NEEDED TIPS FOR RADIOACTIVE IODINE TREATMENT ASAP!

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Permalink Reply by Jenny M on October 28, 2008 at 4:32pm

Wow,

It must be powerful stuff. Anytime I did radioactive anything, was sugar, for a pet scan, and I got an injection at the hospital, sat in a room alone for 45 minutes, and then the tech scanned me.

I was never told to stay away from people.

I think you are suppose to wipe the toilet after you use it, flush twice, etc, etc, but its kind of hard to seclude yourself as a parent.

Is it possible you can wear surgical gloves when you get home, as to not expose them to harmful contact???

Jenny M

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Moore on October 28, 2008 at 5:16pm

I am gonna do the glove thing (my hubby is an EMT so he can provide that), but yeah, I cannot hug, kiss, touch anyone or anything without anti-bacterializing it for a couple days. I just had my surgery two weeks ago. I have malignant thyroid cancer with matasteses to my lymph nodes. They removed my whole thyroid, one parathyroid and 38 lymph nodes, 13 which tested positive for cancer. So I guess this next step is the iodine.

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Permalink Reply by Jenny M on October 28, 2008 at 5:41pm

Oh good luck to you. I think I do recall the iodine thing, but I was injected just before surgery, and then was recovering in the hospital for two days. I don't remember much about the hospital stay or surgery..... Morphine, the drug of choice if you want to forget :)

I hope it all works out, its so hard not to hug and kiss our precious little ones.

I'll be praying for you,

Jenny

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Permalink Reply by Jen B on October 28, 2008 at 5:46pm

Like Jenny, I was injected in the hospital, then an hour later went right to surgery. I was told to stay away from small children and pregnant women for at least 24 hours. I was told that the body takes less than 5 hours to flush it all out, but I don't think I had exactly the same thing as you are having.

I think you should just tell the entire family that you will be quarantined in your bedroom for 24 hours and just stay there for the allotted time while hubby brings nosh back and forth.

I'm thinking about you as you get past this. You will, you will!

Love, Jen B.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra on October 28, 2008 at 5:46pm

I seem to remember Jane A as having had this - perhaps you could leave a message on her page!

http://my.crazysexylife.com/profile/JaneAdamick

I hope this is helpful for you.

hugs,
Sandra

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Permalink Reply by althea on October 28, 2008 at 6:59pm

I've never heard of precautions like that. Is it because you are at increased risk or your children? If it's for your own protection, I think that would make sense, with all the lymph nodes you lost.

I remember the nurses used to always put on a face mask when they'd access my port for chemo treatments. I couldn't figure out why they didn't put on protective eyewear also. I was assuming the face mask was to protect the nurse against the risk of getting aids, in which case they really should be wearing eye protection also. Turns out, the precaution was for the patient and intended to reduce exposure of germs coming from the nurse into the injection site.

I think it would be helpful to quiz them about the rationale behind the advice. They had me scared to pieces during chemo that I'd get infections and die if I so much as got a hangnail. I've had hangnails all my life and I'm still here to talk about it. They have to come up with advice that addresses every single patient to cross their threshhold. It's up to you to intuit what's pertinent for you.

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Permalink Reply by Laurie on October 28, 2008 at 9:32pm

Dear Lisa,
I have had 2 tests on my thyroid that involved the radiation iodine pill........when you get there, you will find
that the rad signs are all over the place, the door is very heavy, and the techs will be wearing protective gear.
they handed me, my pill, in a cup that was then placed in a rad refuse container. They took pics early am and then I had to come back later for another uptake scan. I would say, take a look around you, ask the techs and see what they say, and go from there. I think keeping away from all foods, even the kitchen area, bathrooms, etc anywhere the kids and food might go, would be smart to stay away from. I never saw myself glow in the dark, I was waiting for it :) Go with your gut feeling about exposure to all. Let us know how it goes!
My prayers are with you and your family,
Peace and hugs,
Laurie

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Permalink Reply by Parisa on October 28, 2008 at 11:31pm

Dear Lisa,

Although I am believe in using the radio active and or chemo methods as a last resort, I do understand and respect your decision of this treatment. There are a couple of things you can do to minimize the transfer of the radiation to your kids. I'm a mother of three small children so I know it is impossible to stay away from them.

One thing you can do that is very easy is to drink cali tea and to give it to your kids as well. This is a tea that is completely food based, highly concentrated food herbs (non-medicinal and therefore safe for even a newborn baby) and contains living enzymes. It does the following to name a few:

1. leaches out heavy metals
2. breaks up cysts
3. promotes deep tissue cleansing
4*. neutralizes free radicals
5. Increases liver function
6. dissolves arthritic deposits
7. breaks down plaque in hardened arteries
8. strengthens digestion
9. reduces cholesterol
10. Increases energy and mental clarity
11. stimulates mental clarity
As you know praying and meditation go hand in hand with all of the physical things we can do to improve our health.
I wish you all the best. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Warmest Regards
Parisa
www.rawfoodmama.com
parisa@rawfoodmama.com

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Permalink Reply by Lauren a.k.a Lau on October 29, 2008 at 7:55am

I just recently had the RAI treatment. (Mine was in liquid form.)

It really depends on how much you are getting. I only got 75 mCi

I was told to avoid people for a day, flush twice, launder my bedding and clothes everyday for 3 days and avoid children and pets for 2 weeks...

This is the list I got from the hospital. They were VERY helpful.

Outpatient Instructions Following Administration of (I-131)

Patient Name: Lauren Date Administered :6/4/08 Activity Administered : 75 mCi

You must follow these precautionary measures:


Instructions:
1. Sleep in a separate bed / Change bed sheets daily to prevent recontamination. 3 days

2. Minimize time spent and maximize your distance when around pregnant woman and children. 6 days

3. Minimize time spent holding or very close contact with small children to less than 1 hour per day 6 days

4. Minimize time spent in close contact (less than 6 feet) with others. 5 days


5. Do not travel on a long car trip with others (or if travel time is expected to exceed 2 hours). 5 days


6. Do not travel by commercial airline (avoid assigned seating) 5 days

7. Delay return to work 3days


Special Instructions:

In the rare chance that you should vomit within 2 hours of receiving therapy, use
paper towels to soak up the material and flush it down the toilet. Try not to spread
the material around, use a blotting motion rather than wide sweeping motions.
Wash your hands. Inform your physician as soon as is possible.

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Permalink Reply by Rebba on October 29, 2008 at 11:02am

Hi Lisa!Well let me say that I had thryroid cancer.The way they chose to make sure it was all gone after my thyroid was removed was radioactive iodine liquid.Not the pill form.I had to stay away from everyone for one whole week. I had to keep my own utensils and etc.I would say they should stay away from you within arms length.My girls are grown, but i hve two dogs and a cat. so,lol they said the pets would be ok.Take care be well!

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Permalink Reply by Rebba on October 29, 2008 at 11:04am

By the way everything that Lauren said above was to be followed by me as well.I had the highest does they could give me.Which was 130.

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