Hey Phoebe tough chickie, do you have any sort of health insurance? I'm not familiar with the Australian system...you might want to talk to the hospital where you're getting your care and explain your financial situation. The least they could do is put you on a payment plan; sometimes they'll even knock down the price of procedures, etc. if you show them you intend to pay but are simply struggling financially.
As far as school goes, I have totally been there. Studying for my medical college admissions test (MCAT) between diarrhea/vomiting/pain episodes. That completely sucked and I never even ended up taking the test because I had to have surgery instead. Talk to your professors and tell them you have this medical issue you are in the middle of taking care of. Would they cut you any slack at all??
As far as the scoping prep, here are some ideas:
- Definitely get a bunch of those nice soft baby wipes for your bum. You are seriously going to need them!
- Buy some really dumb tabloid magazines or something hysterical to read while you're in the loo. Don't you dare try to study or prepare for exams or write your essays!
- Follow a clear liquid diet the day beforehand and preferably two days beforehand. This will make the prep easier on you. Blue Gatorade a couple days before your test will help maintain your electrolyte level, which can get seriously messed up during the prep.
- When the garden hose feeling is nearing completion (usually later in the evening), take a nice bath; it'll help your bum feel better, as well as the rest of you, which by that time will be grumpy and exhausted.
Good luck Phoebe. We're here for you!