
<b>Take over the scans yourself.</b>

"My oncologist informed me that the chemo didn't work, but today I found out the radiologist is missing my September scans. So instead of comparing my November scans to ones I had in September, the radiologist was comparing them to scans I had in June. It seems my oncologist had the September scans in his office and didn't tell anyone."
 "I brought the September scans over to the radiologist tonight, and asked him to reread the scans based on the new info. So maybe the chemotherapy DID do something? I have my fingers crossed! I really feel so much better! Cathie "

Legally, besides the information in the report, <b>the scans THEMSELVES also belong to you.</b>  It would be a good idea to get control of their physical existence.  You will take better care of them than any institution or any other person.

Often, the radiology department themselves will give you the scans and the report after they have been read.  Sometimes this will be on "loan", but the "loan" is never followed up.  

It is a good rule of thumb to take physical possession of the scans yourself.  Get an artist's portfolio to carry them in, with protection from inclement weather.  Eventually, as the scans accumulate, one of those portable aluminum luggage racks on wheels will move them around easily.  

<b>COPIES</b> 

can be made at the same time as the original scans are done.  This is useful if there is a possibility that you will be sending the scans to surgeons or oncologists or radiation facilities across the country for their opinions on treatment.  Some departments can also copy CT scan sheets later on, as well. <b> Ask how much copying would cost.</b>  You might only need to copy a certain part of the scan if the problem is localized.

<b>SCANS ON CD</b> 

are the wave of the future.  Currently, some of the facilities doing CT scans can put these scans on Compact Disc [CDs].  It needs special software to read, which is usually placed on the CD as well as the images and the report. Having your scans on CD allows for making multiple copies of the scans by having someone copy the CDs, and for sending them to many people for consultation, cheaply.  

Some facilities also have the equipment to take regular Xray sheets of scans, and convert them to digital format and put them on the computer database at the institution, as well as creating a CD of the scan for you.  This allows them to keep a full record of your scans, and allows you to hold three years worth of scans in one hand.  CDs are much easier to handle than the heavy Xray CT scan films. The software to view the images on the CD is actually ON the CD, and they self-play.  
