Comments on: If I’ve been exposed to that much radiation, I should at least have superpowers!

By: Thealogian

Thealogian — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:14:14 +0000

By the way, my dad used to work at one of the National Labs (nuclear weapons labs, alright I said it–he was one of the good guys though, geologist).

Anyway, one of his colleagues who was quite a bit older than him told him a story that back in 1947 when they were doing above ground testing with full military personnel in the field like toy soldiers (with nuclear bombs going off!) he was a scout, meaning he was stationed three miles closer to the bomb site than the rest of his unit. Anyway, the bomb goes boom and it has a much larger pay-load than they expected (and radiation circle). He calls into his commander and says, “gee, that was really hot, was it supposed to be that hot?” and the guy on the other end radio’s back, “John, is that you, you’re supposed to be dead!”

He was Mormon, had eleven kids and no cancer as of the late 1990′s. So, some people can actually take more radiation than others is the moral of the story. Also, don’t let the government pretend you’re a toy-soldier!

Peace

By: Thealogian

Thealogian — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:06:35 +0000

My superpower would be the ability to transfer images/experiences from one person to another so that they each could see where the other person was coming from in an argument or debate (for example, every Senator & Representative should have to live the life of an uninsured person trying to get care for a treatable, but deadly without treatment, disease or condition, then devise healthcare reform. Yeah, single-payer would be enacted *snap!

By: Samantha

Samantha — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:34:39 +0000

yikes….I’m glad my neurologist sent me to get an MRI. My MRI did not come back normal sadly, turns out I have a small begnin tumor called a menigianoma that he Doctor said isn’t the cause of my migraines…So now I have two reasons to see the Neurologist….yea. My consolation prize is an annual MRI most likely for the rest of my life with the possibility of brain sugery at somepoint. So at least you don’t have to worry about a growing tumor! Small solace I realize in the face of chronic migraine pain.

By: Donna

Donna — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:22:45 +0000

My husband had facial x-rays about 50 years ago to see if they’d cure allergies. Now he has facial skin cancers which have to be removed about once a year. Medicine changes every year and, as someone else said, you’re going to die from something so no sense in worrying. I want teleporting for my super power.

By: Shea

Shea — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:02:07 +0000

@PastaQueen – I sure hope so! I’ve had a headache for about 3+ years now and it’s enough to drive a person insane.

BTW – I would totally take invisibility, though pain relief would also be an awesome superpower.

By: R Paine

R Paine — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:43:22 +0000

Unfortunately, X-Rays, ultraviolet rays, gamma rays–pretty much any kind of radiation, can and will give you cancer if you’re exposed to certain levels (doesn’t have to be much in this day and age). Look in any basic health textbook (Insel and Roth, Core Concepts i Health, for example), and even the pro-AMA, anti-alternative medicine texts will be very frank about this. The only group that doesn’t seem to know much about it is the AMA, which is funny considering its the cornerstone of much of their diagnostic technology. (Yes, I’m being sarcastic, “funny” it isn’t.) Personally, I believe this is one of the unspoken reasons the independent panel just downgraded the recommendations for mammograms. Mammograms (which are X-rays) have been known to cause cancer for decades. Decades. So much for “health” care.

By: Shady

Shady — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:15:27 +0000

@PastaQueen – Thanks for taking the time to clarify, PQ.

My comment wasn’t really clear. My understanding is that because it’s a first degree relative and because I’m a female, my risk is hypothesized to be twice that of the average population. My brothers (damn that Y chromosone) don’t appear to be at an increased risk.

I think too that I was trying to make a point that showed that I agreed with you. There is so much about everything but in particular medicine that everyday, there are going to be new discoveries.

And hopefully, for you, one of those will be a pill that will take your head ache away.

Happy holidays!

By: PastaQueen

PastaQueen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:38:13 +0000

@PastaQueen – I just double checked, and from what I read if you are a first degree relative (sister, parent, child) your risk is 1%-3%. That’s why I thought genetics didn’t matter, since my risk isn’t one degree away.

By: PastaQueen

PastaQueen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:56:12 +0000

@Shady – First off, I’m sorry about your father. However, as I understand it, MS is not genetic. I only know that because I have two aunts, one on both sides of my family with MS, so I was concerned about being at risk. From what I’ve read, they don’t think genes are a factor. I’m saying that not to be rude or to smack you down or anything, but just to let you know since it’s something pretty important that might ease your mind.

By: Shady

Shady — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:00:40 +0000

@PastaQueen – With all due respect, you have my compassion and empathy, because I have chronic pain issues too. But MS killed my father and because of that genetic connection, my risk of getting is doubled. So excuse me for being a little excited about this potentially life changing treatment.