Tuesday was the day! Ablation is the process of taking two radioactive iodine pills and I was ready! I was feeling a little uncertain because I didn't know how the pills would make me feel. Of course, I'm a psycho about vomiting so I was afraid of that happening or maybe passing out because of the high dosage of radioactivity. I was actually okay! A doctor went through some forms with me stating why we were taking the pills, what symptoms would be experienced, and what I needed to do once I got home to protect others. Later, the tech came in carrying two 10 lb. containers that carried my pills. She told me I would have to wear gloves since the pills are sticky. Heck, to get the top of the containers off I had to have the tech help me because they were SO heavy!!!!
The Rules:
Wash hands like a fiend.
Take 2-3 showers a day.
For at least the first 2 or 3 days, stay quarantined in a room and if you come into contact with anyone..you must stay an arm's distance away.
Make sure no one comes into contact with your urine or saliva (clean up after yourself!)
Make sure you have your own bathroom and bedroom to occupy.
No one can kiss you for an entire week!
No one can share utensils with you or eat/ drink after you.
You are not allowed to ride in a car with anyone for over 2 hours (for the first few days).
You can't hug or hold animals or small children.
You must wash your clothes and bedding separately from others for 3-4 days.
Drink tons of water!
Protect your phone by using a paper towel when you talk on it or use speakerphone.
You can't go to work for 2-3 days.
You can't attend public events for first 2 days.
When I got home, I started to feel drained and weak. My hubby was so sweet...he came home for lunch to cook me some steak and broccoli. Unfortunately, the pills attack my salivary glands since they are part of the process of pushing the pills through my body so my face began to swell at my jaw joints (under my ears & affecting my ears as well) and it was hard to eat the steak. I ate it though!
It felt weird having my husband wear gloves to handle my stuff or wash dishes in the bathroom sink! I felt like he was a part of some hazmat team and I had the plague! After lunch, I passed out for about 4 hours. I couldn't get over how drained I felt! Ryan brought home Olive Garden for supper so I was happy, but he had to sit in the hallway to visit with me!
I got on the internet, watched Netflix, and played games to pass the time.
Later Tuesday night..I had trouble sleeping because I felt so nauseous! I really thought I was going to throw up so I did everything in my power to make sure that didn't happen! On top of that, my face had been gradually swelling to the point that I had grown uncomfortable and after dinner Ry had to give me 4 Advil!! I chatted with my bestie and even face-timed her to show her how bad it was and she was shocked!!! I didn't take a picture but I basically looked like this:
Literally, no joke! My face looked so deformed!
The first night was pretty hard BUT I got through it falling asleep to Rocko's Modern Life around 5:30AM (cartoons always get me through somehow!)
Wednesday- The day of my 4th anniversary with Ry and I couldn't even spend it with him because I had to be quarantined!! I was happy because I got to FINALLY be off the low iodine diet and I could get my thyroid medicine in me!! I looked forward to Schlotzsky's for lunch :) The sleep did me good and I felt rejuvenated! I still was stuck in the bedroom watching television but I got to see what the rest of the world was doing through Facebook! Eventually, I felt drained and exhausted again and slept until Ry got home from work. I got to have a choco-cherry love blizzard from DQ!!! I spent most of my time watching the whole entire first season of "The Gates" on Netflix.