a misplaced sense of modesty have scared some people away from these lifesaving tests. Since Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man had a colonoscopy, I will focus on the the colonoscopy screening exam. Once again, please refer to the American Cancer Society website (http://www.cancer.org) for comprehensive cancer information.

A colonoscopy is an exam that allows a doctor to closely look at the inside of the entire colon. The doctor is looking for polyps or signs of cancer. Polyps are small growths that over time can become cancer. The doctor uses a thin (about the thickness of a finger), flexible, hollow, lighted tube that has a tiny video camera. This tube is called a colonoscope. The colonoscope is gently eased inside the colon and sends pictures to a TV screen. Small amounts of air are puffed into the colon to keep it open and allow the doctor to see clearly.

The exam itself takes about 30 minutes. Patients are usually given medicine to help them relax and sleep during the procedure.

Your doctor decides how often you need this test, usually once every 10 years, depending on your personal risk for colon cancer. It's important for people to talk with their doctor to understand their risk for colon cancer, the guidelines they should follow for testing, and whether they need to start being tested at age 50 or earlier.

For the most part, patients are given medicine to sleep through the colonoscopy, so they won't feel anything. Air is pumped into the cleaned-out colon to keep it open so that doctors can get the best pictures. While it may cause slight discomfort, it should not hurt.

A colonoscopy is almost always done by a doctor, usually a gastroenterologist (a doctor whose specialty is the digestive tract) or a surgeon.

Colonoscopy is done in a private area; it may be a hospital outpatient department, a clinic, an ambulatory surgery center, or a doctor's office. The patient's privacy is a top concern.

The preparation for the colonoscopy makes you to go the bathroom a lot! The doctor will give you instructions. Read these carefully a few days ahead of time, since you may need to shop for special supplies and get laxatives from a pharmacy. If you are not sure about any of the instructions, call the doctor's office and go over them step by step with the nurse. Many people consider the bowel preparation (often called the "bowel prep") the most unpleasant part of the test. You follow a special diet the day before the exam and take very strong laxatives before the procedure. You may also need enemas to clean out the colon. The key to getting good pictures is to have the colon cleaned out.

Because colonoscopy is usually done with drugs that make you sleepy, people usually will miss a day of work. You'll need to stay close to a bathroom. You might want to schedule the exam for a Monday, so you can be at home the day before without taking that day off work.

Most people feel OK after a colonoscopy. They may feel a bit woozy from the drugs (anesthesia). They'll be watched and given fluids as they wake up. They may have some gas, which could cause mild discomfort. Because of the medicines given for the test, most facilities require that you bring someone to take you home.

If a small polyp is found, your doctor will probably remove it. Over time some polyps could become cancer. If your doctor sees a large polyp, a tumor, or anything else abnormal, a biopsy will be done. For the biopsy, a small piece of tissue is taken out through the colonoscope or sigmoidoscope. It is sent to a lab to be checked under a microscope for cancer or pre-cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer screening helps people stay well and save lives. Regular colorectal cancer testing is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer. Removing polyps prevents colorectal cancer from ever starting. And cancers found in an early stage are more easily treated. Nine out of 10 people whose colon cancer is discovered early will be alive 5 years later. And many will live a normal life span.

But too often people don't get these tests. Then the cancer can grow and spread without being noticed, like a silent invader. In many cases, by the time people have any symptoms the cancer is very advanced and very hard to treat.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man is grateful for the talents of the medical professionals who performed his colonoscopy. Thank you!

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com

Presidents Day

Presidents Day is the third Monday in February! This holiday was created to celebrate the deeds of two legendary American Presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

I spent the day reading more about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and all the other Presidents of the United States of America. It is really fascinating to read of the lives and accomplishments of these great leaders. It takes a special person to become the President. I am intrigued by government and politics.

Democracy promotes freedom. Feedom promotes innovation. Innovation leads to finding ways to improve the lives of people. I would be thrilled to collaborate with all living American Presidents toward improving yard safety so that the 400,000 yard accidents each year (as reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) are eliminated. In America, I realize that anything can happen. Right now, I am dreaming of an American Dream. In the future, I hope to meet President Obama (44), President Bush (43), President Clinton (42), President Bush (41), and President Carter (39). I would like to visit the White House to meet with the living Presidents. I would like to ask them for their assistance in promoting yard safety awareness. I have a dream. I have a vision to rescue people and to eliminate yard accidents.

Since yard safety awareness is a global issue, I want to extend my passion for yard safety beyond America and to collaborate with leaders around the globe. Eventually, I would like to ride a lawn mower completely around the world.

The American Dream Lives. Celebrate Presidents Day.

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com

Shovel Love

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man presents some snow shovel love safety tips. Snow has fallen. Snow will fall again. Snow needs to be moved safely.

Snow Shoveling Safety Tips:

If you are inactive and have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor before you take on the task of shoveling snow.

Avoid caffeine or nicotine before beginning. These are stimulants, which may increase your heart rate and cause your blood vessels to constrict. This places extra stress on the heart.

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as big an issue in cold winter months as it is in the summer.

Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as needed.

Warm up your muscles before shoveling, by walking for a few minutes or marching in place. Stretch the muscles in your arms and legs, because warm muscles will work more efficiently and be less likely to be injured.

Pick the right shovel for you. A smaller blade will require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your body.

Lift with your legs not your back. Bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible so that the lifting comes from your leg muscles, not your back. Never bend at the waist. Step in the direction that you are throwing snow. This will help prevent the lower back from twisting and will help alleviate any back soreness that you might typically experience the day after a hard shoveling job.

Create some distance between the hands. This will give you more leverage and make it easier to lift snow.

Pick-up smaller loads of snow. It's best to shovel by sections. If you are experiencing snowfall levels of 12-inches or higher, take it easy and shovel 2-inches off at a time.

Do push. Don't lift. Save your back and your energy by simply pushing the snow to the side instead of lifting the snow and throwing it off to the side. Listen to your body. Stop if you feel pain or observe heart attack warning signs. These may include chest pain as well as shoulder, neck or arm pain; dizziness, fainting, sweating or nausea; or shortness of breath. If you think you're having a heart attack, seek medical help immediately.

Shovel love is in the air! Yard safety is here! Rescue Rick cares!

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com

Red Blizzard

It is Winter and snow season. It is a season of many unusual blizzards this year. Several million households and businesses will require snow removal from their properties. Be careful. Think before you operate the snow removal equipment. Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man provides the following snow thrower safety tips with the goal of preventing any accidents.

Snow Throwers Safety Tips

Read the snow thrower equipment owner's manual thoroughly and understand all recommended operating and safety procedures before turning on the snow thrower.
Clear the intended snow removal area of potential flying objects, such as stones or toys, before you begin throwing snow; loose objects can project out of the snow thrower and hit nearby people and objects. Be aware of objects hidden under the snow.
Never smoke when filling the gas tank. Avoid gasoline spills (be good to Mother Nature.)
Never put your hands in the snow thrower chute for any reason. When the snow is wet, the snow thrower chute may become clogged. When this happens, turn off the snow thrower engine and wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop. Then, with a cleanout tool, clear the chute. If repair is needed, be sure to turn the engine off first and wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop.
Never allow children to operate the equipment. Keep children indoors and under supervision.
Never throw snow toward people or cars.
Never allow anyone in front of the equipment.
Keep the snow thrower in good working order. Maintenance. Maintenance. Maintenance.
Wear appropriate reflective clothing and footwear for the weather and activity. Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing. Wear safety glasses to protect eyes from thrown ice, stones, and other projectiles. Keep your hair away from the snow thrower.
Never disable safety features on the snow thrower equipment. Please refer to the snow thrower owner's manual for details.

Keep the snow white. Red snow is not a sign of safe snow. Keep it safe.

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2. It is held in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that Winter will soon end. If on the other hand, the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and Winter will continue for six more weeks. The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as high as 40,000 have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886. Many towns that celebrate Groundhog Day throughout North America have Winter-predicting groundhogs. By far, the most notable groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The 1993 comedy movie Groundhog Day takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on this day. The main character (played by Bill Murray) is forced to relive the day over and over again until he can learn to give up his selfishness and become a better person. In popular culture, the phrase "Groundhog Day" has come to represent going through a phenomenon over and over until one spiritually transcends it.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man relives Yard Safety Day every day of the year. In an unselfish manner, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man strives to create yard safety awareness in preparation for the advent of Spring and beyond. Furthermore, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man sees his shadow every day representing another 365 days of yard safety. Happy Groundhog Day!

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com