If you have ever undergone a colonoscopy, you know that the procedure itself isn’t the worst part—it’s the prep. Drinking liters of that awful-tasting laxative solution to clear your system is something nobody wants to do twice.
This morning, at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, I met a client—a young man who was surprisingly punctual. Usually, as a medical escort, I’m the one guiding the client through every step, but he had already arrived early and sorted out his basic paperwork. All that was left was to wait for the operating room.
We sat together in the waiting area, chatting to kill time and ease his nerves.
Spotting a Missed Opportunity
He mentioned casually that he was only booked for a painless colonoscopy.
“Just the colonoscopy?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. “Any specific reason you’re checking?”
“I’ve had some abdominal cramping and diarrhea recently,” he explained, rubbing his stomach. “I figured I should check my intestines. As for my stomach, I did a capsule endoscopy during a health checkup earlier this year, so I didn’t think I needed to do it again.”
Hearing about his symptoms—and knowing he had already survived the dreaded laxative prep—my professional instincts kicked in.
In the Chinese medical system, if you are going under anesthesia for a colonoscopy, adding a gastroscopy (stomach camera) is often a smart move. You are already sedated, and your system is already cleared. If he skipped the stomach check now and continued having pain, he would have to drink those laxatives all over again next month.
The Last-Minute Switch
“Look,” I told him honestly, “You’ve already done the hardest work by drinking the prep solution. Why not do the gastroscopy now too? Capsules are great, but a traditional scope is more precise, and if there are polyps, they can remove them right now.”
He paused, remembering the taste of the laxatives, and immediately nodded. “You’re right. I don’t want to drink that stuff again. Can we still change the order?”
“Leave it to me.”
This is exactly where our China Medical Escort Services shine. It’s not just about translation or standing in line; it’s about navigating the system efficiently.
I immediately went to the nurse’s station (the “Pink Lady,” as locals sometimes call the nurses in pink uniforms) to update the request to a “Double Scope.” Then, I found the doctor (the “Big White”) to sign off on the additional item. It cost a little extra, but we moved fast and didn’t lose his spot in the queue.
A Decision Worth Making
The procedure went smoothly. When he woke up from the anesthesia, the doctor came over with the report.
The result? Polyps were found in both his stomach and his intestines.
“It’s a good thing we did both today,” the doctor said, pointing to the images. “We removed the polyps. If you had waited, this could have been a problem later. It was very worthwhile.”
The client, still groggy from the anesthesia, grabbed my hand. “Thank you so much for suggesting that. If I had gone home and still had stomach issues, I would have had to do the prep all over again. You saved me a nightmare.”
Why You Need a Medical Escort
Navigating hospitals in Shenzhen can be chaotic, especially if you are unwell. Many people think an escort is just a runner, but we are your advocates. We know the shortcuts, we know the doctors, and we know when to suggest a better plan.
If you need to visit Peking University Shenzhen Hospital or any other facility and don’t want to face the crowds and confusion alone, we are here to help. Sometimes, a little local advice makes all the difference.
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