still struggling, don't know what to do.

[overmyhead]

I started a couple of threads couple of weeks ago - 6 year old ds had a barium swallow/meal last month after private paediatrician told me I had no choice as malrotation suspected. He had a much longer radiation exposure as no one told my husband it was taking too long due to my son having difficulty swallowing the barium until after the procedure. He had about twice the average dose for a 15 year old [hpa figures] An NHS surgeon later told us the first x ray was completely normal and he should not have had the procedure. It was the equivalent of 30 abdominal x rays.

I am so angry with myself for allowing it to happen,and so worried he is going to get cancer now as a result. I'm having real trouble moving forward - trying to function normally for the children, but just so angry and upset and worried for the future. I am seeing a counsellor but it isn't really helping one hour a week at the moment.

I look at my son and I feel I've given him cancer. Really don't know what to do.

bump

Iam sure your son will be fine.
The hospital were at fault not you.

I really feel for you we all worry about our dc so much .
I hope the counsellor you are seeing will be able to help you.

Please try to move on and enjoy your family
thats what Im trying to do.
My youngest dd has development delay and has got to have MRI scan soon Im dreading it.

I really wish you and your family well and hope you get over this soon.xx

MRI scans have no radiation so that's a good thing happy.

You know, a hospital is unlikely to have given him a dangerous dose of radiation in this no-win-no-fee culture. They would be too worried about being sued in the future if complications developed. You'll find the recommended doses are a small fraction of the ultimate 'safe dose' to allow for mistakes. The radiographer would have stopped the procedure if they felt it was taking too long. While it's not a great idea to have 30 abdominal x-rays daily, a one off probably won't be a problem - some people have a lot more than that in their lifetime and don't develop cancer.

'Maximum doses' often vary according to the situation. For example, my GP would only prescribe my DD 2 puffs of Ventolin every 4 hours. The doctor at the hospital told me to give her 10 puffs every 4 hours. When she was admitted, she had the equivalent of 10 puffs every hour!

The problem is you can never prove that a cancer was caused by that procedure. So they know it would be very difficult to sue them.

But still I reiterate:
You'll find the recommended doses are a small fraction of the ultimate 'safe dose' to allow for mistakes. The radiographer would have stopped the procedure if they felt it was taking too long. While it's not a great idea to have 30 abdominal x-rays daily, a one off probably won't be a problem - some people have a lot more than that in their lifetime and don't develop cancer.

And also, 1 in 3 people develop some form of cancer. Even if, god forbid, he did go on to develop cancer in later life, it's highly unlikely to be from the radiation and FAR more likely to be 'one of those things'.