Life After RAI

But wait.

I should first narrate what happened BEFORE 

and during RAI to keep everybody updated . . .

This is my hospital suite when I checked in on Sept. 30:

Zeny, the secretary of Dr. Cruz, 

my doctor in nuclear medicine,

promised to reserve the best room for me

possibly out of pity knowing I will be alone

since I told her I will just commute on my own

and paint the time away . . .

Two walls of my square room has windows that overlook Manila.

It was perfect since I can watch the scene outside,

bask in the morning sun,

and watch the stars at night.

Not really.

It was rainy and cloudy most days & nights

except during mornings when the sun greeted me ;-)

And since I did not bring any gadgets

except my old blah phone

which I kept at a distance and checked twice a day

I had no choice but use it to shoot this night and day scene below:

It wasn't all that bad.

As soon as I checked in I was given two hours to fast:

no food, no water for two hours

so I had my lunch right away ;-)

At past 2 PM, the nuclear technologist arrived covered in a thick vest

and wheeled a metal tray where she later took a heavy box

and opened it to reveal a round heavy metal thing

 that looked like a bomb!

In the middle of the round thing was a small container 

where a covered capsule was slowly dropped into my hands.

I have to open the small container that held the capsule, 

and immediately swallow the capsule that contained RAI.

RAI is radioactive iodine therapy to help remove traces of cancer.

(Note: I should inform you that I practiced swallowing meds by now

so it was not much of a hassle)

Then the lady technologist (she looked young and dainty to me)

took out a machine that measured the radioactive levels around me:

"30" she told me. 

"We have to bring it down to '2' before we can release you"

And then she was gone.

And I'm alone.

So I wrote down in my notepad "Day 1"

because my memory was pretty fuzzy lately

and recorded everything: medications, instructions, etc.

For 3 days I followed all the instructions:

I showered three times a day, drank plenty of fluids,

took my medicines: I had to resume my thyroxine tablets

(this replaced my thyroid functions since my thyroids were removed),

1000 mg of calcium carbonate 3x a day, and steroids/painkillers:

150 mg ranitidine and 10 mg of prednisone.

Skip this if it bores you but since I am part of a forum

that deals with thyroids/RAI it may be helpful to the group.

I also did brisk and slow walking 1000 steps around my room,

did some yoga stretching and breathing,

talked to clients and people at work since my room have telephone,

watched TV for news updates and entertainment,

ate heartily even if the food delivered to me were not to my liking,

ordered fresh fruits and yogurts,

changed my bedsheets, pillow cases, etc. every day,

cleaned the sink and flushed the toilets with laundry soap,

wiped everything I touched with alcohol (phone, remote, etc.)

in short, I was determined to bring the radioactive levels down ;-)

And I did! On the 2nd day it was down to '8'

and on the 3rd day it was '2' and I was told I can go home

after they did a body scan ;-)

When I left the hospital, my level was down to '.5'!!!!

I did not have burning sensations in my throat,

no vomiting sensations, no dehydrations,

no aches or pains in my body,

no boredom, no dramas.

I packed my stuff, paid my bills,

called a cab and went home on my own.

I already informed all of Heaven (my home)

that I can not be near them for two weeks.

I stayed in my bedroom, had separate utensils,

washed my clothes and utensils,

continued my walking and yoga,

continued my thyroxine and calcium carbonate meds,

drink plenty of water, eat fruits, pray and think happy thoughts.

I am surviving

one day at a time . . .

I know all of your prayers helped

all of your positive energies sent my way

are helping me cope.

Some Sidelights:

I was awakened at midnight on the 3rd day in the hospital thinking I heard my dog Sweepy calling for me. I always get awakened by Sweepy at home whenever there are intruders etc. So I got up and looked down on the streets below and saw a scavenger and her dog, rummaging through the trash bins. Suffice it to say, I called/begged the nurse (we communicate by telephone) and ordered food for the dog and companion and the nurses (when I found out that the nurses work on 24 hour shifts!) who kindly went down and bought the food himself! It does not cost much to feed and comfort animals and people for a day. I mean really. . . 

Another Sidelight:

Last Wednesday (Oct. 9), I had a hard time breathing at dawn at home. I thought I was going to die. Good thing I heard my sister Loyd in the hallway and she immediately called the village ambulance and I was whisked back to the hospital's ER at 3 AM! They checked my vital signs and told me I do not need to be admitted. So I waited in the hospital with Loyd until my doctors clinic hours at 10 AM! Apparently, I have to look out for slow metabolism so I need not panic, check foods that cause allergies (I really have to watch out for milk and some dairy foods) that clogs my throat and create mucus congestion. Otherwise, I really have to constantly remind myself that even if I look and feel OK, I am not really OK. My body needs to be healed slowly and I must constantly watch myself.

I am OK most days.

I get forgetful and I laugh at myself silly.

Heaven laughs with me

and tickles me whenever I pass by . . .

I knew Heaven will always be OK

just as I am.

And look:

My hounds will stay close

and keep watch 

of Heaven

and me.

Next week, I can resume normal activity.

Go to work, meet people,

but stay 1 meter away from them

(so no beso-beso: kisses and hugs!)

and try to stay 2 hours at most with them.

Someday, I will look back

and not be forgetful

and not be so tired

and be Heaven's Keeper once again . . .