Today was the first day at UW Medical Center. We went to Nuclear Medicine for a gamma scan. It was nothing too traumatic. They had me lie down on the "table" (like a CT scan slab) then lowered this piece of equipment that was about 16" square and flat down to within inches from my face. All I had to do was lie still for each test which lasted between 2 - 5 minutes each. The first test was done without solution to get my baseline. The following tests were done with different dyes to determine how much solution went into my vital organs (liver, kidney, heart and spleen - if I had one). This will determine how much of the radioactive antibody to give me without doing "too much" damage to the rest of me! If nothing comes up, I should have tomorrow off. Friday I get the actual test dose of the radiation. Today I started taking iodine drops which is supposed to protect my thyroid. Bizarre stuff - I take 5 drops in a small (1/4") amount of juice followed by water. It goes down so fast it really doesn't taste bad, but if I use the same glass for the water it leaves a very salty taste. They also warned me that this stuff stains - bad - so I have to be very careful. This said, they told me that this "should" protect it during the treatment but most likely it will burn out and I will have to take a pill everyday for the rest of my life to keep it working. Two weeks from today will be the day I go into the hospital for the party to begin - IF all goes as planned!
Judy, I read about all that your going through and it kind of reminds me of our space program and sending a man to the moon. As much as they work hard to let you know what to expect you still find yourself not really knowing what to expect. It's all uncharted territory for sure. It takes the "right stuff" to get through something like this and there is no doubt you have "it". We're "beaming" love to you every day.
ReplyDeleteMark and Janet