Monday, February 20, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Taste
Three weeks later and I am still unable to taste foods fully. I can taste some stronger flavors like onions, garlic and peppers. I am also able to taste sweet foods, which is great! Bread tastes bland to me.
My doctor prescribed sucking on lemon drops 3 times a day for 10 days after the RAI. Even though it's past that time, I'm still sucking on sour candies: lemon drops, Lemonheads, and Sour Patch Kids. I'm hoping that it will help to bring my taste back faster.
My doctor prescribed sucking on lemon drops 3 times a day for 10 days after the RAI. Even though it's past that time, I'm still sucking on sour candies: lemon drops, Lemonheads, and Sour Patch Kids. I'm hoping that it will help to bring my taste back faster.
Post RAI scans
One week after the RAI treatment, I had a post-ablation body scan. The scan lasted about 30 minutes. My arms were strapped to my body to keep them out of the way of the machine. I also had to lie still the entire time. I was allowed to listen to my iPod during the scan.
.JPG)
In the scan above you can see where the RAI settled in my neck where the thyroid gland used to be.
There was a large uptake of the I 131 in my right salivary gland that concerned the radiologist, so he ordered a CT scan on my head and neck. I again had to be strapped with my arms against my body and hold still for 25 minutes. This time I wasn't allowed to listen to my iPod.
My radiation oncologist was also concerned about the uptake of the RAI in my salivary gland, so he ordered an MRI.
I'll admit I was a bit scared for this scan. A cage-type appartus was placed over my face and head. I had to lie still for 25 minutes. After 15 minutes, I was given an injection of Gadolinium, a contrast dye. Then the scan continued.
I really had to focus on not having a panic attack and keeping my breathing under control. I was given a panic button to push, but I figured the sooner the scan was over, the better.
My doctor called me today and said that after reviewing the scans, there were no signs of metastatic disease. I'll need to go in for a follow-up in 6 months.
.JPG)
In the scan above you can see where the RAI settled in my neck where the thyroid gland used to be.
There was a large uptake of the I 131 in my right salivary gland that concerned the radiologist, so he ordered a CT scan on my head and neck. I again had to be strapped with my arms against my body and hold still for 25 minutes. This time I wasn't allowed to listen to my iPod.
My radiation oncologist was also concerned about the uptake of the RAI in my salivary gland, so he ordered an MRI.
I'll admit I was a bit scared for this scan. A cage-type appartus was placed over my face and head. I had to lie still for 25 minutes. After 15 minutes, I was given an injection of Gadolinium, a contrast dye. Then the scan continued.
I really had to focus on not having a panic attack and keeping my breathing under control. I was given a panic button to push, but I figured the sooner the scan was over, the better.
My doctor called me today and said that after reviewing the scans, there were no signs of metastatic disease. I'll need to go in for a follow-up in 6 months.
Monday, November 21, 2011
RAI treatment
I received 100 mCi dose of radioactive iodine on Thursday, Nov. 17th. It was a capsule that I swallowed. They kept me at the hospital for about 15-20 minutes. I was very radioactive by the time they sent me home. I had to ride in the back seat of a minivan for the hour ride home.
After 4 hours of ingesting it, I started to become nauseous. I ate a small amount of dinner but didn't feel like eating much. Went to bed around 9:00pm.
The next morning, I was still nauseous and started vomiting. We called the doctor and they gave me a prescription for an antiemtic. I tried to drink water throughout the day to help flush the I31 that wasn't absorbed by leftover thyroid tissue and cells.
By the next day, I was feeling better and could eat a little bit.
I've had to spend most of my time in the bedroom and keep a 6 foot distance between me and my family.
Two days after the treatment, I was able to start a regular diet (no more low-iodine), start my new synthroid prescription and lemon drops. Sucking on lemon drops prevents damage to the salivary glands.
On day 3, I noticed that I couldn't fully taste the foods I eat. I'm hoping that it doesn't last too long!
After 4 hours of ingesting it, I started to become nauseous. I ate a small amount of dinner but didn't feel like eating much. Went to bed around 9:00pm.
The next morning, I was still nauseous and started vomiting. We called the doctor and they gave me a prescription for an antiemtic. I tried to drink water throughout the day to help flush the I31 that wasn't absorbed by leftover thyroid tissue and cells.
By the next day, I was feeling better and could eat a little bit.
I've had to spend most of my time in the bedroom and keep a 6 foot distance between me and my family.
Two days after the treatment, I was able to start a regular diet (no more low-iodine), start my new synthroid prescription and lemon drops. Sucking on lemon drops prevents damage to the salivary glands.
On day 3, I noticed that I couldn't fully taste the foods I eat. I'm hoping that it doesn't last too long!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Day 10 "Going Hypo"
Had my blood tests today. TSH is 36 so I'm having the RAI treatment tomorrow. After all the horror stories I've heard about being "hypo," it really has been bad this week. I did take the week off from work and just taking it easy at home. That might be helping to keep the "hypo" symptoms at bay. I have been colder than usual, and occassional leg cramps. Other than that, it hasn't been too awful.
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