I went in for my 2nd thyrogen shot yesterday. He said the thyrogen injections are supposed to stimulate whatever stray thyroid cells there are (both thyroids were removed last year) so that they will show up on the scan. Everything was going OK but then the endocrinologist, Dr. Rabinowe tells me I need to go and get a thyroglobulin panel blood test before I get the radioactive pill today at 11:30 AM. Oh good grief! It would have been very nice if he had mentioned this before so that I could have gone to the Navy doctors and gotten the authorization. The red tape for our insurance can be sticky. Ah well. We had to travel to the Great Lakes Naval Base to ask if I could come in for the blood test this morning. They said it would be OK. Thank goodness! As my husband said about this whole thing...."Two steps forward, one step back..."
You know, I can see why this doctor (He's an outside doctor and not one of the military ones that I usually go to.) had such bad reviews from some people. His office is rather disorganized and often give incorrect information and he does not have the best of bedside manners. However, he seems knowledgeable so if you can put up with the rest, you might be OK.
Still……….. after tomorrow’s pill and the two scans and one more appointment with Dr. Rabinowe next week for the results, I’ll be done! DONE!!! Woohoo!
After I take the radioactive pill tomorrow, I cannot touch my granddaughter for 48 hours. That’s going to be very hard indeed. Watching her delight and carrying her about has kept my spirits high. It will be the longest 48 hours for me before I can hold her again.
What a maze of medical folks they're putting you through before getting your treatment, Kay. I hope you'll be done with all these medical persons soon. It's a shame you won't be able to hold your grand daughter for 48 hours, but at least you can delight in watching her nearby. Here's to the 48 hours going quickly.
ReplyDeleteShe is adorable. I hope the 48 hours passes quickly. Unfortunately, doctors and such are just humans, but there job is so much more critical than most, and it seems like they ought to be perfect. I'm glad they let you know in time to get the permission. It is worse when you have to fight the battle after the fact.
ReplyDeletethere's always some problem to test us and help us develop more strength and patience. when my last son was born, his dad had had thyroid radioactive treatment and couldn't hold his new son. that was a real test. but as a grandmother of mine used to say... this too will pass. you can still play with your grand daughter just no holding. that will be tricky to explain to her...
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cute photograph. It's too bad you have to go through such a lot of medical treatment just now, but fingers (and everything) crossed that it all goes smoothly.
ReplyDeleteIn my family we talk about "hospital time" or "doctor's office time." It seems to run a little differently from patient time. I have teased my son, a doctor, about this and he doesn't dispute it. He just reminds me that
ReplyDeletewe all do the best we can.
My sincere best wishes for an excellent prognosis.
Kay..I have had that thyroid test and they told me not to pet the cats either. Geesh.....
ReplyDeleteThank you everybody, I have loved all your comments and am so very appreciative of your kind words.
ReplyDeleteMichelle: Not pet the cat either? Oh gosh!
I'm feeling somewhat groggy and not tip top tonight, but the technician told me I shouldn't have many side effects. I've just been pumped with two injections of thyrogen, been given a radioative pill and I should feel just fine? And now I have to take a bowel cleanser for tomorrow's scan. Yuuuck.......
Two more days till I'm done....two more days until I'm done... two more days.....
Well sounds like you have been going through some time with the thyroid not reading back in your post i am wondering what kind of thyroid problem you have? I have what they call Graves desease. I too took the pills.
ReplyDeleteAnyway your granddaughter is very cute
lilli&nevada: I had both my thyroids removed last year because they found a large lump on one side and a bunch of small calcified lumps in the other. They did find cancer in the large lump although it was very small. What I am going through is a body scan to find stray thyroid cells that might still have been left behind. If you look at my home page, find the link to Brit'Gal because she's got Graves disease also.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your compliment. She is cute, that's for sure. :-)
I just read that radioactivity treatments can sometimes show up on airport scanners. Just to be sure, you need to have a note from your doctor's office with the date and kind of radiation. The effects can last for quite a while; you might want to check it out. I'd hate for you to get stuck at the airport.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "heads up," Jo! Wouldn't that be terrible if I got stopped on my way to Hawaii?
ReplyDeleteAs I'm reading this now, I think the 48 hours are up-- that would be agonizing not to be able to touch your precious granddaughter. Hope it all goes well.
ReplyDelete