Scared and confused.....
Comments
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Thank you for your support everyonebowlwarej said:Hello!
I had 2 RAI treatments with my 2 year old (he's now 4) in the house, and it was a little scary. Although we made it through it just fine, it was hard to stay isolated when he knew I was in my room and couldn't come in to see me. Just make sure that no one uses the bathroom after you or sleeps by you, doesn't use the same cup etc. If you don't want to throw all linens away, just make sure you wash everything seperately from everyone else's.
Do you have more than one bathroom? If so, just use one and everyone else use the other for a week or so. If not, bleach the toilet and whatever you touch as soon as you are done. Mostly the stool because your body will be epmtying the RAI out that way.
I wasn't sure I wanted to go through the RAI because of the risk factors for my boy, but I knew if I didn't, the chance of the cancer returning were higher. Mine already recurred once, but after the 2nd RAI I've been fine. My son hasn't had any effects of my treatment so far either, so I am very grateful.
I know what you mean about putting your loved ones through everything! I felt the same way....but I also knew they understood that it was something I had to do, and they were there for me all the way. Hang in there! It will get better! Let us know what you decide!
Hello All,
Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot. Today, I'm feeling much better physically and mentally. I don't have children of my own, I have a 2 year old niece who is very close to me. Every morning, she runs to my room with her doctor bag. So that's what I'm most concerned about.
My parents, extended family and friends have been with me through thick and thin, never wavering; multiple surgeries and the whole lot. So, I'm eternally grateful for that. My mom has a bad back and she still brought me breakfast, lunch and dinner when I came out of the hospital.
I'm a "germaphob" so this scares me even more... we do have more than one bathroom, thank goodness. But we will have to put locks on them. I was told that I have to shower from head to toe at least three times a day, did any of you do that? (I know I would certainly do that, possibly more too). Did you keep the furniture in your room and your clothing in the closet, while in isolation? Plus, what about your car after the car ride from the hospital (I live 10 mins away from my hosp)?
So sorry if I'm bombarding you all with questions... before I was apprehensive to even look at the cancer site or the forums because it made me feel very sick, but now I know that there are so many wonderful people out there like me. I never knew that thyroid cancer even existed.
Emma, do you still have the tenderness in your throat? How long after did you use the sour candy?
thank you all again
michelle0 -
My doctor was real low keyedibeatcanser said:Thank you for your support everyone
Hello All,
Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot. Today, I'm feeling much better physically and mentally. I don't have children of my own, I have a 2 year old niece who is very close to me. Every morning, she runs to my room with her doctor bag. So that's what I'm most concerned about.
My parents, extended family and friends have been with me through thick and thin, never wavering; multiple surgeries and the whole lot. So, I'm eternally grateful for that. My mom has a bad back and she still brought me breakfast, lunch and dinner when I came out of the hospital.
I'm a "germaphob" so this scares me even more... we do have more than one bathroom, thank goodness. But we will have to put locks on them. I was told that I have to shower from head to toe at least three times a day, did any of you do that? (I know I would certainly do that, possibly more too). Did you keep the furniture in your room and your clothing in the closet, while in isolation? Plus, what about your car after the car ride from the hospital (I live 10 mins away from my hosp)?
So sorry if I'm bombarding you all with questions... before I was apprehensive to even look at the cancer site or the forums because it made me feel very sick, but now I know that there are so many wonderful people out there like me. I never knew that thyroid cancer even existed.
Emma, do you still have the tenderness in your throat? How long after did you use the sour candy?
thank you all again
michelle
My doctor was real low keyed about the isolation. Three days that I was it and all was back to normal.
As long as you don't get too close to people, during those three days, they will be fine. Most of the radioactive material comes out in your urine so flush your toilet twice.
Call your Radiologist if you are really worried. Mine was sooooo nice.
Yes, I still have a tiny bit of tenderness. But that is just me. I had my surgery May 20, 2008 and another one April 2009 to repair the scar. The RAI was in July 2008. I have another one coming up Sept. 28th. But it is just to make sure I am cancer free.
Did you have Papillary cancer? Are you on Cytomel and do you feel real tired? Make sure you rest.0 -
feeling betteremma54 said:My doctor was real low keyed
My doctor was real low keyed about the isolation. Three days that I was it and all was back to normal.
As long as you don't get too close to people, during those three days, they will be fine. Most of the radioactive material comes out in your urine so flush your toilet twice.
Call your Radiologist if you are really worried. Mine was sooooo nice.
Yes, I still have a tiny bit of tenderness. But that is just me. I had my surgery May 20, 2008 and another one April 2009 to repair the scar. The RAI was in July 2008. I have another one coming up Sept. 28th. But it is just to make sure I am cancer free.
Did you have Papillary cancer? Are you on Cytomel and do you feel real tired? Make sure you rest.
Hello,
Feeling better today.
As far as isolation, I will be in the hospital for three days, then have to stay in my room for a further seven. Yes, my Endocrinologist made it clear that I have to do the treamtent based on my pathology report... He will find out for certain if I can stay at a hotel.
My surgery was on August 6th, 09. Wow, my RAI will be on the same day as yours. Sept 28th. I start the diet on Sept 7th; body scan on the 24th. I will have you in my thoughts. Were you able to return to work?
It was diagnosed as Papillary cancer. I had 3 nodules, 2 were malignant, the third one (malignant) they found after the thyroid was removed. I was completely asymptomatic. I'm currently not on any medication; not until after treatment will I be placed on it. Up until wednesday, I was upbeat and chipper, with a few days or tiredness. Wednesday was just horrible, everything slowed down and I couldn't stop crying; Thursday was nerve wracking since I had to see the nuclear med physician and I had to do it without my mom in the office. They made her stay outside.
Talking to others whom have gone through this is helping me a lot, as opposed to my team of doctors, radiologists etc, that can only try to explain what they know on paper...
Thank you all again...0 -
Hello
Well, as I suspected your situation is different from mine. I had one nodule, papillary cancer. Yours was more extensive which is why your radioactive therapy dose is most likely going to be higher than mine was. Again, that explains why you have to be in isolation longer than my three days.
I did go back to work after all was completed. I am older than you and only worked part-time, but have since been laid off due to the economy. Sometimes I feel too tired to look for another job. Isn't that terrible?
We can think of each other on the 28th!0 -
Roller Coaster Ride
Crystal,
My daughter was diagnosed in Dec. 2007 at 19 years old. Total Thyroidectomy, Parathyroid Glands Removed and 1 transplanted, Bilateral Neck Disection w/90 lymph nodes removed w/56 papillary cancer including Mediastinum area. 2nd Surgery in April,2008 to remove another 2 cancerous nodes(left clavical and mediastinum). She had a 200 dose of RAI in May,2008.
I am not going to talk about all the blood tests, and Ultrasounds, and CT scans. Hyper and Hypo.
I want to celebrate with you and the CSN that her last ultrasound showed no evidence of disease, a CT scan had 2 small calcified nodes in mediastinum which srunk from 2008 RAI, and on August 14, she had a RAI-WBS with no uptake... Her endocrinologist is thrilled. Her Nuclear Medicine Dr was presently suprised.. I am ecstatic, because for today I know my daughter has no sign of living thyroid cancer. I know it's not over, but I feel confident.
She has to be followed very carefully, because of the original amount of her disease. The reoccurance rate is high because of this same reason..
Please be your own advocate!! I would ask your doctor why they have reduced the amount of your second dose.. Check out the internet for info on RAI.
Stay Strong and Conquer this Disease..
God Bless0 -
While you're Radioactive
In Georgia there is no hospitalization following RAI. Here's a summary of the instructions I got following mine, with my interpretations and additions:
Drive home by yourself if possible. If you are a passenger sit in the back seat as far from the driver as possible. If you have to drive more than 30 or 45 minutes you should make the trip alone.
Do not sleep with ANYONE for a week. Sleep in a separate room or on a cot away from others. If you are going to sleep in a regular bed buy a plastic mattress protector and put it on first. Discard it after a week. (Radiation is lost in bodily secretions including perspiration.)
Flush twice after each trip to the toilet.
Do not prepare food for anyone else. Take your meals alone and use disposable utensils if possible. Otherwise keep your eating utensils separate from everyone else's.
Avoid close contact with babies or small children for the entire 7 days. You can gradually get closer to adults after 3 or 4 days.
Keep several feet away from other adults when you're not moving about. There is no danger from brief close encounters, say, while passing in a hallway. (I live alone but did my own grocery shopping; no danger to the strangers you pass in a store.)
Launder your clothes, towels, sheets, etc. separately from others.
Wear disposable footwear if available. Whatever footwear you use during the week should either be discarded or stored away from people for several months; it will eventually give up it's radioactivity during that time. Don't let pets* play with anything you've worn.
*While our rules did not mention pets it is best to use the same rules as for babies--they have a very small body mass so a safe amount of radiation for an adult could be dangerous for a pet.
Do not have any sexual contact for at least a week. No kissing either!
After 7 days gather up everything you've worn or used and launder it two or three times, then set it aside for a few more weeks.
I read about a case where radioactivity was detected at a landfill. The source was traced to feminine pads discarded by a RAI patient. If you can't flush 'em I'm not sure what should be done with them...maybe isolate them for several months in a sealed bag or container (in the attic? in the shed out back?) while the radiation dissipates.
BTW--the half-life of I-131 is around 25 days IIRC, maybe 30. But your body expells the radiation, too, roughly half of it will leave through secretions every 24 hours. If you do the math you'll see that the amount remaining in your body after 7 days is minuscule, but the items you soiled during that week will still be half as radioactive after 25 or 30 days. In other words, the danger remains much longer in contaminated THINGS than it does in your body.0 -
wowser!!JAWsSavannah said:While you're Radioactive
In Georgia there is no hospitalization following RAI. Here's a summary of the instructions I got following mine, with my interpretations and additions:
Drive home by yourself if possible. If you are a passenger sit in the back seat as far from the driver as possible. If you have to drive more than 30 or 45 minutes you should make the trip alone.
Do not sleep with ANYONE for a week. Sleep in a separate room or on a cot away from others. If you are going to sleep in a regular bed buy a plastic mattress protector and put it on first. Discard it after a week. (Radiation is lost in bodily secretions including perspiration.)
Flush twice after each trip to the toilet.
Do not prepare food for anyone else. Take your meals alone and use disposable utensils if possible. Otherwise keep your eating utensils separate from everyone else's.
Avoid close contact with babies or small children for the entire 7 days. You can gradually get closer to adults after 3 or 4 days.
Keep several feet away from other adults when you're not moving about. There is no danger from brief close encounters, say, while passing in a hallway. (I live alone but did my own grocery shopping; no danger to the strangers you pass in a store.)
Launder your clothes, towels, sheets, etc. separately from others.
Wear disposable footwear if available. Whatever footwear you use during the week should either be discarded or stored away from people for several months; it will eventually give up it's radioactivity during that time. Don't let pets* play with anything you've worn.
*While our rules did not mention pets it is best to use the same rules as for babies--they have a very small body mass so a safe amount of radiation for an adult could be dangerous for a pet.
Do not have any sexual contact for at least a week. No kissing either!
After 7 days gather up everything you've worn or used and launder it two or three times, then set it aside for a few more weeks.
I read about a case where radioactivity was detected at a landfill. The source was traced to feminine pads discarded by a RAI patient. If you can't flush 'em I'm not sure what should be done with them...maybe isolate them for several months in a sealed bag or container (in the attic? in the shed out back?) while the radiation dissipates.
BTW--the half-life of I-131 is around 25 days IIRC, maybe 30. But your body expells the radiation, too, roughly half of it will leave through secretions every 24 hours. If you do the math you'll see that the amount remaining in your body after 7 days is minuscule, but the items you soiled during that week will still be half as radioactive after 25 or 30 days. In other words, the danger remains much longer in contaminated THINGS than it does in your body.
Wow, that's incredible!
Can I also lay plastic on the floor in the room? (I forgot the name of the plastic the painters use to protect the floors). I think I will use my old airbed mattress instead of my bed. In addition, I will wear gloves once I leave my room to use the bathroom and a new pair for the return trip to my room. What about birds? I have 2 parakeets, but they stay in my parents room. I honestly plan to discard the clothing I've worn during the isolation period. I was going to put them in about 3 or 4 layers of trash bags and label them.
Thank you for telling me about the footwear. You also gave me an idea to have one pair while in the shower and the other while in the bedroom.
I'm feeling a lot better now though.
I have a dumb question, can you eat couscous while on the low iodine diet? I'd rather ask someone that has been through this experience. I will talk again to my radiologist and nurse to get more answers. The day I went in for my initial screening, almost all of the questions I had, flew away and I forgot the paper I wrote them on...
thank you so much again.0 -
hi againemma54 said:Hello
Well, as I suspected your situation is different from mine. I had one nodule, papillary cancer. Yours was more extensive which is why your radioactive therapy dose is most likely going to be higher than mine was. Again, that explains why you have to be in isolation longer than my three days.
I did go back to work after all was completed. I am older than you and only worked part-time, but have since been laid off due to the economy. Sometimes I feel too tired to look for another job. Isn't that terrible?
We can think of each other on the 28th!
So sorry that you lost your job...
My boss and coworkers are extremely supportive of my situation. They have also been standing by be, which is a wonderful feeling; to think also, that I had only started this job about 4 months ago.
I'm quite concerned about being too tired not just to work, but to commute (35 miles each way). The most beneficial part is that I have my wonderful parents, family and friends here for me. My endocrinologist for now has given me 2 weeks off after the RAI. I pray that all will go well.
I'm coming to terms with the RAI and with lots of prayers and support, I've been more at ease and release a great weight off of my shoulders. I'm learning to let others help me with this; have a co-pilot at the wheel.
take care and yes, will be thinking of you on the 28th!0 -
Hello to you!ibeatcanser said:hi again
So sorry that you lost your job...
My boss and coworkers are extremely supportive of my situation. They have also been standing by be, which is a wonderful feeling; to think also, that I had only started this job about 4 months ago.
I'm quite concerned about being too tired not just to work, but to commute (35 miles each way). The most beneficial part is that I have my wonderful parents, family and friends here for me. My endocrinologist for now has given me 2 weeks off after the RAI. I pray that all will go well.
I'm coming to terms with the RAI and with lots of prayers and support, I've been more at ease and release a great weight off of my shoulders. I'm learning to let others help me with this; have a co-pilot at the wheel.
take care and yes, will be thinking of you on the 28th!
Oh don't
Hello to you!
Oh don't worry. You won't be tired once you get adjusted to your meds. I am older than you and my fatigue is somewhat due to post-menopausal symptoms.
Thanks for sympathizing with my job loss. I am taking the opportunity to clean out closets and cupboards.
Hope you are resting.0 -
how are you doing now?Crys218 said:well just found out...
that i do have to do the diet... but my nuck medicine people told me that i dont have to go overboard on it which is a good thing.. just gotta be on it for a few days.
they are gonna keep me in the hospital for a few days... because i know the way my mom is and she will want to be over here all the time, which can't happen.. but try telling my mom something like that lol..
how long after i get out of the hospital do i have to be isolated from people and animals? because my parents are going to be watching my dog for me while i'm in the hospital. and i'm just worried about exposing them to anything that could happen.
How are you feeling now?
Yes, my poor mom wants to be in the house for me 24/7, but I told her that I can't have her or anyone else exposed to the radiation...
But I'm learning as the days go by, to let people in. Live and all will be well. I even went to Disneyland on Saturday. Even though I've been there so many times, this time it was different. Saw it differently with a tremendous amount of appreciation for life and family.
take care and do stay strong!!0 -
I've never considered
I've never considered exposure to pet birds...my smallest pet is a cat. Since birds have very very small body mass you should not get around them during that week IMO. When I brought up the cat issue my doctor said don't worry but maybe he just doesn't like animals.
I'm not sure what value there would be in covering the floor with a disposable plastic drop cloth. Those things are slippery and would be inviting a fall, for one thing. As long as you're not walking around barefoot you're not leaving much of anything behind on a floor, or so it seems to me.
I don't have any couscous to check the ingredients but I believe it is just a pasta product made from grain. If so it shouldn't be a problem with the LID. BTW--none of my doctors seemed to worry much about the special diet. A reasonable approach seems to be use plain salt, skip your multivitamins, no seafood, no restaurant food, and minimal prepared foods. Buy fresh ingredients and do the meal prep yourself if possible.0 -
SCARED
i just found out this pass monday fter i had an ultra sound that they found a mass on my thyroid. i am scared because i don't know what to do. in have an appointment eith an endocronologist on september 9, i could not go to work this week. because when people ask me how am i , what do i say fine. i am not fine, because i don't know. i have told one coworker that i am close to and she tells me to think positiive because true i don't know what it what yet. i am trying to prepare myself for whatever it may be. i have looked some things up in the internet about masses on thyroids, every topic led back to different cancers these masses could be. i do feel a stiffness in my neck at times, i am going through the cahnge in life, so i consistently get hot flashes but the past month i have been getting them more than i have in the pass, i don't know if it is just my nerves or what. i don't know what questions to ask when i do see the doctor on the ninth. my doctor is also having me tested for osteoproses, would this cause a mass on my thyroid?0 -
spoke to my docs...JAWsSavannah said:I've never considered
I've never considered exposure to pet birds...my smallest pet is a cat. Since birds have very very small body mass you should not get around them during that week IMO. When I brought up the cat issue my doctor said don't worry but maybe he just doesn't like animals.
I'm not sure what value there would be in covering the floor with a disposable plastic drop cloth. Those things are slippery and would be inviting a fall, for one thing. As long as you're not walking around barefoot you're not leaving much of anything behind on a floor, or so it seems to me.
I don't have any couscous to check the ingredients but I believe it is just a pasta product made from grain. If so it shouldn't be a problem with the LID. BTW--none of my doctors seemed to worry much about the special diet. A reasonable approach seems to be use plain salt, skip your multivitamins, no seafood, no restaurant food, and minimal prepared foods. Buy fresh ingredients and do the meal prep yourself if possible.
Had a good three week follow up with my surgeon on Wednesday. Calcium levels are good, so I don't need the supplements. I used Tums for a few days after I was discharged. Incision healing well...
I finally spoke with my endocrinologist and nurse from radiology. They cleared up a few things and put my mind at ease a bit. This is a complete life changing situation and it really got to me how nonchalant some of their answers were (I had a good spat with them). As a result, they will provide me with the proper trash bags and the absorbant cloth for the floor. My parents are giving up their master bedroom suite to me for the additional 4 days I have in isolation when I return from my three days in hospital. I feel horrible about doing so, but it will eliminate contact with my niece at all times. In addition, I found out that I can't be near her for another 2 weeks after that. A friend of mine told me 60 days is even better.
Got another tip too: to reduce the trash content, use toilet paper as much as possible instead of paper towels, that way you just flush it.
I asked the nurse about my birds and she replied "birds?!... oh I guess you can stay away for a week" Then I said: "but they are tiny and when can I play with them?" she responded: "you play with them?...ok" they are living beings too, I thought to myself.
The couscous is organic whole wheat, so it's a plus on my menu. Unsalted Matzo crackers are pretty good too.
I do have a few more questions, did any of you go through the "I can't sleep stage?" A week and a half ago, I was able to sleep through the night, but now I can't. I still have to recline to sleep or else I choke. It's also hard to nap during the day and it seems that my stomach has no bottom, I'm hungry all the time. The other question is, my legs cramp easily especially the right one (my endo said it's normal). Has anyone experienced that? Now, I have a deep aversion to french fries, I can't stand the smell or taste. I tried just one and I almost gagged... even the natural veggie chips I can't handle.
I still can't thank you all enough for your support.0 -
i was in the same situation not so long ago...sharonrose said:SCARED
i just found out this pass monday fter i had an ultra sound that they found a mass on my thyroid. i am scared because i don't know what to do. in have an appointment eith an endocronologist on september 9, i could not go to work this week. because when people ask me how am i , what do i say fine. i am not fine, because i don't know. i have told one coworker that i am close to and she tells me to think positiive because true i don't know what it what yet. i am trying to prepare myself for whatever it may be. i have looked some things up in the internet about masses on thyroids, every topic led back to different cancers these masses could be. i do feel a stiffness in my neck at times, i am going through the cahnge in life, so i consistently get hot flashes but the past month i have been getting them more than i have in the pass, i don't know if it is just my nerves or what. i don't know what questions to ask when i do see the doctor on the ninth. my doctor is also having me tested for osteoproses, would this cause a mass on my thyroid?
I was in the same situation just over one month ago. For me, this came out of left field, I had an MRI done of my neck for something unrelated and the two nodules showed up.
At first I didn't know what to make of it then I was royally freaked out, but I prayed, meditated and spoke to my family about it. I immersed myself in my work to "forget" about it until the endocrinologist appt.
Did they tell you if a biopsy would be performed? I almost passed out when the doctor told me he was going to do a biopsy and another ultrasound (I'm a chicken when it comes to that sort of thing - I fainted when I got my ears pierced). I just thought that I was going in for them to explain what the nodules were, maybe a blood test, the usual check up and then I leave. I'm normally the uber prepared one, but for this my mind turned to jello.
Make a list of things about you, your medical history, plus any changes or things that occured within the past 2-3 months which seem "odd" in retrospect. Also, ensure that the list is in your pocket, I left mine in the car.
The best advice is to stay positive and don't overthink it until you see the doctor. Focus on overcoming this obstacle and not letting it win. Don't tell yourself you're "sick" in any way, that will wear you out fast.
There are wonderful people in these discussion groups to help. Trust me, they put my mind at ease. I thought that I was the only one with this. I never knew it existed.
Stay positive and don't let it stop you from living your life!!0 -
I WAS IN THE SAME SITUATION....ibeatcanser said:i was in the same situation not so long ago...
I was in the same situation just over one month ago. For me, this came out of left field, I had an MRI done of my neck for something unrelated and the two nodules showed up.
At first I didn't know what to make of it then I was royally freaked out, but I prayed, meditated and spoke to my family about it. I immersed myself in my work to "forget" about it until the endocrinologist appt.
Did they tell you if a biopsy would be performed? I almost passed out when the doctor told me he was going to do a biopsy and another ultrasound (I'm a chicken when it comes to that sort of thing - I fainted when I got my ears pierced). I just thought that I was going in for them to explain what the nodules were, maybe a blood test, the usual check up and then I leave. I'm normally the uber prepared one, but for this my mind turned to jello.
Make a list of things about you, your medical history, plus any changes or things that occured within the past 2-3 months which seem "odd" in retrospect. Also, ensure that the list is in your pocket, I left mine in the car.
The best advice is to stay positive and don't overthink it until you see the doctor. Focus on overcoming this obstacle and not letting it win. Don't tell yourself you're "sick" in any way, that will wear you out fast.
There are wonderful people in these discussion groups to help. Trust me, they put my mind at ease. I thought that I was the only one with this. I never knew it existed.
Stay positive and don't let it stop you from living your life!!
Thank you very much for your words of encouragement0 -
hey so I thought that Ibowlwarej said:Good=)
I'm glad it made sense
That diet really is horrible! I was entirely too cranky the whole time I was on it! I guess it's a small price to pay though when you have something invading your body, and it's what will help you get better. I had to keep telling myself that when I thought I would go crazy!
Are they hoping the next radiation dose will make the tumors diappear? Or have they talked about another surgery? I'm surprised you don't have to do the diet again......
hey so I thought that I would just jump right in after reading your posts on diets and stuff. So I have thyroid cancer to but because I am just one crazy chic have decided to buck the Drs and go the natural way. I am young and just could not see myself beong cut on and radiated. I respect everyones choice on how they treat cancer but thought that I would add my 2 cents:) so I am on a strict diet as well. It is called the yeast free diet and I noticed you both say that even after surgery the cancer came back. Well the Dr I am working with says that the origin of all disease in the body is the overgrowth of yeast and by eliminating this than you wipe out cancer in your body. I have 3 tumors and one is quite large and was fairly visible to the eye, and now after being on this diet and suppliments I have to say that it is becoming less visible. and I have to say that the diet is not all that bad if you just make up your mind that you are gonna do it. I have more energy now which with the tyroid is the first thing to go. I will know for sure if I have made any progress as in a few days I have another ultrasound. I wish you both the best of luck and if you want any more info from my end or to pick my brain please feel free. Take care.
Mely0 -
sea salt is your friend inbowlwarej said:No salt!
Hey Glenda (that's my moms name)
I was told by my doc just to avoid any products that say they have salt in them at all. He said it was because they never specify whether or not they use iodized or uniodized salt in the product. They have non-iodized salt on the shelf that is actually pretty tasty if you need a little flavor for something The diet is awful! But it's just one step closer to getting where you want to be
Julie
sea salt is your friend in this whole picture!!0 -
New hereibeatcanser said:Thank you for your support everyone
Hello All,
Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot. Today, I'm feeling much better physically and mentally. I don't have children of my own, I have a 2 year old niece who is very close to me. Every morning, she runs to my room with her doctor bag. So that's what I'm most concerned about.
My parents, extended family and friends have been with me through thick and thin, never wavering; multiple surgeries and the whole lot. So, I'm eternally grateful for that. My mom has a bad back and she still brought me breakfast, lunch and dinner when I came out of the hospital.
I'm a "germaphob" so this scares me even more... we do have more than one bathroom, thank goodness. But we will have to put locks on them. I was told that I have to shower from head to toe at least three times a day, did any of you do that? (I know I would certainly do that, possibly more too). Did you keep the furniture in your room and your clothing in the closet, while in isolation? Plus, what about your car after the car ride from the hospital (I live 10 mins away from my hosp)?
So sorry if I'm bombarding you all with questions... before I was apprehensive to even look at the cancer site or the forums because it made me feel very sick, but now I know that there are so many wonderful people out there like me. I never knew that thyroid cancer even existed.
Emma, do you still have the tenderness in your throat? How long after did you use the sour candy?
thank you all again
michelle
I wonder how are you feeling so far...?0 -
Very inspiringibeatcanser said:i was in the same situation not so long ago...
I was in the same situation just over one month ago. For me, this came out of left field, I had an MRI done of my neck for something unrelated and the two nodules showed up.
At first I didn't know what to make of it then I was royally freaked out, but I prayed, meditated and spoke to my family about it. I immersed myself in my work to "forget" about it until the endocrinologist appt.
Did they tell you if a biopsy would be performed? I almost passed out when the doctor told me he was going to do a biopsy and another ultrasound (I'm a chicken when it comes to that sort of thing - I fainted when I got my ears pierced). I just thought that I was going in for them to explain what the nodules were, maybe a blood test, the usual check up and then I leave. I'm normally the uber prepared one, but for this my mind turned to jello.
Make a list of things about you, your medical history, plus any changes or things that occured within the past 2-3 months which seem "odd" in retrospect. Also, ensure that the list is in your pocket, I left mine in the car.
The best advice is to stay positive and don't overthink it until you see the doctor. Focus on overcoming this obstacle and not letting it win. Don't tell yourself you're "sick" in any way, that will wear you out fast.
There are wonderful people in these discussion groups to help. Trust me, they put my mind at ease. I thought that I was the only one with this. I never knew it existed.
Stay positive and don't let it stop you from living your life!!
All of you folks are very inspiring and I feel a bit better...
My symptom was just nothing at all except occassional "strep" on each side and then about a year later, "strep" came back on other side on and off for 9 years. Dr thought it was either hypo or hyper in my thyroid so she sent me to sonogram. My husband and I didn't see anything "unusual" on the sonogram monitor and the radiologist was very QUIET.... Oh well...
In a week later, I came back to see the doctor for getting the prescription for my thyroid. But no.. she said that I have a mass in my right thyroid and I had to see the biopsy. The word "biopsy" really shocked and scared the Heck out of me. I'm sure I wasn't an only one who cried big time when you hear the words "mass" and "biopsy". No matter what the doctors said in an assuring way but still...
I sure hope that you folks are doing alright so far.0
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