Fraser - Health Update - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2025, 06:22:54 pm
content: As some forum members will know, I have been battling Myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) and Chronic fatigue since catching a virus in China in 2010. Whilst I have managed to recover enough to do some occasional part time work for my old employer and maintain my presence on this forum to help others who are interested in thermal imaging, sadly life has a way of chucking a spanner in the works ! In April of this year it was discovered that my Kidneys were not working properly and so medical investigations began. Long story short, after a lot of tests and scans my illness has now progressed to kidney failure (CKD) for reasons, as yet, unknown. As those with CKD will know, my life has now become very complicated. The medics continue to work to save at least my right kidney as the left one appears to already be too far gone for any recovery.On a lighter note, today I travelled to Northampton Hospital to have a special MAG3 Renogram. It is not thermal imaging related but it is an imaging technique so I will describe it here… I was injected with technetium-99m MAG3 (Tc-99m MAG3) which is a radioactive isotope tracer that has a half life of only 6 hours. My kidneys and associated pipework was then imaged over a 1 hour period using a Gamma Ray camera to show how my kidneys are performing. No surprises, the right kidney had some life in it, but the left side was completely dark with no activity at all. My medics will decide whether the left kidney has to be removed. My body is slightly radioactive for the next few daysNo I did not transform into the Hulk during the procedureWith this background it will be obvious why I have not been very active on this forum of late. I am still, trying to answer direct questions from forum members but rarely comment on posts and threads at the moment. Sadly the kidney issues have allowed my M.E to resurrect its ugly head so I have CFS. With luck and the skills of my medics, I hope to recover from my current illness and return to normal, helping members of this forum, where able. My current health has also prevented me completing my various thermal camera tests and reviews. They will be published as soon as I am well enough to do the work. If people need my help regarding thermal imaging topics, please feel free to message me or post on the forum and I will try to assist when able to do so, but please be patient.For fun only, I attach pictures of the MAG3 imager, an example of the Gamma Ray image produced by the patients kidneys (not mine) as they saturate with MAG3 tracer and a picture of my Geiger Counter measuring my pee ! 🤣 The Mini-Monitor 900 clicks like mad when near the peeMy wife was dead impressed that I had the kit to measure my radioactive pee….NOTThis recent change in my health is unexpected and unwelcome, but hopefully I will be able to return to normal function soon. Thank you to all those who have noticed my reduced presence on the forum and wrote to ask if I was OK. Thank you also to those kind hearted people who then donated to my Go Fund Me. Such is not expected, but very much appreciated !Fraser

author: richnormand
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2025, 09:13:26 pm
content: Best whishes for you to get well soon Fraser.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2025, 09:25:43 pm
content: Stay positive, it really helps.

author: aph375
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 15, 2025, 10:29:41 pm
content: Sorry to hear this Fraser.wishing you all the best

author: Maksvell Mejia
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 16, 2025, 06:40:39 am
content: Learned Much from your comments, best wishes to you Fraser

author: LMasterGame
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2025, 07:41:26 pm
content: I'm glad you eventually will recover. You're such an invaluable member of this forum.Get well soon.

author: dalittle
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2025 02:44:38 am
content: Get well soon mate, this is merely a minor embuggerance. You’ll be back to normal very soon! Maybe sans one kidney, but no worries, a Boeing 777 can easily fly on one engine and you can too.David

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2025 10:51:03 am
content: Get well soon to one of the forums most helpful members.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2025 11:04:46 am
content: Dalittle,I like your Boeing 777 analogyMy father worked for Rolls Royce Aero engines at Filton, Bristol, so gas turbine engines are “in my blood”.In my case, the left engine has flamed-out and will not restart and the right engine flamed out but has restarted with half of its LP compressor blades AWOL so it is not a happy engineThis 777 is trying to fly on half an engine at the moment. At this point in time I wish I was a good old rugged and relatively reliable DC3 Dakota rather than a complex 777 that is causing much head scratching amongst the “technicians”. The DC3 can be kept in the air by its techs with chewing gum, baling twine and a bit of wireBest Wishes to all on this forum and thank you for your kind messages. As the old saying goes “what does not kill you, makes you stronger”. You certainly appreciate life more when seriously ill !Fraser

author: amwales
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2025 11:11:16 am
content: Get well soon

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2025 11:25:23 am
content: Hey,I wish you nothing but the best. To let you know that your effort and knowledge helps other people - I am starting a research position next month that involves thermal imaging. So having all the forum activity to rely on enabled that.

author: Niall135
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2025 12:31:21 pm
content: Hope your health improves soon. I have great faith in the NHS and like us they like a challenge. Best wishes. N

author: DaJMasta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2025 06:57:27 pm
content: Wishing a smooth recovery and return to form. Good to find some interest and some jollity in an otherwise difficult situation, and those gamma ray cameras are something fancy.

author: RRtheone
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: «Reply #13 on:Todayat 11:54:46 am »
content: Hope you get better soon, you are a great help in this forum.

author: chilternview
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: «Reply #14 on:Todayat 05:45:14 pm »
content: Good luck with the treatment, Fraser. Hope it turns out well.