Not enough nuclear nurses

Hi Tomo 

I don't know if there is a nationwide shortage of nurses trained to use iodine treatment but have you spoken to your hospital team about having the treatment at a different hospital either in or outside your area. I would have hoped that if your treatment is urgent they would be looking in to ways of getting this done.

If you have a keyworker assigned to you could you give them a call to ask the question if you haven't done previously? If you don't have a keyworker then your consultant's secretary should be able to help you.

Wishing you all the best

x

It's probably a shortage of nuclear medics. They are rather specialised and you can't just substitute them with a random nurse or doctor.  Brexit probably led to some leaving, Covid rates probably mean that a proportion are out of action at any time.

Probably best to get your oncologist on the case to try to find somewhere else. Just keep in mind that you will be restricted on travel options going home afterwards so  it's important to work out the practical aspects of getting home if you have to travel.

I don't recommend doing what my friend did, going home on the train from hospital, walking into a carriage and announcing "Stay away from me. I'm radioactive!"

Thanks for answering, I'm, a little confused I have a consultant nuclear medicine, not knowing if this is the same of oncologist?  I've a brother who will drive me anywhere in the country. 

Hi Latchbrook, many thanks for replying I'm not very good at forums so please excuse me, sorry to hear of your battle with 2 cancers good luck to you. 

Thanks Latchbrook for tips, good luck with all your treatment.  I'm  rubbish getting  to grips with forums lol. 

No need for any apologies Tomo. It takes a while to get used to how the online community works. If you get stuck at all just reply to me and I'll be pleased to try and help 

Hi Latchbrook, thanks, my nuclear consultant is trying his hardest to get my iodine and has been phoning hospitals in sw region. But all are away on holidays, sick ect, I live in Plymouth and got a brother who will drive me anywhere to get treated, but I keep  thinking my mets ect are growing and going to be difficult to treat especially in lungs. I don't feel sorry for myself I am very positive but just feel I have waited a long time to get anymore treatment, I put two fingers up to cancer and want enjoy my time with my wife and family and take what ever the future holds for me on the chin, I wish everyone with our cancers the very best for future setbacks good luck we are not on a journey we are living a nightmare haha lol lo e to all xxxx

Please check with your specialist. It's nice that your brother is willing to drive you but depending on the dose you receive, you may well be instructed not to be in a car with another person for more than 30-60 minutes because your radiation could harm his thyroid. 
Please get advice.

Hi Barbara, thanks for reply I think nuclear dose is 3700? Specialist said it urgent for me to get treated I had my surgery in May, its spread in my lungs regards Tomo