I’ve made it through 17 days of LID (Low-Iodide Diet). I had my blood work done last Thursday. After a mix-up at the lab and not getting my results on Friday like I was supposed to, I got the call at 9:30 this morning…TSH was 75 (needed to be above 50). The radiologist needed to confirm a same-day pregnancy test then I could receive my RAI (Radio-Active Iodide). I got dressed, stopped by my husband’s work to give him one last kiss and drove the nearly 2 hours to the hospital. I drank coffee all the way there so I was eager when they handed me the specimen cup 
They informed me once they confirmed I wasn’t pregnant, the pharmacy would create the dosage of RAI and they would let me know what time to come back.
I went shopping. First I stopped at Whole Foods. I ate what they call green rice, which is really good and the only thing they make on their hot bar with kosher salt. I decided to ask at the counter since alot of the ingredients just said “salt.” They confirmed it was all sea salt, which I can’t have, but informed me they had a no-salt roasted turkey breast. I tried a sample then bought some for my lunch. I SOOOO wish I’d had a cooler! It was really good and I could have actually had sandwiches this last week of LID.
After I got home and settled into my bedroom for my 72 hours of isolation, I decided to do a little more reading on RAI treatment. I quickly came across a few blogs and spent an hour reading them. Then, frustrated, I closed them and promised myself I wouldn’t read them again. Every one of them was negative. Everything from complaining about the LID (which I admit isn’t fun), to being upset that a friend had charged sitting fees while she watched their son during her isolation. Then the ranting of the loss of taste-buds and swelling of the saliva glands…About the only two side-effects associated with RAI. We have CANCER, people!!! We have a surgery or two (some more extensive than others), eat a special diet for a few weeks, swallow a pill that makes our LID food taste funny for a week, spend a few days in isolation. A SMALL price to pay for being cured. Most cancer survivors endure multiple surgeries, dozens of chemo treatments (hair loss severe illness, etc.), plus radiation that takes WEEKS and involves hospitalization.
I feel almost guilty even saying I have cancer, let alone complaining about what little treatment I have to endure. I’m resolved tos tay positive even when things get complicated (like hearing my son crying down the hall right now and not being able to take care of him). I think this part of the treatment will be harder on the rest of the family than myself. I had my first surgery just 9 weeks ago, the second was 3 weeks ago. In the midst of all that we spent a week traveling to see our families for the holidays. My husband has done alot of parenting on his own lately. Minor offenses are exaggerated simply because of everything we’ve all been dealing with.
I’ve set up my DVR to record a few movies this week since our satellite is giving us a free movie channel…Just started “This is It.” During the day, I’ll be out around the house cleaning and taking care of everyday stuff. The evenings will be when I have to entertain myself while I’m confined to my bedroom and my 24″ TV (gonna miss the 46″ for sure!!). I’ll do some reading, too. Sleeping will probably not come easy since I don’t sleep well without Ryan anyway. I’m sure this will be challenging…but isn’t everything in life?
