RAI treatment - just got home

rzemach
rzemach Member Posts: 33
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
HI all
After surgery for papillary cancer two months ago (total), I also had to go through RAI. I got through being Hypothyroid fairly well although the last three days were not great. I was able to work in a very stressful job right until the end. I also did not gain weight due to the low iodine diet. First time in life that I was actually able to go on a diet and stick to it.

Just got home from hospital after RAI treatment - I was in isolation for 48hrs and then they let me go home for isolation until end of this week. So far I am doing ok - feel a bit nausous but that is all. Yesterday morning my neck was swollen but that also has gone down. My doctor told me to start sucking on candies and drinking 1.5 hrs after taking the RAI pill and I hope that helped. I also hope there are no surprises tomorrow morning.!!

Thanks to all for your support on this site. I was on the oncology ward during isolation and before being admitted to my room I saw some people that are terribly sick from chemo and more severe cancer treatments. This ordeal has been very hard on me but after seeing people that are going through much worse experiences it helped me to put things in perspective a bit.

Good luck to all of you.
Robin

Comments

  • YolieC09
    YolieC09 Member Posts: 5
    Thanks for commenting on
    Thanks for commenting on your experience with RAI. I go this Thursday for consultation. So I am glad to know some of the things I will go through once I begin RAI which will probably be in a few weeks.
  • sandykr
    sandykr Member Posts: 57
    Hi, Sandy again.......did
    Hi, Sandy again.......did you have to be in the hospital isolation or did you choose to do that? I was at home, and was told to be in isolation 7 days! I too, felt a bit nauseous, tired, but mostly sort of stir crazy. I read 3 books, slept, took walks outside (we live near a moshav so no people, even no dogs).
    If you want to talk, I'll send you my number
    Sandy
  • rzemach
    rzemach Member Posts: 33
    sandykr said:

    Hi, Sandy again.......did
    Hi, Sandy again.......did you have to be in the hospital isolation or did you choose to do that? I was at home, and was told to be in isolation 7 days! I too, felt a bit nauseous, tired, but mostly sort of stir crazy. I read 3 books, slept, took walks outside (we live near a moshav so no people, even no dogs).
    If you want to talk, I'll send you my number
    Sandy

    just got home
    Hi Sandy:
    At Hadassah you have to do at least 1 day in the hospital - the date I did my RAI was reserved only for those that do three days - I could only book this time if I did three days in isolation - really strange. They compared my uptake to the amount of RAI and said I had to be in isolation a total of 5 days. After two days in a small room, I told the nurse that I could not stay one minute more and they let me go only if I stay in isolation at home.

    Yes I really would love to talk - not sure about the next steps, they are doing a body scan in 10 days and I am not really sure what that is. This seems to be an experience in which I always think I am done and then there is one more surprise around the corner....

    Robin