My husband has to go in for radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer?
We're told that he has to stay in the hospital for three days while he becomes less radioactive. What are the rules? Are visitors allowed? We heard a rumour about radioactive suits for visitors? However I'm 7 months pregnant, and probbaly won't be able to go in regardless. But we don't have our appointment or contact with any doctors until the 11th, so we're anxious to find out some info on the situation. Is he allowed to bring anything in with him for entertainment? How does it work...
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
No, absolutely no visitors are allowed. the Iodine used for this treatment gives off a very high amount of radiation meant for KILLING cancer cells, hundreds if not thousands of timer higher than the amount used in an Xray. You should at all costs not visit him during this treatment, and make sure the doctors say its ok to be around him afterward. Radiation to a developing fetus can cause serious birth defects like arm and leg deformations. Basically what happens is that your husband will be staying three days in a hospital room lined with 10 inch thick lead walls to prevent any radiation from leaving the room. Iodine is a substance that is only absorbed and used by the thyroid gland to make Thyroxine (T4) the main thyroid hormone in your body. However, iodine is also absorbed by thyroid cancer cells. Since the iodine is radioactive, once it is absorbed by the cancer cells, it will began radiating them and killing them. Soem amount of radiation is still received by other parts of the body though. Yes, he is allowed to bring items with him for entertainment, as long as they are not people. The nurses will only see him a couple of times for meals and a simple check up to avoid exposure.
2 :
You and your baby should not be anywhere near your husband during that time (typically you should avoid each other for 7-10 days). I have never heard of anyone having a visitor come see them while they were in isolation in the hospital, and I've talked to 100+ thyroid cancer patients who've stayed in the hospital for RAI. Since every hospital has different rules, you will have to wait to ask them for a solid answer. With bring things with him, again, that will depend on the hospital's rules. I know a number of people who brought magazines, books, their laptop and cell phone, but then I know people who didn't bring anything since the hospital made them toss it when they left. Good luck with everything! http://thyca.org/rai.htm
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Title : My husband has to go in for radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer
Description : My husband has to go in for radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer? We're told that he has to stay in the hospital for three d...