Hi all,

   So, I apologise for the eccentric nature of this post, but I just had to ask...  Has anyone, or does anyone know of anyone who has, had her removed testicles preserved in alcohol, formaldehyde or some other preservative solution to take home?  I am interested in keeping mine, both as a medical curios and also because I feel like I need to know where they are so as to not feel like I'm missing something.

   I'm honestly afraid to ask the clinic for fear they will think I'm crazy.  I'm 98 days away and I don't want to mess this up by asking!  But I'd hate to get there only to have them say "Oh, yes we could have if only you'd asked!"

   Since I'm getting it done in Thailand, presumably I'd need to also fill out a form for transporting medical specimens back to Australia... but that seems more achievable.

   Any ideas?

   cheers

   -Kell

Oh, just to note - I have a position in a biomedical research group, so my interest in having the specimen is not entirely out of nowhere.

Great question, I have always wanted to make keychains out of mine lol.

Normally they examine the tissue for signs of cancer or there irregularities so anything that's left might be pretty cut up. Because of this, they aren't likely to give you the tissue back with out a good reason.

Well....you could take like a rubbermaid container with you into surgery.

Julia: I've actually done my homework.  I've obtained some borosilicate glass specimin jars with PTFE seals on the lids - so far as I can tell, this is what all the cool professional science kids are all preserving specimins in.  I've also got a small amount of Formalin - 10% buffered formaldehyde solution.

Curiously, as long as the sample is 'fixed' properly with the right chemicals, I can take it through Australian customs (which has some of the most stringent biosecurity rules anywhere).

Primer on sample preservation: http://www.loris-conservation.org/database/wild_survey/necropsy/Collections.html
Standards in the care of wet collections: http://conservation.myspecies.info/node/33
Australian import laws (search for "Preserved and fixed animal and human specimens"): https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/BiconWeb4.0

So yeah - I'll let you all know how I go and if I'm successful.  The only thing that worries me is if the surgeon just says "Nope" and that's it. :/

Quick update - SUCCESS!  Got mine back through customs.  Was far easier than I expected... the surgeon's note ended up being enough.

Ummm Congratulations I guess? LOL if that is really what you wanted.

They are welcome to grind mine up in a garbage disposal if I ever do get them cut off.

Keep them over there,
  Laurie

Quote from: kellb on January 12, 2018, 09:24:38 PM
Quick update - SUCCESS!  Got mine back through customs.  Was far easier than I expected... the surgeon's note ended up being enough.

As for airline travel, this brings the term, "carry on" to a whole new level.
Moni

Wow, and here when I saw the Thread Title I thought it was another Foodie Thread

This makes me feel a bit icky, but to each his own!

Quote from: Ellement_of_Freedom on January 13, 2018, 06:52:25 PM
This makes me feel a bit icky, but to each his own!

I'm sorry my comment made you feel icky.

Quote from: Cali on January 13, 2018, 06:55:13 PM
I'm sorry my comment made you feel icky.

If it was your comment that made me feel icky I'd have quoted you.

Okie Dokie

Airport security: "So you want to use your 100ml liquid allowance for what??"

Maybe I'm just in a dark mood but the idea of mailing one to my father and the other to my mother kind of appeals right now...

Or fix them and get them encased in acryllic and then send them.  You know, keep it classy and all.

Quote from: Colleen_definitely on January 21, 2018, 09:48:39 AM
Maybe I'm just in a dark mood but the idea of mailing one to my father and the other to my mother kind of appeals right now...

Or fix them and get them encased in acryllic and then send them.  You know, keep it classy and all.

Or if you are REALLY, REALLY KEWL, HAVE THEM encased in acryllic and turned into bobbing earrings!!!!!!