RAI

Hi

Im also waiting for RAI but 6-7 week waiting list in the midlands.

When was your surgery? 

I think you usually stay in a few days until your radiation levels have lowered to a reasonable level.

Hi there my surgery was the 7th May and due to Covid there has been a delay with getting to RAI but still within the six month window 

Why are they delaying you?

I had my surgery 30th June and got a call yesterday to say my RAI is in two weeks so now on a low iodine diet.

Keep pushing, you should call health watch and ask advice.

Hello, I had my RAI at The Christie last year. I think the rooms have all just been redecorated by the Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust, but TBH the room was fine. Here are some photos of my room: 
I was in for two nights. I'd followed some guidance on here which said to shower twice a day to help get rid of the radiation and so my levels were pretty low the day after the tablet, and had reduced enough that I didn't need any restrictions when I came home. I had the low dose, so it might be a bit different if you're having a higher dose. I took my ipad and phone in. I think they ask you to leave any magazines in that you take in with you. Clothes wise, just take some comfy pjs/ loungewear and they will give you guidance about how to wash it separately when you get home. 
I don't know if you've read about damage to your saliva glands after RAI? Everything I'd read before told me that the hospital would give you lemons/ sharp sweets to suck. This didn't happen at The Christie and my saliva glands are damaged so I'd recommend that you take some sharp sweets in with you (or lemons) to encourage your saliva glands to work. 
The staff were really lovely.
Hope it all goes ok. 

I think the delay has been due to Covid and because of all the cancers this is considered low risk as long as you have the treatment within six months 

Thank you seeing the room makes me feel better about it. What has happened with your salivary glands? I am having the low dose and when I spoke to the doctor she said there won’t be any damage 

The RAI definitely damaged them, but they do still work. It just means my mouth is dry most of the time so I drink a lot of water, but having a dry mouth means that my gums get sore and I have to look after my teeth a bit more. I've been prescribed a special toothpaste and that seems to be helping. 

Thanks for letting me know. I’ve asked my husband to get me some sherbet lemons ready for going in