'Jeopardy!'s Mayim Bialik Worries Fans With Photo From Hospital Bed
Mayim Bialik certainly captured her fans' attention when she uploaded a few snapshots of herself sitting in what appeared to be a hospital bed last week, but alarm quickly made way for education.
The beloved game show host was not, in fact, hospitalized, but was all dressed up and ready to go under for a routine colonoscopy, which she shared with her Instagram followers in the hopes of encouraging others to do the same
"It’s not terribly fun getting older," she wrote candidly. "Especially when you have to get a routine colonoscopy and really wish you didn’t have to."
So she turned something negative into something a little more neutral, encouraging her followers to embrace their own health.
Related: Katie Couric Wants You To Get Your Colorectal Cancer Screening Today
"Let’s remove the stigma of routine things that we really should not have problems as a society talking about - ignoring things doesn’t make them go away!" she suggested. "Also let’s not be Puritanical about colonoscopies. It’s a thing."
She also begged anyone reading, "Please don’t put off taking care of your body. It’s connected with your mind and your mental and emotional well-being. Be proactive." Plus, she said, "It wasn’t bad at all."
Some day in the future, she even has tips to share to make it the most positive experience possible.
Colon cancer survivors were grateful for the visibility, with many detailing their own success stories.
"Colonoscopy saved my life at age 46. Discovered I had colon cancer. A week later I was in surgery. 8 years later I am still cancer free. Get the test!" one wrote.
"I have Rectal cancer, confirmed by a colonoscopy. Please everyone keep on top of any anomalies in ur body n insist on further testing . My tumor was in situ for 7 years without any symptoms," another warned.
"A routine colonoscopy saved my life💜," another said simply.
Others assured viewers that the colonoscopy itself is a breeze—the problem lies within the prep, which one person likened to the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince scene where Professor Dumbledore has to drink all of the potion in the cave to free the Horcrux.
"The prep is unpleasant, but the nap during the colonoscopy is a 10/10," someone joked.
"Worst part was the prep. 🤢," another said.
Luckily, prep is getting easier with a new option that is meant to taste just like a sports drink.
