My cousin Alicia (Cheryl's cousin too) is doing her graduate studies at Queen's University at the Center for Neuroscience. She emailed me and asked if my children would be interested in having a brain scan done for a study that one of her co-researchers is doing. The university would pay them. Yes - they're interested!
Unfortunately, Sarah and Jonathan both had conflicting work schedules. But, Brittany was more than willing. Alicia wanted more than one 'volunteer', so we invited Brittany's friend Savannah to come along.
It was quite exciting for the girls. They were first taken into a room to go into a 'mock' mri machine to ensure that they wouldn't be frightened.
Here is Brittany in the mock machine.I was not able to take any pictures of the real machine because of the magnetic field in the room.
We were then shown the room where the patient is monitored and viewed while they are in the actual machine.
After everything was explained to them and all metal objects were removed we entered the room where the machine is. This mri machine costs between three and five million dollars!! It was flown from Germany to New York and then transported to Kingston. A special magnetic room was built for it and the mri was lifted into the room before the outside wall was added. This machine is only used for research.
The girls had to stay very still while in the mri machine. They were in the machine for between 90 and 120 minutes. They were a little stiff when they got out. There was a buzzer available to them to squeeze if they needed a break.
The girls had some cartoons to watch while the machine did the brain scan. This wasn't good for Brittany - she had to contain her usual hearty laugh so that she could stay still. She even squeezed the buzzer just to have a little laugh time.
After we were all done Brittany and Savannah were grinning from ear to ear. They were each paid $50 for their services. After getting paid, Savannah eagerly let them know that she would be available anytime they needed her. I think I would have too.
It was a long afternoon, but certainly not an everyday experience.
Rhonda Y
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Our Part for Science
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8 comments:
Well there you go the medical field has once again answered that never ending question that parents and teachers have asked for years..... Jr. High's do have a brain.
Jonathan wants to know where he can sign up...like his dad, he sees dollar sign$$$
So is this how we get these young ones to sit still...TWO HOURS???
Spend wisely girls.
Jen
This is sooooooo cool. So often it is for someone very sick and they can't enjoy the fantastic opportunity to see inside your own head. She will be the envy of all her friends, even if it's only for the $$. I am sure there will be plenty of more interesting opportunities in the future with a Neurosurgeon in the family. :o)
Hey - I just thought of this - If someone tells her she should have her head examined, she can say, "I already have!!"
Cheryl
What a cool learning experience, and to be able to get paid for it too!!!
A definite, unique March Break experience!!
This experience will make for a great speech idea.
Shari
Rhonda
I love the changes on your blog page. For us girls "over 45" the bigger print is easier to read....yikes I'm getting older...HELP!!
Shari
What a great opportunity.....
When I had an MRI done I was 8 months pregnant. (no cartoons, all that time on your back and no $$$$):(
Glad it was a postive experience for the girls.
too funny!
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