I am so grateful to have found Western Washington GI, and specifically, Dr. Schreiber.
Having a strong family history of colon cancer, I've known for a few years that I really need to get a colonoscopy. After contracting COVID in February, I developed an ulcer, and subsequently also needed an endoscopy. My brother, who is just two years older than me, had an alarming colonoscopy this year, and that was the final catalyst to get things done.
Make no mistake about it. I was absolutely TERRIFIED.
And, as an ER RN myself, I felt like I "knew too much". My primary doc recommended Western Wa Gastroenterology.
When I called to make an appointment, I was given the option of seeing the PA quickly (who I'm sure is abundantly competent, but doesn't do procedures) or wait to see the doc who would actually be doing my procedure. As I preferred a female doctor for this particular kind of thing, I researched reviews and asked for recommendations online, and those two things led me to Dr. Schreiber. I chose to wait to have an appointment with her so I wouldn't meet her on the same day that she'd be putting a scope where the sun doesn't shine.
I first met with her in the end of May, and I could tell immediately that she was worth the wait. She asked questions that made it clear that she had read my intake form, and wanted to understand why I was there and help me. She was so kind and patient, and when I told her that I had some anxiety revolving around the procedures, she was understanding and reassuring.
Fast forward to my procedure day, I showed up at the endoscopy center earlier this week. I checked in at 8am, and from the kind woman who checked me in, to my nurse, Theresa, to Dr. Schreiber, to the nurse anesthetist, Nate, to my recovery nurse, Amy, everyone was SO friendly, so respectful, caring, professional, and gave me the utmost confidence and reassurance that everything would be ok. I was out of there before 11am.
IF you have any concerns about the sedation portion, you need to know that some places use a combination of Fentanyl and Versed, and some use Propofol. When you hear about people waking up mid-procedure, they likely got the first one. I communicated my concerns to Nate, and I received Propofol which is standard for this practice, and I remember absolutely NOTHING of the actual procedure. I woke up feeling fine - although I guess professed my true love to Nate - and he apparently was a good sport about it - and I was discharged rather quickly and was on my way home. Please note that you must have a driver in attendance and they must wait there for the duration of the procedure. Kids can come. They can be in the waiting area or the coffee shop, but they must stay in the building, which is understandable.
I was a little tired that same day, and maybe even a little bit the next day from the prep and not eating, but after that, I felt like a million bucks. Never had any pain, left feeling like I had a plan, was given a detailed report and photos about the findings, and a follow up call yesterday to see how I was doing.
If there's anything to take away from this, it's that you don't need to be scared. I was absolutely terrified until the minute it happened, but it ended up being a breeze. Get your tailpipe checked. Especially if you are over 40. If you wait until you have symptoms, it may be too late. Don't be a chicken like I was. It really gives you peace of mind just knowing that everything is a-ok.
I highly recommend WWGI, and I most definitely recommend Dr. Schreiber. read more