An endoscopy

I came to the Bay Area Endoscopy Center for a procedure and found myself in the waiting room with three older Shanghainese women and two older Cantonese women. They spoke to each other in their respective dialects - Shanghainese and Cantonese.

​Earlier, my mom couldn't believe I would go through a deep-sedation endoscopy alone. She was so worried she almost forced herself into the car to come with me, breaking down in disbelief. I insisted on going by myself because my procedure was scheduled at the same time the kiddos would be getting out of school. My dad told me that in China, any anesthesia procedure requires the patient to be accompanied. And I noticed that from both groups of Chinese women, only one person was the actual patient.

​Then, two more women entered the room: a young Latina and a middle-aged black woman. The Latina girl was visibly distressed. The black woman held two bags and the young Latina's hand the entire time. She told the receptionist, "I am her Lyft driver. She was really scared, so I came up with her."

​The receptionist's face lit up. "You are a great soul! Her mom called earlier - thank you so much! You are a great soul, yes you are!"

​The kind Lyft driver then encouraged the young girl, telling her everything would be okay. Holding both of her hands, the black woman began to pray in loud voice: "Lord Jesus, please protect her and make sure the procedure goes smoothly. Lord Jesus, please guide her and help her through this. Lord Jesus, please make sure everything is okay, and she can go back to enjoy donuts and burgers and whatever she wants."

​The six Chinese women in the room, including me, watched the scene unfold with rapt attention.

​The black woman handed the bags to a nurse and left, and the young Latina was admitted into the procedure room. The Chinese women began to whisper among themselves in their groups: "Were they doing a prayer, like those in the movies?" "Yes, I believe so - it was a prayer, right?" "The black woman is so kind; she's helping this girl." "Oh, she is? That's good!" "The girl is so nervous; hopefully, everything will be fine with her." "Yes, hopefully, hopefully."

​I had the same thoughts. The last time I had been that close to a Christian prayer was 17 years ago at my Dutch friend's house. It was also my first time. ​After a few seconds, we all went back to our own business.

​In April of this year, I had my gallbladder removed due to gallstones. My long-term GI doctor, an excellent doctor by the way, a Chinese/Cantonese man, actually missed them for more than five years as my previous endoscopy was perfectly fine. To be honest it was mostly my own fault, as I didn't actively seek medical attention when I was in severe pain every few weeks or months; I just toughed it out like a good mother. 

After my gallstone episode, my GI doctor felt very responsible. Now, whenever I have even a little discomfort, I find myself in his office. This time, he immediately ordered an endoscopy to examine me thoroughly himself, just to make sure my stomach is 100% healthy.

Endoscopy requires deep sedation, but it is much milder than the sedation used for the gallbladder removal surgery. And I do not need to remove any of my ear or nose rings!!