Non-knitting content:
Yesterday I had an RAI treatment for my thyroid. This means that I am technically radioactive until 10:30am tomorrow. This also means that I've been sequestered, and bored.
When I went to the hospital yesterday to have this done (I swallowed a radioactive iodine pill), I had a conversation with the Nuclear Medicine Technician (who I've come to know and like very well over the last year) about the precautions involved with being radioactive. This is how the conversation went. For the sake of brevity, We will be initialed as follows in the transcript of our conversation:
Holly Knitlightly (HKL)
Nuclear Medicine Technician (NMT)
HKL: After I swallow this pill, I'm worried that I'll puke radioactive shit everywhere.
NMT: Don't puke radioactive shit everywhere.
HKL: Um, Okay. Has anyone ever puked radioactive shit everywhere after this?
NMT: One guy said he did, but I don't believe him because the next day there was quite a bit of radioactive material in his system according to his scan.
HKL: Great. So, what happens if I do puke radioactive shit everywhere?
NMT: You'd have to bring it to me, and I'd wrap it in seventy plastic bags and put it in a lead box for ten months.
HKL: So, if I puked, how do you suggest I transport the puke to you so you can put it in the lead box?
NMT: Not my problem, just bring it to me.
HKL: Seriously?
NMT: Yes. Are you planning on crossing any borders or going to an airport in the next 48 hours?
HKL: No. Why?
NMT: You'd set off alarms at the airport.
HKL: Awesome. So I could go sit in the airport and see what happens just for fun?
NMT: I don't recommend it.
HKL: That would be cool though, wouldn't it?
NMT: Not really.
(The NMT went on to tell me how I should avoid close contact with people and use extra precautions in my toileting activities)
HKL: I have a dog that is like a teenage boy. She tries to jump on me and stick her tongue in my mouth all the time. How do I deal with that?
NMT: There are no legal regulations regarding animals, but your dog has a thyroid, too and I don't recommend contact for 48 hours. After 48 hours you can make out with your dog, have sex,.....pee on people. Whatever.
HKL: Back to business as usual, then. Right?
NMT: Exactly!
I have lots of homework and knitting that I could be doing, but instead I'm sitting at my computer reading blogs and ravelry and waiting until I'm not radioactive anymore. I've seriously thought about how much fun the airport could be right now. I'd bring my knitting.
I am really hoping that this treatment works. I've been trying the medication-only route for about a year now with little success. I had the option to pursue the RAI treatment immediately, but didn't and I guess the reason is I preferred a more conservative approach, initially. After time, it became clear that my thyroid was trying to kill me, so I've killed it instead.
When I was initially diagnosed with Grave's disease, I said, "I hope there's a pill for that."
As it turns out, there is.
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