Radioactive Reflections

In thinking about my experience, I keep remembering some things I forgot to add in my previous posts. So, here we go! After leaving the hospital, I felt pretty good (even stayed up and sewed an apron, of all things!?). I was smiling and upbeat. I felt really good. This was, as I learned, because it takes 24 hours for the RAI to really get into your system. My Endo had told me that after taking the pill I would be able to be off of the Low Iodine Diet (the angels in my head rejoiced!), and the nuclear med tech said the same thing. I was fully planning on a good "real" meal. However, when Mr. Weird doctor met with me he told me no way! That I would have to wait until Friday, but then we compromised on 24 hours later, which would have been dinner on Thursday.

My parents were ready to pick up Fuzzy's chips and queso and fish tacos for me. But, as we know, that was not to be (not yet, anyway!).

Here we are, day three, and all I've had to eat today is a few pieces of toast. This nausea has been something I didn't anticipate. I wish people would just be honest. I realize that everyone has a different experience, but for some reason, I feel like people I've talked to who have gone through this have minimized what it is like. That, or I'm really just a wuss! I know more than one person has said to me (doctor's included) that this is the "radiation that you get that doesn't make you sick". This is, of course, coming from a doctor who hasn't gone through it himself.

I think part of my exhaustion is due to my body still being very hypothyroid. This is because I was off of my synthetic thyroid replacement medicine for so long. I was able to start taking it again on Thursday morning, but I've only had three pills so far. I'm guessing it will take a week at least for it to really get back into my system. Needless to say, I've spent many MANY hours sleeping, and I look forward to not waking up tired!

So, that first night while I was sleeping I remember waking up and feeling like I had fire coming out through my pores. It was mostly in my lower extremities- most especially my right leg and thigh, for some reason. It was the weirdest sensation. It didn't last long, and I was able to get back to sleep quickly, but it definitely woke me up. I had also taken a Phenergan and remember "waking up" (realized later it was all a dream- I must have been hallucinating a bit) and walking to the door in my room. I opened it because I heard talking in the great room. I saw my mom out there talking with a handsome young man who was a plumber... and he had a really cool big white dog with him. Don't ask?! I have no explanation....

I talked before about the sore salivary glands and puffy face. This IS something they told me to expect. You know when you eat something sour, like a lemon and you get that TWANG in your jaw or by your ears?.. that is where it was super sore!

The salivary glands by my cheeks, in front of my ears were the worst! Swollen and very sore to touch! It made my face look funny in the "oooh that's weird" way, not a "haha" funny way. I looked like a chipmunk with nuts in my cheeks.  

Okay, maybe not *that* puffy! Tee hee!

Well, they tell you to suck on sour hard candy starting on day two to help get those salivary glands working and to draw out the radiation. They suggest lemon drops... let me just tell you when you pop one of those suckas into your mouth with sore and swollen salivary glands, it quickly introduces you to a whole new level of TWANG! I'm talking, brace yourself with your hands and try to focus on not yelping a little- level!

This was really bad the first day after RAI, a little better on the second day, and here I am on day three and the swelling is hardly there and it doesn't hurt when I push on those areas anymore! Yay!

I have never taken as many showers in three days as I have since I came here. They say to shower frequently to help wash out and wash off the radiation (that exits your body through your pores, sweat, tears, urine, and feces). I am squeaky clean, that is for sure!

Oh, and be sure to flush two or three times..... (sorry mom and dad for the water bill!).

For some reason I woke up on the second day and my voice was HOARSE!! Like, really hoarse and raspy. It seemed to get worse as the day went on, too. By the end of the day I hardly had any voice at all. I am sure it was related to the salivary glad swelling- causing swelling in my throat. My throat was minimally sore, but I did sound like a man! I'd be willing to bet if I had called someone who didn't know me they would have called me a "sir". When I woke up this morning I was still hoarse, but it has improved greatly throughout the day. I'm sure my voice will be back to normal by tomorrow.

As today  has worn on, I have started to feel a little better. I haven't taken a Phenergan since this morning and I've been ok. I haven't had much energy though, and have laid around most of the day. I'm hoping for some energy tomorrow so that I can start sewing things. I brought a bunch of stuff to sew and projects to finish.. so I'm eager to get going on them!

How I became Radiation Girl

Okay, so to review:
* August 23, 2010 I felt a lump on my neck.
I went in and had bloodwork, ultrasound, FNA (fine needle aspiration) biopsies, consults with two surgeons
* September 21, 2010 had a Total Thyroidectomy
* October 5th went off of my thyroid replacement medication to prepare for my RAI
* October 25th started Low Iodine Diet to prepare for RAI
* November 2nd had myTSH  levels checked to see if they were at least 40 to see if I could start my RAI (they were 62!)
* They scheduled my RAI for November 10th
Before I could go in for the RAI, they had to do a pregnancy test, as standard protocol for anyone of child-bearing age. I went in on Monday the 8th for the blood draw and the nurse called me on Tuesday, but I missed her call. She left a message with her direct extension. She didn't leave any results, just told me to call her. OMG! I freaked! Was I pregnant?!?!? I would DIE! I called her back and she just had questions about my disability paperwork! Schew! I told her she gave me a heart attack... and she cracked up! Yes, yes, very funny. I was scheduled to check in at admissons at 1:30.


My babies were home with me that day because Benjamin had come down with the stomach virus the day before (Tuesday)  that was running through daycare. I guess him being out the ENTIRE week before with an ear infection and virus with high fever wasn't enough! Turns out that Brooke got it Wednesday and Corey came down with it on Thursday!! HOLY moses!!! Enough already!!!
Anyway, before I left, I had gotten both babies to sleep. This is how they were when I left, bawling, for the hospital. God, I miss them like crazy!!

My sweet Brooke is under there. I was crying when I told her goodnight and that I was going to miss her and how much I loved her. After I walked out I heard her start crying, so I went back in and asked if she was ok. She said she needed one more hug and kiss. OMG, heatbreaking. I gave her another long hug and more kisses.

My gentle baby Benjamin. Poor thing was still under the weather and exhausted from being sick. (He is wearing the bib as a puke catcher- just in case). Oh how I miss kissing and holding him in my arms.

Sheesh! I'm a crying mess typing this! 

This is my plastic lined seat for my ride to my parents house after the pill.

I got to the hospital and got all checked in. Then they sent me down to the Nuclear Medicine department in the basement. I had to walk by this:

WHAT ON EARTH?!?!? I can't think of WHY one would need to be zipped in to their bed....

So, a LOT of things about this picture make me laugh. For one, would it kill them to order some new letters?! Also, the sign with the red arrow says, "New GED classroom!". That makes me giggle for some reason.

Ohh, an improvement! Almost had all of the letters here, just missing the S in Ultrasound! The spelling freak in me twitches when things are misspelled. If I had a marker with me I just may have written in the missing letters...

I had to wait for a while in the waiting room until the Nuke Med doc could see me. Apparently there was someone else who was becoming Radioactive before me. For those of you know me, this will come as a shock to you, but I chatted up the other people in the waiting room. One lady was there waiting for her mom who was doing her pre-op. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer at age 75, but they caught it early. There was another lady who was there for a bone scan- she has had breast cancer for 10 years and it has been in her bones, but she was very optimistic and positive. She said it has been very manageable with medication. Then there was two sisters who were there with their pastor and their mom who had recently found a lump in her neck. She was there for a biopsy. One sister had lost her son 10 years ago- I didn't catch how, but how sad. :( The other sister's husband and son were in a terrible auto accident 8 years ago and the husband was Care Flighted to the hospital we were at. He is doing well, but has some paralysis from the accident. He broke his neck and had spinal cord injuries. He was hit by a druggie who had stolen $15 of gas and took off. He caused their car to flip over and roll. Her son was much better off b/c they were on the way to a Pee Wee football game and he was in all of his gear- helmet even, and it protected him. Sort of makes you want to get in football gear every time you drive! The pastor that was with them was the sweetest old man! I loved him! He scared us all though when he got up to get something to drink. His leg had fallen asleep and he tripped and fell on the floor!!! YIKES! It was super scary- all of us women jumped up and helped him. He was ok though! Then they called me back.

I met with Johnny, the coolest and nicest, and most imformative Nuclear Med Tech that ever existed. Seriously, this is one cool dude. I certainly appreciated all of the information he gave me. I had called and talked to him at length and also come down and met with him prior to today. He always was very nice and never acted like I was a bother with all of my questions! This is where we had our little "consult" and where the doctor came in to talk to me as well. The doctor was a little odd... I think the Radiation may  have gotten to him a bit.

So, here is the 15lb box that contains my pills inside! HEAVY little sucker!

This is on the warning on the door of the room I was in to take my pill and where I had to wait for 30 minutes before I was able to leave.

Two pills of Radioactive Iodine (I-131). 153.9mCi.  Powerful little suckers! The tech watched me swallow them and then left me for 30 minutes. Of course, I explored! :)

I found this bag. They really should make you wear this on your way out of the hospital.

I should have asked to take one home as a souvenir.

There were several magazines on the table... but all were OLD!! I think the *newest* one was from 2008!

This was one side of the room- apparently techs sleep here?....

This is where I sat, facing the wall, and looking at the stacks of OLD as dirt magazines.

The sign on the door was funny. Not sure why anyone would want to sleep in the room where they put patients to become radioactive.... but who am I to judge? If you are tired, sleep, I suppose!

I was bored, so I played the "which magazine is the oldest" game. I made it up on the spot. This one took the prize! October of 2003!!! Wow!

Then my time was up and the tech came in with the Geiger Counter to measure my level of radioactivity. He let me take a picture of the device. He was so cool! He even turned the sound on it and went down the hall far away then as he walked closer and closer to me it got louder and Louder and LOUDER as he got closer to me! Crazy!

I was finally on my way to my parents. It is hard to see in this picture, but the guy on the motorcycle had a stuffed parrot on the back of his bike with a sign on him that said "Get off of your phone and drive!". The irony is not lost on me that I took this picture with my cell phone....

And...ooops! Corey left me with an empty tank! I prayed that I would make it to my parents without having to stop to get gas and expose the general public to my radioactivity!

Here is where I am staying until November 21st. Could be worse, huh?! It is a gorgeous and spacious guest room and I am so blessed to be able to stay here and be taken care of by my parents! I am one lucky girl!

This table is all set up for my sewing machine and the projects that I hope to do once I get to feeling better.

There was a cooler of drinks for me. You have to really push the fluids to get the radiation out of you!

Here's some of the post RAI precautions. They are nutty!

I had to continue the Low Iodine diet for 24 hours after the RAI dose. I had a little appetite that night but really haven't had one since. Ugh. And to think I was all excited about going off of the stupid low iodine thing and thrilled about getting to eat real food again. I've hardly eaten at all. My appetite will return some day.

My parents are so cute. They ate their dinner down the hallway, at a safe distance, so we could talk!

They are the best!! :)

So, I am writing this on my second day after the RAI. I have slept a LOT. I haven't felt well. I've had some nausea, but have been taking Phenergan, which also makes me sleep. I feel weak and achey. My salivary glands are sore and swollen and today I woke up with a very hoarse and raspy voice. I'm sure this is correlated to my salivary glands being swollen and causing swelling in my throat. I've been a worried wreck about my family at home since they have all been sick with the Stomach virus. And to think I was worried about my husband being able to handle taking care of the kids under normal situation. He has been SUPER dad and has impressed me immensely! He has been thrown up on and pooped on and had to clean up more nastiness than anyone ever should have. Then he was struck with it and he still managed. My mother in law will be coming down tomorrow to help out and give him a much deserved break and some rest. He is my hero! I miss my babies like crazy, but look forward to going home to them when everyone, including me, is well! This will all be a distant memory before we know it.

With that I am signing off and going to bed. No dinner for me tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

Fat Quarter Apron

SO cool that you can make a half apron by using a fat quarter! For those who don't know what one is, it is a 1/4  yard of fabric, but it is cut differently than just by cutting a yard into fourths. This picture best illustrates what I mean.

Basically, it's just a way that fabric can be cut to get WAY more use out of it! This apron should take you only about 20 minutes if you have a pre-cut fat quarter and some pre-made or bought trim. On my little "retreat" here, I didn't bring my fat quarter stash (durn it all, I knew I forgot something!!). I also don't have any pre-made trim and obviously couldn't go out and get some! So.... I cut my own fat quarter from some yardage I had and made my own trim as well. Needless to say, this took me WAY longer than 20 minutes! But, it was still super easy! I followed the great tutorial over at Prudent Baby. Funny story about why I made an apron on my first evening in isolation. I didn't expect to sew at all for my first few days here. However, I was blog surfing and stumbled upon a contest they were having. Super competitive me just HAD to enter!! I read the post about the apron contest at 8pm and freaked a little when I read on and found out the deadline was midnight! So... to my machine I went! Hey, if I have a chance to win a bundle of 22 fat quarters, I'm all in! My actual odds of winning are pretty much slim to none, but hey, I certainly can't win if I don't enter, right!
I had brought along this fabric to make an apron b/c it just screams apron!

Start with one fat quarter (or cut fabric to 18"x22").

Cut one 4" strip off of the long (22") side.

Fold the larger portin in half and find something to use to round the corner. 

You need to trim the bottom corners to be round.

Cut along your line.

Fold the short sides of your 4" strip in 1/4" and press. Do the same with your long sides. Press.

This is when you get out your trim. I had to make mine. I cut 4 3" strips of material from a yard of fabric. I sewed two of them together to make one 6" strip (after realizing I should have just cut one 6" strip to make this easier!- live and learn). I will be using this one for the waistband ties. The other strips I sewed together, short end to short end to make one very long 3" strip. This is what I used for the pleated "ruffle" trim around the apron.

I folded the 3" trim over, with wrong sides facing out and sewed it, thus making it 1 1/2", but with a 1/4" seam. Then I turned it with my handy dandy turning tool, pressed it and then sewed it to the apron. I sewed it with the seam side on the raw edge of the apron. I sewed it on to the front (see pic), and then turned it and topstitched to help hold it down.

Like so. I topstitched very close to where the two fabrics come together. It looks great!

Then I attached the waistband ties and the top band. The top band is made by folding the 4" strip over and pressing in the middle. I pinned my waistband inside and then folded over the top band and stitched in place. I sewed two vertical lines where I attached the waistband and then sewed along the top and bottom edge of the top band.

And thar she be! The finished product! Love it!