Pictured above: Patient Navigator Kim Taylor with Jerome Wright

Neither Jerome Wright nor Caretta Watson remember hearing family or friends talk about colonoscopies. It wasn’t on their radar as something they might need.

What they absorbed growing up in Baltimore was a distrust of hospitals.

“Hospitals aren’t high on my agenda,” says Jerome, who explained that he sought out Health Care for the Homeless as an alternative to the emergency room when his left leg went limp three years ago.

Patient Navigator Kim Taylor, CCHW, CPRS hears this a lot when she calls clients due for a colorectal cancer screening. “A lot of people are afraid of the hospital or think that getting a colonoscopy means that you already have cancer.”

She assures clients like Jerome and Caretta that preventative screenings might save their lives and that she’s there to support.

“It’s better to know so you can do something about it early,” Kim insists. “I try to ease their mind.”

Caretta first learned about colonoscopies when she was 45. Her doctor recommended it as part of a complete physical to make sure her liver wasn’t compromised from hepatitis C. Since then, she’s been diligent about doing the yearly FIT tests, where you get a stool sample kit and mail it back.

Early this year, her test came back positive for blood. “I’ve been going through anxiety. I don’t want cancer.”

When Kim called her about getting a colonoscopy scheduled, Caretta remembers, “I told her that I didn’t have anybody to go with me, and she volunteered.”

Jerome is in the same situation. “It’s just me and my Labrador-Pitt mix,” he explained. “I wouldn’t have gotten a colonoscopy without Ms. Kim.”

Leading up to colonoscopy day, Kim works with clients through each step of the process. She confirms that the referral is active, helps schedule the GI consult, makes sure clients understand the preparation instructions, sets up an Uber for the morning of the procedure, and shows up day-of for clients who need her there.

Since the procedure involves anesthesia, anyone getting a colonoscopy needs a second person at the appointment.

One of Jerome’s fears was that his body might feel different afterwards. “I was very surprised by the recovery,” he chuckles. “It’s like nobody been back there. I had more discomfort when I ate some hot peppers!”

Just as importantly, Jerome’s doctor at Mercy Medical removed a polyp during the procedure—which relieved some discomfort and reduced the chance of those cells growing into cancer. Jerome will need to get another colonoscopy in three years, rather than the typical ten.

“I’m still going to be fearful,” he says. “But having this support system and being properly informed—I feel more powerful and confident. It balances out the fear.”

For anyone thinking about putting off a colonoscopy, both Jerome and Caretta have advice for you.

“It’s a serious issue that’s killing the young and old, so go on and get it done,” Caretta says without skipping a beat. “You go to sleep and wake up and it’s done!”

“It took me a minute to understand it, but take yourself seriously. If you don’t have your health, it’s over,” Jerome reflects. “In spite of all of the obstacles, the ups and downs, good days, bad days, I still like being on this side of the dirt.”