Second round of RAI

Hey Sarah, 

Sorry to hear you're feeling a bit grotty at the moment, that's probably an understatement... 

Your body has been through a lot in quite a short space of time, both overall and just recently. The surgery in March will have used up a lot of energy reserves to heal from; and you may also be hitting the second anaesthetic slump at the moment. What that means is, when you have surgery, some of the anaesthetic is absorbed by your fat cells. This is only released when those fat cells are broken down which usually takes two to three months. So once broken down, they release the anaesthetic into your body and you feel sleepy and knackered for a while until it is metabolised and broken down.

On top of that, you've just had RAI for the second time. (Can your Dr run bloods yet? Does your yellow discharge card say its OK?) The effect of the RAI is cumulative, and after each dose you'll feel worse than you did after the last one. Again, it takes a decent amount of energy to recover from what is essentially a very low case of radiation poisoning. With RAI, the rest of your body isn't poisoned to the extent chemo poisons you, but there is still an effect there. So again, your body needs to heal and recover. But energy reserves were mostly depleted from surgery, so you'll be feeling knackered. As the phrase goes, there's nothing left in the tank.

Then there's your bloods. The radiation can affect them in multiple ways. I wouldn't be surprised if perhaps your Vitamin D and folate levels had dipped a bit. Easily fixed with a tablet for each if they have. 

So there are plenty of reasons as to why you could be feeling as you are, but I'm afraid only time will tell which it is. But eat healthily, be kind to yourself, nap when you need to, and hopefully it'll pass either on its own or with any required supplements. But I'd def ask your Dr to sign you off for another couple of weeks and see how you go. 

Best of luck and shout if you need anything! 

Lass

Xx

Dear Lass,

I've just come across this reply to Sarah and I cant tell you how much I appreciate it!

I've recently had a second dose of RAI and I've been feeling pretty awful ever since. Someone had said to me before that "double the dose (which is what I had of the RAI) doesn't necessarily mean double the symptoms!" so I've been wondering if it's something else, or I'm just being weak but honestly most days I feel really rough, extremely tired, heart racing, amongst other things - fortunately the terrible nausea I had at first has mostly gone now and also my sense of taste is coming back. I'm trying to keep positive that this will pass and the results will say that the second dose of RAI has been worth it!

Thank you again and best wishes xx