Catching Some X Rays

This week I went for my annual chest x-ray which has followed closely on from a renal ultrasound and another scan of my bladder area. Just prior to this in April I was sent for a mammogram on some breast lumps which proved to be cysts after they'd also done an ultrasound of my chest area to be sure.
Before this latest x-ray I answered a few brief questions about my medical history and mentioned I have a CT scan in just over a week. This meant the radiographer had to seek advice on whether the x-ray could take place as they don't want to give me too much radiation. I'm already starting to wonder whether I've got any superpowers (apart from glowing in the dark).
The go ahead was given and another couple of inside out pics were taken of my lungs and chest area ready to be fast tracked to my GP before the CT scan date. Once that is done I don't think there'll be any more places on me (or in me) that haven't had an image taken.
Having spent the weekend before last celebrating my eldest daughter's wedding, I'm seeing more and more photo's of me pop up on social media - note to self  'I need to practice my being caught unaware face...' Thank goodness hospital x-ray departments don't have a Facebook page...I don't think my abdomen would attract many likes! I would also worry the radiographer may mention the state of my fast fading spray tan as once I'd got into the hospital gown I realised it looked like I hadn't washed for the past 10 years. Another note to self, 'spray tans look great on wedding photo's but raise some eyebrows when you're in the nip being scanned!'
So now it's just a trip through the ct tunnel for the scan I should have had over 12 months ago if I hadn't been wrongly discharged by the hospital. This will be the 6th x-ray/scan in 2 months, talk about making up for lost time. In fact only this morning I had another call from the hospital asking me to return for a renal ultrasound but when I mentioned I'm due a CT they said that would be ok.
I suppose I should be grateful for this burst of interest in my chest and abdomen, I mean now I'm really back on the radar and being taken care of. However, there's always the fear that they may spy something unpleasant which makes oblivion more appealing. The other concern I have is the CT scan itself, my first encounter with this machine wasn't good as I'd been rushed in as an emergency in great pain. Even sitting outside the scan room watching the warning lights flash off and on fills me with dread, it's like the all seeing eye.
I'll keep this blog updated as results come in, so far so good.

For the Record

Today is the anniversary of my fathers death, he died 36 years ago very suddenly of a heart attack. I remember very little about him as I was only 12 at the time, I never had a 'grown up' conversation with him so don't feel like I know the real him.
There are so many questions I'd ask him, so much I'd like to find out but right now there's a very pressing question I need answering. 'What was wrong with your kidney's?'
The little I do know is that my Dad had problems with his kidneys, he had been hospitalised while still a young man and as he grew older suffered terribly with kidney stones. Family members know a little about his condition but nothing conclusive and so today I approached the NHS records office.
After my 3rd phone call I was put through to someone who said that his medical files would have been destroyed after 25 years, no joy there then. I've no one else left to ask and therefore may never know exactly what kidney issues he had.
My own medical records show that in 1975 and '77 I had procedures to investigate my kidney function by having  pyelography (Google it...it wasn't enjoyable at aged 10). Next to this information is written 'Kidney Disease', no explanation just those 2 words.
All of this I told to my consultant when admitted originally, all of it was dismissed without investigation.
I have another referral coming up, this time it'll be to the QE Hospital, Birmingham, I was hoping I'd be able to share some family history at this appointment. My biggest concern is that if there are any hereditary factors then my two daughters may also share this risk.
Without medical record evidence though I think I've reached a dead end, literally.