RAI and 50 Millicuries

[J9700]

Hi there. I have had surgery 2x to remove papillary thy cancer and the last time was 2 yrs ago. Both times not that large and did not spread into lymph nodes. I have finally decided to go through with RAI. I was hesitant 2 yrs ago because of having had a new baby boy and not much help (I have 2 young boys as well). So I am not scheduled yet to go in but, my dr's office called me and sent me the bloodwork tests for pregnancy and also for a marker so we can move forward. They decided on 50 millicuries (not sure how) and the nurse at the office is not telling me much more than I will have to be away from family for 4 days. I just wanted to touch base and see anyone else that has gone through with this. I def cannot stay home. My youngest is now 3 and does not understand staying away from mommy at all (understandably) . I can stay at my aunt and uncles but, they only have one bathroom and I know that a huge part is using the restroom. I would hate to take a chance with getting any radiation into their systems. Any advice..what did you all do and is it 4 days?? thanks

[katbid]

I hated the RAI.  I had 150mcu and had to stay away from my family for 5 days and then an additional three from my 4 year old Grand daughter that I am raising.  I have papillary and follicular variant papillary.  But it true, it depends on the amount you are receiving.  I always like to play it safe anyway when it comes to small kids.  If they told me two weeks, I would have done it just to make sure she is o.k.
Good luck and I hope this zapps any remaining cancer from your body.  

[MANmom]

How about Aunt and Uncle staying at your house while you stay at theirs?  You would be all alone, that would be best.  I had the same, two surgeries, but I was 46 when diagnosed, my kids and husband took a vacation while I was treated.  I had 100 mcu, it depends on how big the biggest tumor was, mine was 1.5 cm, papillary.  You will have to be on a low Iodine diet for a few weeks, starving any remaining thyroid of iodine so that when you get RAI, the thyroid will suck up as much as possible.  My nieghbor at that time was a chemist, he told me that RAI has a half life of about 8 days, but the majority of the radiation will dissipate in two days; every 8 hours it is half as radioactive, so after 48 hours it is pretty much gone.  You could probably see your family after two days as long as you take care not to fix them any food, share a bathroom, or sneeze on them, but follow the nurse/doctors orders.  Most of the radiation is expelled from the body from fluids; urine, sweat, spit, etc. Go to the Thyca.org website for any questions you may have, they have a wealth of information, or just ask us here on the board who have been through it.  Good luck.