Too Much on Our Plait: Like Mother

Like Mother - 36

Getting my radioactive iodine treatment today was totally uneventful. Kind of fun actually. The nuclear medicine department at the hospital was buzzing, having four patients getting similar treatment at the same time. The lovely gal next to me was suffering from Graves’ disease – an overactive thyroid. A smaller dose of radioactive iodine works for that as well. We wished each other luck and blessings, took our respective treatment, and were on our way.

Now, I’m in the comfort of my basement. My trusty laptop is keeping me company. Drinking water like crazy to flush the treatment out faster. I can hear the television going upstairs, the pitter patter of feet, and my family’s voices. Thank God the isolation part is short. I can come out into the world on Sunday which is, coincidentally, my baby boy’s birthday! Kyle will be 19 years old on the 21st, so we’ll have much to celebrate on that day.

Good news today! My younger sister, Grace, heard from the endocrinologist. Her thyroid nodule biopsy is benign! She’s been spared the family curse. I’m absolutely thrilled for her. She’s starting a new job in a week and fortunately doesn’t have to deal with the inconvenience (to say the least) of surgery. Congratulations Gracie! Your new employer is fortunate to have you – show ‘em what ya got!

In 5 days, my niece will have her surgery. It’s scheduled for 7 o’clock in the morning. She’ll be done and in Recovery by the time most people are just getting to work and/or waking up. We’re all praying for an uneventful operation and speedy recovery.

I think I’ll look for a good movie to watch and hopefully fall asleep. The sooner it’s tomorrow, the sooner I can be with my family again. At least I don’t have to worry about finding my way to the bathroom in the dark…with all of this radioactivity, I am my own nightlight.

Sweet dreams.

Read More 2 comments | Posted by Adelina and Dori |

2 comments

Anonymous on February 20, 2010 at 4:53 AM

Hope you enjoy your isolation, make the most of a little relaxation time. Nice to hear someone was spared the family curse. Best wishes.
Kim on February 20, 2010 at 10:09 AM

Glad to hear your RAI treatment went so uneventfully! It is encouraging for those of us with thyroid cancer. Never heard it described as "kind of fun"! ;) Thinking of you and hope your niece breezes through her surgery.
Best,
Kim

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Like Daughter, Like Mother: Our Thyroid Cancer Journey

Behind the Blog

Adelina is a full-time wife, mother, practice manager, and medical transcriptionist. After receiving an ultrasound and countless biopsies, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer on December 11, 2009. She successfully underwent surgery on December 29, 2009, and had her first radioactive iodine treatment in February 2010. Following treatment, Adelina now sees her doctor once a year for follow-up. She has been doing well, and refuses to let cancer slow her down.

Dori is 26 years old. She was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer at the age of 17 on June 1, 2006, just three days prior to her high school graduation. Dori endured two radioactive iodine treatments and two surgeries to remove her complete thyroid and 39 total lymph nodes from her neck. She is now under close watch by her doctors, and only time will tell if the cancer stays at bay.