Postby Lee » Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:15 pm
I had wires holding my skull together from my first brain surgery 20+ years ago, that never set off any alarms. My neurosurgeon removed them on my last surgery and replaced them with titanium screws. My husband had to get a titanium elbow after a motorcycle accident. I asked the surgeon about titanium setting off security alarms, surgeon it should not happen. I asked if we should carry cards. Surgeon said cards were too easy to forge, if hubby or I do set off some alarm, show the security people the scars, it's hard to fake a scar.
These security people do run into these problems all the time. A few years back I left my ostomy scissors in my luggage I was taking on the plane with me, and it did attract security's attention. Once they realized what these scissors were for (ostomy purpose), security sent me to an area to mail my scissors home, and gave me a special pass to get back with my family without waiting in line again to go thru security again. I had to go thru the detectors again I just didn't have to wait in line to do it. I would have shown them my ostomy to get those scissors back. Now I believe it is O.K. to bring certain scissors on the plane, but I will continue to leave them at home, safe. If there is an issue (I will be on a plane next month), I honestly have no qualms showing security or anybody my ostomy. I have educated many people about colon cancer, ostomy, etc. More than once a new Dr will pick my brain regarding my ostomy.
Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!