Seen all the bright shiny adds for the next big thing Bucky Balls on the internet?

Bright, shiny, colourful, magnetic and the must have product.

Whatever you do....don't buy the  bastards!

My friend Bob's grandson ingested two of these freaking disasters recently.

No surgeon in Australia will operate on him to get them out! These bastards go ballistic inside the human body, their properties are highly dangerous, so dangerous that these  bastards could kill you stone dead.

They are advertised for adults, but try keeping bastards  little potential killers away from kids.

My friend's grandson's life hangs in the balance whilst everyone up to the Head Professor of Westmead children's hospital scratches their collective heads because they don't know how to get the bastards out, which have now lodged in the child's bowel. The magnetic powers of ther balls make them like laying a minefield inside the human body.

Tell everyone  you know ditch them and ditch them, yesterday.

Did they try sticking him in an MRI machine?

Freediver, one of the problems is that stuff in the bowel has calcified around them, it is a parents' worst nightmare. All the surgeons are too scared to operate because of risk of litigation if they perforate the bowel. Welcome to Oz medicine circa 2012! Meantime the kid has a time bomb ticking away.

Did the two bits travel together? Or are they now stuck together magnetically but from different parts of the colon? Is there anything in particular about these things that make them get stuck? Kids eat random stuff all the time and it usually passes through, though it does make the doctors very nervous.

My father has some very powerful magnets encased in plastic ribbing that they feed to horses to help them pass metal objects they have swallowed.

If you were very gentle about it you might be able to coax them through with a magnetic field, but you would need a large one that you could keep far away from the body.

Freediver can't give you more at this stage, however I can say that over 200 kids world wide have had catastrophic results from swallowing these damned things.

OK Freediver I have some more information. The balls are separated into two separate loops in the bowel. The chemicals administered have now dispensed the coating that formed around the balls. The medics are hoping that they may now pass through the bowel.

If this fails it means a 5 hour operation and a distinct risk that the bowel could be perforated, a very serious aspect.

The dark side of this is that the properties of the balls are now exposed to the body  and this is a great potential threat to the human body from whatever these crap products are made from.

This is them since baron didnt link

http://www.getbuckyballs.com/

They look interesting and very irresistible to kids.

SOB

Thanks for the leg up Spot of Borg even if there was a spike attached. The main thing is to keep these EXTREMELY DANGEROUS products aways from the kids.

I can see why a little kid would put those things in their mouth. They look just like lollies.

Thanks for the warning red baron, and I hope some amazing doctor can work out a way to get these thins out of your friends g/son and all the other kids who have swallowed them.

I wouldn't have anything like that in my house if their were small children around, but then again you don't realise the dangers until it's too late.

red baron wrote on Aug 6^th, 2012 at 6:45am:

Thanks for the leg up Spot of Borg even if there was a spike attached. The main thing is to keep these EXTREMELY DANGEROUS products aways from the kids.

Sorry didnt mean to be spiky

SOB

No worries Spot of Borg. We are on the same page, its all about the kids.

More information on this nasty product. Once the balls get in the body, the body's acids break down the balls surface and toxic materials that the balls are made of enter the body's system.

I've seen them in the shop. They are really cool. I think you can get them at national geographic.

They seem from the website they are made from rare earths - highly toxic.

HUGE UPDATE on this matter.

Channel 7 is interviewing the victim's mother today and it is scheduled  to be on 7 National News tonight.

Doctors not involved with this have told my friend that the boy involved will die unless they are removed within 7 days because of the toxicity leaking into his body.

And no freaking surgeon in Australia is willing to pick up a knife and save this, kid's life because  they are sh.t scared of litigation.

This is a national disgrace and shows what a total shambles our medical system has degenerated into.

Get the kid to Thailand or some Asian country, they don't have the same red tape and litigation hysteria that we have. I would be ringing major hospitals in other countries for help.

This is a tragedy that needs urgent action TODAY!


Surely a skilled surgeon can try to do something, at least remove the magnetic balls, don't know as far as the spreading toxicity goes.

It's been well over a week already.

I hope it all works out well in the end.

Think they are made out of this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodymium

Are they still magnetic?
Couldn't you coax them down the bowel with another magnet to a point where they will get naturally expelled?

Or even flush them out with water?

Eta:
Or get him to digest a non corrosive magnetic element which could collect the balls on the way out

red baron wrote on Aug 9^th, 2012 at 9:49am:

HUGE UPDATE on this matter. Channel 7 is interviewing the victim's mother today and it is scheduled  to be on 7 National News tonight. Doctors not involved with this have told my friend that the boy involved will die unless they are removed within 7 days because of the toxicity leaking into his body. And no freaking surgeon in Australia is willing to pick up a knife and save this, kid's life because  they are sh.t scared of litigation. This is a national disgrace and shows what a total shambles our medical system has degenerated into.

It is easy enough for doctors to put together the paperwork for you to sign your life away. I suspect it is more about what is actually best for the kids.

Today Tonight are parasites.

freediver wrote on Aug 9^th, 2012 at 10:50am:

red baron wrote on Aug 9th, 2012 at 9:49am: HUGE UPDATE on this matter. Channel 7 is interviewing the victim's mother today and it is scheduled  to be on 7 National News tonight. Doctors not involved with this have told my friend that the boy involved will die unless they are removed within 7 days because of the toxicity leaking into his body. And no freaking surgeon in Australia is willing to pick up a knife and save this, kid's life because  they are sh.t scared of litigation. This is a national disgrace and shows what a total shambles our medical system has degenerated into. It is easy enough for doctors to put together the paperwork for you to sign your life away. I suspect it is more about what is actually best for the kids. Today Tonight are parasites.

Yeah I would be weary of TT, they say one thing when filming and broadcast something completely different..

Dear Saul Attorney at Law  Its going to be on the National News not Today Tonight.

See what happens when you don't read the fine print. Remind me not to instruct you.

red baron wrote on Aug 9^th, 2012 at 11:57am:

Dear Saul Attorney at Law  Its going to be on the National News not Today Tonight. See what happens when you don't read the fine print. Remind me not to instruct you.

Where did I say it was going to be on TT?

So it wasn't you who said, 'I'd be wary of TT" Your words counsellor, you IMPLIED it.

What do you call ten lawyers at the bottom of the ocean - a good start!

red baron wrote on Aug 9^th, 2012 at 12:09pm:

So it wasn't you who said, 'I'd be wary of TT" Your words counsellor, you IMPLIED it. What do you call ten lawyers at the bottom of the ocean - a good start!

In response to what fd said, nothing to do with what you said.

Sorry for some reason I thought it was TT. Still, be wary of any journalists. The medical fraternity may not want to go anywhere near the kid if the media starts misrepresenting what is happening.

The thing I find curious here is that although Buckyballs and Buckycubes are the subject of the first stop-sale ban issued by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission in 11 years, we haven't heard anything from their equivalents in Australia.  It could be, of course, that they have been on sale in the US for some time but have only just arrived in Australia though.  The various state Fair Trading offices (in particular New South Wales) seem to jump at every chance of reporting "killer toys" or anything remotely dangerous to children - if only because it gives them good publicity.

UPDATE: Westmead Hospital caved when the 7  National News team arrived to interview them. The boy should be getting prepped for surgery as I write this.

As far as I am aware 7 still intend to run the story on tonight's news.

IT SHOULD NEVER EVER HAVE COME TO THIS!!!!!!!


PS Oh and Saul do us all a favour and take a powder would you. Go chase an ambulance or something.

red baron wrote on Aug 9^th, 2012 at 4:45pm:

UPDATE: Westmead Hospital caved when the 7  National News team arrived to interview them. The boy should be getting prepped for surgery as I write this. As far as I am aware 7 still intend to run the story on tonight's news. IT SHOULD NEVER EVER HAVE COME TO THIS!!!!!!! PS Oh and Saul do us all a favour and take a powder would you. Go chase an ambulance or something.

That's good news. See what a it of adverse media attention can get? I hope the surgeon can get them out and treat him for the toxins in his system.

So they could have operated on the day he swallowed them? saving him and his parents from days and nights of distress.

I am sending a warning to my son and daughter in law, forewarned is forearmed.

This whole thing is a very sad tale..I hope the young fella is ok Red

Red baron, keep us up to date. Let us know how the op went etc......thanks

Guys, Zachary is being operated on tonight by the foremost female surgeon in matters of the bowel and gastric etc.
What 7 News didn't say was the outrageous manner in which he has been treated. I also omitted that Zachary is autistic, he is highly intelligent but autism brings its challenges. He saw the bright shiny magnetic balls and the rest is history.

Finally...finally, politicians are getting involved. These Bucky Balls pose an enormous risk to every household which has them and kids in it.

Throw the bloody things to the s....house.

red baron wrote on Aug 9^th, 2012 at 7:29pm:

Guys, Zachary is being operated on tonight by the foremost female surgeon in matters of the bowel and gastric etc. What 7 News didn't say was the outrageous manner in which he has been treated. I also omitted that Zachary is autistic, he is highly intelligent but autism brings its challenges. He saw the bright shiny magnetic balls and the rest is history. Finally...finally, politicians are getting involved. These Bucky Balls pose an enormous risk to every household which has them and kids in it. Throw the bloody things to the s....house.

You don't care about anyone elses kids so............................  ::)

Hey, Red! Best wishes from me & mine to Zachary & his.

Hope all goes well. Our thoughts are with him.



**The trouble with kids, is they'll put absolutely ANYTHING in
their mouths, EXCEPT the food you plate-up for them....**

I am relieved and happy to report that after 3 hours of surgery the dreaded Bucky Balls were removed from Zachary, by a female surgeon (sorry I haven't got the name) at Westmead Children's' Hospital, the operation ewas completed at 1.45am thids morning.

At one stage she lost them but recovered the situation then moved them into the appendix where she was successful in their removal. They had turned black and another few days the toxicity would have leaked into Zachary and most probably killed him.

Thank God, thank God they are out

ps Death Rides a Horse....I care about the welfare of all  the children..what did life do to you to make you so very bitter?

red baron wrote on Aug 10^th, 2012 at 6:40am:

I am relieved and happy to report that after 3 hours of surgery the dreaded Bucky Balls were removed from Zachary, by a female surgeon (sorry I haven't got the name) at Westmead Children's' Hospital, the operation ewas completed at 1.45am thids morning. At one stage she lost them but recovered the situation then moved them into the appendix where she was successful in their removal. They had turned black and another few days the toxicity would have leaked into Zachary and most probably killed him. Thank God, thank God they are out ps Death Rides a Horse....I care about the welfare of all  the children..what did life do to you to make you so very bitter?

Well thats very good news. Do you think the balls should be banned altogether or just restricted to adults?

I have been to westmead childrens hospital when it opened and i knew a guy whose child was having a liver transplant there. I think it was the first in australia or something. I do wonder why you keep pointing out that the surgeon was female though - is there a significance?

SOB

Great outcome to a very harrowing experience.

Did any of the toxins get into his system red baron?

Is he completely in the clear now?

Thaks for the support, too early to call. Could be years before we know. Let's hope little Zachary is out of harm's way for good.

I think the balls should be banned, totally banned. Even if they were restricted to adults, children will always find a way with something bright and shiny. And in the end what do they contiribute? They are only a shiny diversion from the monotony of life.

They should be renamed the Devil Balls for the danger that lurks within them.

red baron wrote on Aug 10^th, 2012 at 7:11am:

Thaks for the support, too early to call. Could be years before we know. Let's hope little Zachary is out of harm's way for good. I think the balls should be banned, totally banned. Even if they were restricted to aults, children will always find a way with something bright and shiny. And in the end what do they contiribute? They are only a shiny diversion from the monotony of life. They should be renamed the Devil Balls for the danger that lurks within them.

Sorry I prolly worded that wrong. I meant to ask if you think they will be totally banned or restricted.

SOB

Update 6.45PM Friday 10 August, Zachary continues to make good progress.

Spot of Borg, you have been terrific through this, even though we have been on the other side of the  fence more than I care to remember, Spot of Borg, you have a good heart friend.

You have my respect.

Shane B wrote on Aug 6^th, 2012 at 8:02pm:

They seem from the website they are made from rare earths - highly toxic.

Not all rare earths are even toxic. Cerium Oxide for example is a major ingredient in dental ceramics. It's pretty harmless stuff.


The magnets in question are made from Neodymium Iron and Boron. Neodymium is quite a reactive metal but it's not particularly toxic. Even though Nd magnets are used in surgery, it's definitely not a good situation when they are leaching like that. The biggest danger is perforation. The toxicity is a secondary hazard if it's any consolation. Fortunately nothing in the magnets is accumulative.

I hope all goes well for your grandson, Red Baron. 

Im constantly amazed at just what crap we allow to be sold in this country and Reds experience just shows that an easily avoided tragedy can be just around the corner.
Im glad the young fella has finally had these things removed and fingers crossed that no permanent damage has been done.
This sounds like its been a harrowing experience for all concerned so all the best to everyone involved.

Just a slight correction guys, the boy is the Grandson of my best friend, however thanks for all the supportive comments. My mate Bob asked me to pass on his thanks to you all.

Zachary continues to make progress albeit painful progress, the cut was made near the diaphram, so its hard for his breathing. The female surgeon incredibly worked then balls out of the bowel and into the appendix then removed the appendix with them inside. What wonderful people are out there.

red baron wrote on Aug 13^th, 2012 at 5:45pm:

Zachary continues to make progress albeit painful progress, the cut was made near the diaphram, so its hard for his breathing. The female surgeon incredibly worked then balls out of the bowel and into the appendix then removed the appendix with them inside. What wonderful people are out there.

Great news, poor little boy having to go through that for the sake of useless adult toys.

The surgeon is a hero, as most surgeons are (except Dr Patel)

I hope the balls have been safely discarded. Can you burn them? How do you dispose of those wretched things? I'd hate to think the tip cats end up eating them.

how are they useless pansi what if people thought they were fun

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Aug 13^th, 2012 at 6:02pm:

[quote author=6176774C7172617C7D222B130 link=1344157871/42#42 date=1344843944]I'd hate to think the tip cats end up eating them.

Glad  all is well. Saw one story where a kid just shite 'em out.

Might get some for the tip though.

<<Might get some for the tip though.>>
.......................................................

As you wish, I wouldn't have them in my home though.

They look like the perfect size for use on tip cats. Maybe they aren't so useless after all.

freediver wrote on Aug 13^th, 2012 at 9:16pm:

They look like the perfect size for use on tip cats. Maybe they aren't so useless after all.

Luckily kats are smarter than that. So you would prefer to torture the poor things?

SOB

I see the same people that are anti stray cats at the garbage dump are anti homeless humans of the world.

I wonder what the good psychiatrist would make of that?

I never completely trust people who don't like animals, there's usually something 'icky' about them.

And don't come looking for me to poison my dog, he'll eat you alive.

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Aug 14^th, 2012 at 6:53am:

freediver wrote on Aug 13th, 2012 at 9:16pm: They look like the perfect size for use on tip cats. Maybe they aren't so useless after all. Luckily kats are smarter than that. So you would prefer to torture the poor things? SOB

Like I already told you spot, I drop them off at the pound so they can find a loving home for them. Cats are easy to catch, and certainly not smart enough to avoid eating projectile bucky balls.

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Aug 14^th, 2012 at 7:08am:

I see the same people that are anti stray cats at the garbage dump are anti homeless humans of the world. I wonder what the good psychiatrist would make of that? I never completely trust people who don't like animals, there's usually something 'icky' about them. And don't come looking for me to poison my dog, he'll eat you alive.

I'm anti cats in general unless they can be properly restrained and I support homeless people?

Its the majority of cat owners who don't actually care about animals, they may claim too but I can assure you it is themselves they really care about. They are happy for native animals to suffer as long as they have their cat.....

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Aug 9^th, 2012 at 7:31pm:

red baron wrote on Aug 9th, 2012 at 7:29pm: Guys, Zachary is being operated on tonight by the foremost female surgeon in matters of the bowel and gastric etc. What 7 News didn't say was the outrageous manner in which he has been treated. I also omitted that Zachary is autistic, he is highly intelligent but autism brings its challenges. He saw the bright shiny magnetic balls and the rest is history. Finally...finally, politicians are getting involved. These Bucky Balls pose an enormous risk to every household which has them and kids in it. Throw the bloody things to the s....house. You don't care about anyone elses kids so............................  ::)

Great point