Of border crossings, PET scans and homeland security

[al from Canada]

Last week Linda had a PET scan in Hamilton, Ont. (still awaiting results) and later that afternoon we left on a businesss trip to Fort Wayne, IN. After we stopped at the customs station in Buffalo, the customs officer was walking around the car with some kind of monitor, similar to a TV zapper. He asked us if we had some kind of medical test. Linda and I were looking at eachother wondering..."how the hell did he know?"

So we were sent off to the area where suspicious aliens go be further interrogated. We pulled up the the main customs building and Linda was asked to go with 2 agents and I was asked to park the car in a garage, where I thought they were going to pull it apart. Now, those of you who have seen or met me in person can understand why this would happen to us but Linda looks like the personification of innocence. After I left the car I see Linda (laughing)with 2 customs agents pointing these sensors at her except they were standing 8 feet away from her. As I walked through the main office, I see more agents scurrying around wondering what's tripping all of their monitoring equipment.

A long story short, my radioactive wife set-off the alarms before we even stopped the car. As well, we were warned that the radioactivity wouldn't be totally out of her system for about a month, not the 6 hours we were told.

All of the customs officers were more than polite and I am relieved to know that homeland security does really work! We were also told that returning to Canada customs we wouldn't have this problem. I'm sure glad we're neighbours!

Have a great day, Al

[Lolly]

Well, I'm glad to know our people treated you well, otherwise they'd have had a little problem with some of us! Hoping go hear good news on the PET, and how INTERESTING that the radioactivity stays in the system so much longer than we're told. Not sure I like that very much.

<3,
Lolly

[chrislmelb]

Well Al, now you've got me intrigued- what do you look like?

Christine

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

Hi Al & Linda -

That is a funny story. Was it the customs officers that told you this about the radiation lasting so long. I will pass that by my onc. since they only say to stay clear of children/pregnant ladies for 6 hours. Very interesting ....

I work for a U.S. Customs house brokerage company and deal with customs daily and I am very happy to hear that they are doing such a fine job out there. They do jump at every little "anomaly" that they find, but that's a good thing in these day's. I would guess that traveling by air would produce some funny stories also.

I haven't set off any alarms lately, but with all of the scans I have had I probably glow in the dark .... that's an idea for Halloween hey...

I am praying that Linda's scan's come out great Al. Let us know and both of you take care.

[StephN]

What a scream! But it does have its serious side. Glad the border patroller asked first about a medical procedure rather than a "dirty suitcase bomb!"

Right - Al and Linda giving the Unabomber a run for his money.

Please let us know what the PET says. I have such a hard time believing that there is still as much active disease as they postulate. Not with all she has taken. Cancer is stubborn, but there must be a way to knocked it out!

My port made the hand wand do something when being screened at the airport not long after 9/11. Luckily I had a woman and told her that I had a subcutaneous port for infusions against my cancer. She touched it with the back of her gloved hand and sent me on my way, wishing me well.

[Sheila]

Al & Linda
Praying that the PET brings promising good news....I have to admit, I have a vision in my mind what Al looks like....I worked with a safety guy named Al & you remind me so much of him in your writings...maybe you have a twin!
Hugs 2 both of you
Sheila