Question about RAI for a friend who is staying in a condo after

[cody12]

I just spoke to a friend of my cousin who was just diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. She was told that she can go home after her RAI treatment. She decided that she will rent a condo for 10 days because of her family, instead of coming home. My concern with that is that things in the condo will be contaminated and the people who stay there after her will have no idea and they may be exposed. What does she need to do to protect the people who will be using the condo after her? Is this a good idea?

[shannon828]

Thank you so much, great information!!!  What did you have to do about your period?  I am supposed to replace my NuvaRing on Saturday and am having RAI on Friday.  Am wondering if I should just replace after two weeks instead of one...

[imedicmommy]

Just for the record. I was told both times with RAI NOT to use disposable plates etc. The radiation is in your saliva and goes into the landfill where it can be picked up by radioactive detectors....an expensive search. I was told that the type of radiation they use for RAI is water soluable (sp?) and that utensils, cups etc I used needed to go into the dishwasher and the water there would take care of it. They also warned against eating stuff like apples and chicken on the bone for the same reason. Everything needed to be able to go in the dishwasher or down the disposal. I was also given very specific instructions on what to do if I got my period during this time (which I did the first time). I also laundered all my clothing and sheets separately. Hospitals have mechanisms for getting rid of nuclear waste safely which is why they use all the plastic stuff. We don't have that at home.
The reason it can go into the wastewater is that it get's so diluted by the time it hits the sewer system, that is basically harmless.

[mw1943]

Hi I bought my plastic sheet and pillow covers at wal mart.

[AR-10]

The thing to do would be to cover the mattress with plastic and then put a sheet over it. Same with the pillows. At some point you will sweat through the sheets/pillo cases.

I suppose you can get rubber-backed sheets, but finding them may be a problem.

I slept in the guest bedroom, and that mattress was contaminated when I got done with it. It won't be used for six months anyway, so it should be fine by then.

[shannon828]

Anyone know where I can get plastic sheets?

[cody12]

Thanks Shannon for that link!!

[cody12]

I agree with you. In fact, I was very concerned when she told me that she was going to stay in a condo. I thought most people stayed in the hospital for the first day or two. I agree that she should cover all of the furniture and the bed and pillows with plastic. Covering the remote with plastic is a very good idea. I also think that she should bring her own phone.

Going there before to cover everything in plastic is an excellent idea!!

[blksapphire]

I agree with what everyone else has said.  However, since you are going to these places to protect your love ones, what about the pregnant woman or child that comes to those  places after you.

Please, please cover everything. Buy glove, platic forks and spoons, papet plates. cover the remote with platic and tape it down.  By all means, make sure to do this prior to the treatment.  Whatever books or items you bring to keep you occupied, make to dispose of them before you go home.  Buy lots of water and sour candy.   You will need the sour candy to keep your glands going.

I for one stayed at home.  I carefully fixed my room and no one was allowed in. I purchased magazines and books, which I tossed once it was over.

Treat the condo as if your family member will go into that place after you leave.

I hope this helps...in addition to whats already been written
Take care

[shannon828]

I am also using rented accomodations following my RAI on Friday since I have a small child at home.  The Thyca website has all of the guidelines and ultimately there should be no safety hazard after one week.  I have my accomodations for a week, by this time all of the RAI will be out of my system and I will be perfectly safe to have around.  I also plan to bring my own bed linens and towels for my stay and to launder them all seperately as well as bringing paper plates and plastic utenils and disposing of them seperatetly from other trash.  She should definitely clean the bathroom herself with bleach on her last day.  Since she will be taking all of her waste with her, there really should be no threat to the next tenants.

See here for more info:
http://www.thyca.org/rai.htm

[KelDC]

The doctors tell everyone who is going home to follow certain protocols, including using all disposable utensils and plates.  The toilet should be flushed twice after each use for at least a week afterwards, and it should be cleaned after each usage. As should the shower.  Launder all clothing, towels, and bedding separately for two weeks. Thyca.org's website has a lot of the guidelines listed, and it's really helpful.

90% of the radioactivity is excreted from your system in the first 2 days.  

I'm having my RAI on Friday...

[pep88]

The hospital that I stayed in had plastic lining covering EVERYTHING including down into the toilet!  I would think people with septic systems would see the ground around their property glowing for at least 6 months...  Not to make light of it...

[cody12]

Thanks!! I agree with everything that you say. I am very concerned about the people who will be staying there after her. I also want her to clean the bathroom and kitchen herself before she leaves. I also think that she should use disposable utensils and plates.

I was thinking about what you said about the waste treatment plants. I wonder how this affects people who have a septic system??

[pep88]

Plastic coverings for EVERYTHING!  I sat on garbage bags and I wore rubber gloves for just about everything including my computer time for about 3 days.   And this was AFTER my hospital stay for three days.  Unless your friend is very careful, there could be exposure to the next people who rent this condo.  But, if you take into consideration that the bulk of the radiation gets excreted as "waste" into our sewer system, I guess I'd also be equally as worried for the people at treatment plants. :-O