Total Body Scan/RAI Therapy

What a week it has been!

Monday began my three-day process of testing and treatment for the cancer that was found during my thyroid removal surgery. Let me bring you through the events of the week.

Monday – the easy day – all I had to do was go in and take a pill. This pill was a small trace of radioactive iodine which would allow the camera to pick up any traces of cancer or leftover tissue that was left from the surgery. I went in, took the pill, and essentially went home.

Tuesday – Day One of the Total Body Scan. If you are unfamiliar with what a TBS (total body scan) is, they lay you on a table, raise it up, and lower a camera (a huge box measuring about 36″x36″) down over your head. There is about a 1/2″ to 1″ gap between you and the camera. For about 30 minutes it slowly moves from your head to your feet, while you lay perfectly still. Then, they did a 10 minute picture of just my neck to check for the residual tissue…all in all the scan took just about an hour from start to finish.

After the scan, I had to talk to a physicist/radiation safety officer to go over some precautions on how to manage life for the first few days after the treatment. I have to admit, some of the precautions are hilarious (most of which I will not share, unless you want to know). Basically, I had to stay a safe distance away from people for about 4-5 days, make sure I drank plenty of fluids, have a hard candy once every hour, wash my clothes separately (which I have done since I was 14), etc. They told me VERY little tissue was found and they were going to treat me with 75 mci’s of the iodine (it could have been up to 250 mci’s, so praise God for that news!). They also told me because of how little they did find, they only expected 10-15% of that 75 mci’s to be used to get rid of the tissue. This is VERY good news, and an answer to prayer.

Wednesday – I had to go in for another body scan, to make sure nothing was missed on the first scan. If they found anything additional, they would have to increase the amount of iodine. Well, praise God, nothing additional was found. I waited for a doctor, took my treatment pill, and went home.

Another prayer that I had was that there would be no adverse side effects experienced from the treatment. This is where I despise the internet. Sometimes, we read things to try to get ourselves prepared…and sometimes it can cause us unneccessary worry. The only things I had were a dry mouth, a little nausea, and I was really tired.

The doctor may not FULLY see the results of this treatment for 6 months to 1 year, and I will have to have this test again during that time frame at some point. But, I know I serve a God that is bigger than my circumstances, that in His name I am claiming my healing, and that this “speed bump” in my life will be used for His honor and His glory!

So, it is Thursday, the day after treatment, and I am in my house until Saturday, possibly Sunday. The outpouring of love, prayers, support, and encouragement have been overwhelming. I am so unbelievably blessed to be a part of the body of Christ. Coming home yesterday, the song “Our God” by Chris Tomlin was playing on the radio. “Our God is healer, awesome in power…” I almost started to cry…almost. To feel God’s presence, even on that exam table, as He held me in His arms, was amazing. THANK YOU does not seem adequate enough for your prayers, love, and encouragement. The best thing though is my relationship with dairy resumes tomorrow at 8am! HA!

Please know I love you all and am praying for each and every one of you as well…2011 will be an amazing year in Him!