Cancer Survivors Network - Comments for "prep for radioactive iodine treatment" Comments for "prep for radioactive iodine treatment" en-csn Thankyou both for this <p>Thankyou both for this information, it has been very helpful. &nbsp;I can't deny feeling a little scared about this, but I'm putting all my faith in God, I'm sure He'll get me thru this. &nbsp;Thanks a lot! God bless :)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:21:54 +0000 evamommyof4 comment 1375870 at You are welcome <p>Arlene,</p> <p>You're welcome.&nbsp; I was in the same boat as you since I was home alone and just stayed away from people for a couple of weeks.</p> <p>Alan</p> Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:34:29 +0000 Baldy comment 1375710 at Thank you <p>You are correct, Alan...thank you for making things clear.&nbsp; I didn't have to deal with most of these issues because both times I've done the 1-131, 11 years ago and again this past year, I lived alone and it was not a problem.&nbsp; Family and friends just stayed away for a new grandson and his parents were not around for almost 3 weeks.</p> <p>Again, Thank you, Alan, this was a great explanation.</p> <p>Arlene</p> Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:29:52 +0000 ark comment 1375346 at Precautions <p>Disinfect is NOT the correct way to be looking at this.&nbsp; Radioactive Iodine (RAI) cann't be killed.&nbsp; The precautions are in place because RAI (or I-131) is a two edged sword.&nbsp; In very large amounts, it will destroy thyroid cells.&nbsp; In very small amounts, it could cause thyroid cancer.&nbsp; It does both these things by being absorbed by a&nbsp;thyroid cell and then decaying which emits radiation.&nbsp; If only one or two of the iodine atoms in a cell are I-131, the cell could mutate into cancer.&nbsp; If all the iodine atoms in the cell are I-131 this kills the cell so that it can't mutate into cancer or if it is already cancerous to begin with.</p> <p>The object isn't to disinfect surfaces, it's to remove any traces of I-131 from any surfaces and flush it down the toilet or wash it down the drain.&nbsp; Most (98%-99%) of the&nbsp;I-131 you ingest when you take the treatment, will be expelled from your body in your urine within 24 to 48 hours.&nbsp; It's very important to urinate sitting down if you are a man, and flush three times when you're done for the first three days or so.&nbsp; Of the rest, some will be absorbed by thyroid cells, {the "percent uptake" the body scan report will talk about,} the rest will be expelled by your body&nbsp;in your sweat or feces.&nbsp; Because of the sweat, it's also&nbsp;important to do your own laundry.&nbsp; You may also want to rinse off the laundry basket in the shower and&nbsp;sponge the mouth of the washing machine down good.&nbsp; Water will work just as well as anything.</p> <p>I-131 atoms cann't be killed because they aren't alive to begin with.&nbsp; Wiping the bathroom down with bleach won't do any good.&nbsp; Sponging it down with water and constantly renewing the sponge would be much more effective.&nbsp; Sorry to harp on this, but I think it's a very important point to make.</p> <p>Alan</p> <p>PS The option of going to a motel after taking I-131 has been discussed here before.&nbsp; Most of the people here&nbsp;say it's not a good thing to do because the motel staff isn't aware of the risks you're subjecting them to.&nbsp; Perhaps a better idea would be for your husband and children to go to the motel.</p> Sat, 01 Jun 2013 03:11:12 +0000 Baldy comment 1375332 at No sharing <p>My personal opinion is that it will just get that is.&nbsp; You MUST have a bathroom for your own use ONLY...or be determined to disinfect each and every time you use it, that means every place you touch.&nbsp;&nbsp;The toilet must be flushed at least 3 times each use by you and then cleaned too.&nbsp; Get a box of Nitrile gloves at Walmart or local pharmacy and use always when in rooms where your other family members might be apt to touch things after you.&nbsp; The kitchen...set aside cook ware, plate, cup, glass, flatware, just for your personal one else should touch.&nbsp; Wash them carfully in the sink, then disinfect the sink.&nbsp; This goes for towels, sheets and anything else that may be normally used or touched by others in the house.&nbsp; Wash your things, clothing and linens and such seperately, then run the machine empty with bleach only.</p> <p>If at all possible, get some help from your local church or other charity and get a motel room for those days.&nbsp; Stock up on food and anything you may need for the number of days the doc says to stay isolated.&nbsp; This is REALLY the best way.</p> <p>Did they explain to you why the isolation is so important?&nbsp; It was not explained to me the first time I went through this an it is extremely important to your family that you be very careful.</p> <p>Hope all goes well, and ask me anything you'd like.&nbsp; If I can't help, maybe someone else here can.</p> Fri, 31 May 2013 03:57:53 +0000 ark comment 1374905 at