A hybrid single photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) camera can accurately determine and locate the spread of cancer cells to nearby lymph nodes, say researchers from the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
Great! This means that doctors should now, I hope, be able to accurately distinguish between cancerous cells in regional lymph nodes and normal residual thyroid tissue directly after surgery.
Here’s the link to the article: http://72.14.235.132/search?q=cache:hbRLDGkGpZUJ:www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/134371.php+thyroid+cancer+new+study+2009+2008&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&client=firefox-a
Btw, teknologi apa ya yang sekarang dipakai di Indonesia untuk menangani kanker tiroid?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
time to see my doctor
Took my blood tests for T3, T4, TSH and Tg on Monday. The results should be ready this morning, hopefully, so i can see my doctor in the afternoon. Been wondering if the three kilos extra i gained in the past three weeks, and the frequent hypothermia, has anything to do with my not taking thyroxine since first week of December...
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Alive and kicking
So, after abandoning this blog (busy, lazy, and of course, facebook addiction) for a long time, here are some updates:
1. I've been taking Thyroxine for almost three years now. During the first several months i took the pill every morning. But then my surgeon told me in detail about when and how to take the pill so it will work efficiently. I was told that i should 'fast' for at least six hours before taking the pill. By fasting he meant that i did not eat or drink for six hours straight. And i should refrain from eating or drinking for at least one hour afterward. The body will absorb (and process?) the substance optimally when it's empty. I followed his advice and my blood test results got better.
2. During the first year after surgery i undertake the blood test every three months and the whole body scan (with iodine) plus USG on my neck every six months. My surgeon adjusted the tests schedule on the second year to twice a year for the all the tests. Thanked God, the costs of the tests are not darn expensive at my favorite hospital... Btw, I don't enjoy the whole body scan. well it's not supposed to be a recreational experience, i know. it's just that i find it more irritating than the other tests. that's because i almost always feel nauseous during the whole body scan as i must lie still for about 15-20 minutes with my neck propped up with a pillow, resulting in my head rested in a very uncomfortable position. Having visited the nuclear medicine unit regularly (for the tests) in the past three years, i found new friends there.. nice lah.
3. My doctor has found the ideal dosage of thyroxine for me: one and a half tablets. I think the dosage works well. I don't have serious complaints, i think. The thing, or change, i noticed occurred not long after the surgery is i become forgetful. My dear, greatest man in the world, hubby has come to terms with my forgetfullness... He'd remind me to do something that few minutes earlier i said/planned to do. Worse, I forget names, words. Very often I just forget the name of an item (while i can 'see' the item clearly in my mind). I also often couldn't finish my sentences because i lost/forget/completely blank on some verbs or adjectives!!! No problems with my physical condition. No heavy sweating. Stable weight. No fatigue.
4. My last whole body scan and blood test were last year. Results of blood test were good. The scan, however, showed few cancer cells remained, though did not spread to other parts of my body, thanked God. But the news that the cells had not been completely destroyed during the RAI treatment in late 2005 was hard to swallow. Doctors at the nuclear dept recommended another RAI session. But my surgeon said that was unnecessary. He said regular tests and scans would do to monitor any spread. I hope he's making the right decision. I don't mind undergoing another boring RAI session as long as it can kill all the remaining bad cells for good!
5. My next appointment with my surgeon is in February or March 2009. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy my days. I asked him last year about the prospect of thyroid cancer survivors. He said I'll go through a period doctors called "the grace period" of five years. If the cells do not regrow, or spread, then I will be declared "cured". Don't worry lah, he told me. He said many of his thyroid cancer patients continued living for up to 20 years. I hope I can live long enough to see my daughter grow up and repay her and my husband's love and kindness.
btw, i hope i can make myself more useful to other thyroid cancer patients, survivors or families. i'd like to meet them and share my experience, but haven't found one. I just joined the Light of Life Thyroid Cancer Survivor and the Thyroid Cancer Awareness groups on Facebook yesterday. i hope to meet others there...
1. I've been taking Thyroxine for almost three years now. During the first several months i took the pill every morning. But then my surgeon told me in detail about when and how to take the pill so it will work efficiently. I was told that i should 'fast' for at least six hours before taking the pill. By fasting he meant that i did not eat or drink for six hours straight. And i should refrain from eating or drinking for at least one hour afterward. The body will absorb (and process?) the substance optimally when it's empty. I followed his advice and my blood test results got better.
2. During the first year after surgery i undertake the blood test every three months and the whole body scan (with iodine) plus USG on my neck every six months. My surgeon adjusted the tests schedule on the second year to twice a year for the all the tests. Thanked God, the costs of the tests are not darn expensive at my favorite hospital... Btw, I don't enjoy the whole body scan. well it's not supposed to be a recreational experience, i know. it's just that i find it more irritating than the other tests. that's because i almost always feel nauseous during the whole body scan as i must lie still for about 15-20 minutes with my neck propped up with a pillow, resulting in my head rested in a very uncomfortable position. Having visited the nuclear medicine unit regularly (for the tests) in the past three years, i found new friends there.. nice lah.
3. My doctor has found the ideal dosage of thyroxine for me: one and a half tablets. I think the dosage works well. I don't have serious complaints, i think. The thing, or change, i noticed occurred not long after the surgery is i become forgetful. My dear, greatest man in the world, hubby has come to terms with my forgetfullness... He'd remind me to do something that few minutes earlier i said/planned to do. Worse, I forget names, words. Very often I just forget the name of an item (while i can 'see' the item clearly in my mind). I also often couldn't finish my sentences because i lost/forget/completely blank on some verbs or adjectives!!! No problems with my physical condition. No heavy sweating. Stable weight. No fatigue.
4. My last whole body scan and blood test were last year. Results of blood test were good. The scan, however, showed few cancer cells remained, though did not spread to other parts of my body, thanked God. But the news that the cells had not been completely destroyed during the RAI treatment in late 2005 was hard to swallow. Doctors at the nuclear dept recommended another RAI session. But my surgeon said that was unnecessary. He said regular tests and scans would do to monitor any spread. I hope he's making the right decision. I don't mind undergoing another boring RAI session as long as it can kill all the remaining bad cells for good!
5. My next appointment with my surgeon is in February or March 2009. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy my days. I asked him last year about the prospect of thyroid cancer survivors. He said I'll go through a period doctors called "the grace period" of five years. If the cells do not regrow, or spread, then I will be declared "cured". Don't worry lah, he told me. He said many of his thyroid cancer patients continued living for up to 20 years. I hope I can live long enough to see my daughter grow up and repay her and my husband's love and kindness.
btw, i hope i can make myself more useful to other thyroid cancer patients, survivors or families. i'd like to meet them and share my experience, but haven't found one. I just joined the Light of Life Thyroid Cancer Survivor and the Thyroid Cancer Awareness groups on Facebook yesterday. i hope to meet others there...
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
First week with Thyrax
Outreagously excessive sweating, that's the worst thing I experienced throughout the first week of taking Thyrax.
Menyebalkan sekali, keringetan terus. Bahkan diam dalam ruang ber-AC pun gue tetep aja basah kuyup, literally basah kuyup.
Tapi, ada efek positifnya juga sih dari keringetan heboh gitu. Berat badan gue turun at least sekilo dalam waktu kurang dari seminggu.
Selain keringetan, gue juga cepet merasa lelah.
Mungkinkan dosisnya kurang tepat? Kalau dosis tidak tepat, yg terjadi ya gue bakal ngalami hal2 yg biasanya jadi pertanda underactive thyroid, seperti cepat lelah dan keringat berlebih itu.
Menyebalkan sekali, keringetan terus. Bahkan diam dalam ruang ber-AC pun gue tetep aja basah kuyup, literally basah kuyup.
Tapi, ada efek positifnya juga sih dari keringetan heboh gitu. Berat badan gue turun at least sekilo dalam waktu kurang dari seminggu.
Selain keringetan, gue juga cepet merasa lelah.
Mungkinkan dosisnya kurang tepat? Kalau dosis tidak tepat, yg terjadi ya gue bakal ngalami hal2 yg biasanya jadi pertanda underactive thyroid, seperti cepat lelah dan keringat berlebih itu.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Thyrax forever
Following up the RAI-131 ablation, the doctor prescribed me with Thyrax, a thyroid hormone replacement drug. One tablet a day, for the rest of my life.
As a consequence of ablation, I got rid of my remaining 'cancer plagued' thyroid gland (the other one was taken away in the previous surgery). My body, however, lost its capacity to produce thyroid hormone.
So, Thyrax (also known in other countries as Levothyroxine) is taken to replace my body's natural thyroid hormone. Thyrax contains the synthetic form of one thyroid hormone, T4, which is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the thyroid and is important for normal energy and metabolism.
More info on Thyrax/Levothyroxine, see:
http://www.drugs.com/xq/cfm/pageID_0/htm_D00278A1.htm/bn_levothyroxine/qx/index.htm
As a consequence of ablation, I got rid of my remaining 'cancer plagued' thyroid gland (the other one was taken away in the previous surgery). My body, however, lost its capacity to produce thyroid hormone.
So, Thyrax (also known in other countries as Levothyroxine) is taken to replace my body's natural thyroid hormone. Thyrax contains the synthetic form of one thyroid hormone, T4, which is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the thyroid and is important for normal energy and metabolism.
More info on Thyrax/Levothyroxine, see:
http://www.drugs.com/xq/cfm/pageID_0/htm_D00278A1.htm/bn_levothyroxine/qx/index.htm
RAI-131 ablation - aftermath
Hari ini pas seminggu gue pulang dari rumah sakit setelah ablasi.
Leher gue masih bengkak tuh ternyata. Gak segede lehernya Tyson sih, ukurannya udah jauh lebih sopan dibanding bengkak waktu hari ketiga di rumah sakit minggu lalu. Tapi efeknya jauh lebih menyebalkan.
Gue belum bisa mendongakkan leher/kepala. Noleh ke kiri atawa kanan juga susah. Bahu harus ikut diserong ke kiri or kanan kalo mau nengok. Tidur juga harus cari2 posisi leher yg tepat, biar gak serasa kecekek.
Makan and minum gak ada enaknya karena susah banget untuk nelan. Nafsu makan udah sejak dari di rumah sakit menghilang entah kemana. Porsi makan yg biasanya gak ketulungan, sekarang jadi super sedikit, itupun sering kali gak abis.
Tapi ada blessing in disguise-nya buat gue. Berat badan gue jadi turun dengan cepat. Kurang dari 2 minggu lalu, berat badan gue masih 60 kg. Kemarin gue timbang tinggal 57 kg. Padahal, berat badan gue tuh udah stagnan di 60kg sejak akhir tahun lalu.
Bagus juga. Jadi gue gak perlu beli baju baru, baju lama tinggal di keluarkan dari gudang he he he he.
Suami gue juga seneng soalnya gak usah keluar duit buat beliin baju natal, kan tinggal pake baju cantik yg gue pake natal 3 or 4 years ago. Baju natal tahun lalu kayaknya gak bisa dipakai soalnya sekarang jadi kegedean...
Leher gue masih bengkak tuh ternyata. Gak segede lehernya Tyson sih, ukurannya udah jauh lebih sopan dibanding bengkak waktu hari ketiga di rumah sakit minggu lalu. Tapi efeknya jauh lebih menyebalkan.
Gue belum bisa mendongakkan leher/kepala. Noleh ke kiri atawa kanan juga susah. Bahu harus ikut diserong ke kiri or kanan kalo mau nengok. Tidur juga harus cari2 posisi leher yg tepat, biar gak serasa kecekek.
Makan and minum gak ada enaknya karena susah banget untuk nelan. Nafsu makan udah sejak dari di rumah sakit menghilang entah kemana. Porsi makan yg biasanya gak ketulungan, sekarang jadi super sedikit, itupun sering kali gak abis.
Tapi ada blessing in disguise-nya buat gue. Berat badan gue jadi turun dengan cepat. Kurang dari 2 minggu lalu, berat badan gue masih 60 kg. Kemarin gue timbang tinggal 57 kg. Padahal, berat badan gue tuh udah stagnan di 60kg sejak akhir tahun lalu.
Bagus juga. Jadi gue gak perlu beli baju baru, baju lama tinggal di keluarkan dari gudang he he he he.
Suami gue juga seneng soalnya gak usah keluar duit buat beliin baju natal, kan tinggal pake baju cantik yg gue pake natal 3 or 4 years ago. Baju natal tahun lalu kayaknya gak bisa dipakai soalnya sekarang jadi kegedean...
My RAI-131 ablation experience - Discharged
30 Nov 10 am My RAI-131 ablation experience – Discharged
Kadar radioaktif gue dari jarak 30cm pagi ini kembali turun ke 20mCI. Gue dibolehin pulang siang ini. Cihuy! My little darling, mom’s coming home.
Eh, tapi, biar pulang ke rumah tetep aja gue harus jaga jarak fisik dari orang2 di rumah.
Gue diharuskan pisah kamar dari anak, dan pisah ranjang dari suami, selama sekurangnya 1 minggu.
Gue juga harus membatasi kontak fisik dengan orang dewasa selama minimal 1 minggu dan 2 minggu dengan anak-anak dan wanita hamil.
Tapi lebih enak mengisolasi diri di rumah daripada sendirian di ruang isolasi rumah sakit, ya toh.
Kadar radioaktif gue dari jarak 30cm pagi ini kembali turun ke 20mCI. Gue dibolehin pulang siang ini. Cihuy! My little darling, mom’s coming home.
Eh, tapi, biar pulang ke rumah tetep aja gue harus jaga jarak fisik dari orang2 di rumah.
Gue diharuskan pisah kamar dari anak, dan pisah ranjang dari suami, selama sekurangnya 1 minggu.
Gue juga harus membatasi kontak fisik dengan orang dewasa selama minimal 1 minggu dan 2 minggu dengan anak-anak dan wanita hamil.
Tapi lebih enak mengisolasi diri di rumah daripada sendirian di ruang isolasi rumah sakit, ya toh.
My RAI-131 ablation experience - Radiation level
29 Nov 11 am My RAI-131 ablation experience – Radiation level
Level radioactive di badan gue diukur lagi pagi tadi. Hasilnya sudah lebih bagus dari kemarin.
Kadar radioaktif dari jarak 30cm turun ke 25.4mCi tadi pagi dari 31mCi kemarin pagi. Dari jarak 1m turun ke sekitar 5mCi dari 8mCi kemarin pagi. Dari jarak 2-3m tinggal 1mCi.
I’m glad. The results mean I’ll be very soon radioactive-free and will likely be discharged tomorrow.
Level radioactive di badan gue diukur lagi pagi tadi. Hasilnya sudah lebih bagus dari kemarin.
Kadar radioaktif dari jarak 30cm turun ke 25.4mCi tadi pagi dari 31mCi kemarin pagi. Dari jarak 1m turun ke sekitar 5mCi dari 8mCi kemarin pagi. Dari jarak 2-3m tinggal 1mCi.
I’m glad. The results mean I’ll be very soon radioactive-free and will likely be discharged tomorrow.
My RAI-131 ablation experience - Swelling neck
29 Nov 8 am My RAI-131 ablation experience – Swelling neck
Leher gue semakin membengkak dan menyebalkan sepanjang kemarin sore dan tadi malam.
Nelan ludah or makanan jadi susah. Dan, karena tenggorokan juga ikutan serek dan gatal, kalau pas batuk leher jadi sedikit nyeri and dada sakit.
Perawat bilang swelling neck gak perlu dikawatirkan and gak perlu obat, kecuali bener2 menyiksa. Leher bengkak itu normal dalam ablasi, kata mereka.
Tidur semalam bener2 gak nyaman. Rasa mau muntah dan saluran napas yg seperti kejepit akibat leher Tyson ini bikin gue terbangun terus.
Eh, tapi, pagi ini, bengkaknya ternyata udah turun secara dramatis. Horee…
Leher gue semakin membengkak dan menyebalkan sepanjang kemarin sore dan tadi malam.
Nelan ludah or makanan jadi susah. Dan, karena tenggorokan juga ikutan serek dan gatal, kalau pas batuk leher jadi sedikit nyeri and dada sakit.
Perawat bilang swelling neck gak perlu dikawatirkan and gak perlu obat, kecuali bener2 menyiksa. Leher bengkak itu normal dalam ablasi, kata mereka.
Tidur semalam bener2 gak nyaman. Rasa mau muntah dan saluran napas yg seperti kejepit akibat leher Tyson ini bikin gue terbangun terus.
Eh, tapi, pagi ini, bengkaknya ternyata udah turun secara dramatis. Horee…
My RAI-131 ablation experience - Radiation monitor
28 Nov 11am My RAI-131 ablation experience – Radiation monitor
Ini hari ke tiga gue nginep di ruang isolasi. Tadi pagi, petugas unit kedokteran nuklir datang untuk mencheck level radioaktif di tubuh gue.
Alat yg namanya radiation monitor itu cuma lebih besar dikit dari walkman.
Tingkat radiasi diukur dari jarak 30cm, 1m and lebih dari 1m dari badan gue.
Hasilnya, kadar radioaktif yang terpancar dari badan gue udah turun (dari saat minum dosis 80millicuries) ke 31millicuries saat diukur dari jarak 30cm, dan dibawah 5millicuries dari jarak 3m.
Ini hari ke tiga gue nginep di ruang isolasi. Tadi pagi, petugas unit kedokteran nuklir datang untuk mencheck level radioaktif di tubuh gue.
Alat yg namanya radiation monitor itu cuma lebih besar dikit dari walkman.
Tingkat radiasi diukur dari jarak 30cm, 1m and lebih dari 1m dari badan gue.
Hasilnya, kadar radioaktif yang terpancar dari badan gue udah turun (dari saat minum dosis 80millicuries) ke 31millicuries saat diukur dari jarak 30cm, dan dibawah 5millicuries dari jarak 3m.
My RAI-131 ablation experience - Side effects
28 Nov 8 am My RAI-131 ablation experience – Side effects
Side effects ablasi yg paling sering dikeluhkan pasien termasuk leher bengkak, napsu makan hilang, lidah kebas and tenggorokan serak.
Jam 3 pagi tadi, or lebih dari 30jam setelah minum RAI-131, gue kebangun dengan rasa gak enak di sekitar leher. Oh, ternyata udah mulai bengkak toh leher bagian bawah.
Waktu bangun paginya, bengkaknya makin melebar dan menebal, rasanya mau nelan ludah pun seret. Pangkal lidah gue tuh dikit2 nekan or nyenggol tenggorokan, jadi pingin muntah.
Masih inget gimana rasanya kalau lidah kita disuruh menjulur oleh dokter, trus dia nekan lidah kita pakai alat dari kayu yg persis tangkai es krim? Nah, gak nyaman and rasa seperti mau muntahnya sama dengan yg gue rasa pagi ini.
Leher bengkak juga bikin gue agak susah makan. Plus udah dari kemarin siang selera makan gue turun drastic. Baru makan setengah porsi udah terasa ‘enek.’
Gue minta suami bawa sambel botol favorit supaya makanan RS terasa lebih nendang.
Side effects ablasi yg paling sering dikeluhkan pasien termasuk leher bengkak, napsu makan hilang, lidah kebas and tenggorokan serak.
Jam 3 pagi tadi, or lebih dari 30jam setelah minum RAI-131, gue kebangun dengan rasa gak enak di sekitar leher. Oh, ternyata udah mulai bengkak toh leher bagian bawah.
Waktu bangun paginya, bengkaknya makin melebar dan menebal, rasanya mau nelan ludah pun seret. Pangkal lidah gue tuh dikit2 nekan or nyenggol tenggorokan, jadi pingin muntah.
Masih inget gimana rasanya kalau lidah kita disuruh menjulur oleh dokter, trus dia nekan lidah kita pakai alat dari kayu yg persis tangkai es krim? Nah, gak nyaman and rasa seperti mau muntahnya sama dengan yg gue rasa pagi ini.
Leher bengkak juga bikin gue agak susah makan. Plus udah dari kemarin siang selera makan gue turun drastic. Baru makan setengah porsi udah terasa ‘enek.’
Gue minta suami bawa sambel botol favorit supaya makanan RS terasa lebih nendang.
My RAI-131 ablation experience - Urine & BAB
27 Nov 900pm My RAI-131 ablation experience – Urine & BAB
Bahan radioaktif dikeluarkan tubuh paling banyak melalui urine, keringat, liur dan muntah.
Untuk mengurangi bahaya radiasi, selama ablasi pasien harus kencing di pispot yang isinya kemudian dia pindahkan ke container khusus berisi ‘concentrated solution for haemodial YSIS – Bicarbonate’.
Urine pasien didalam container berisi bicarbonate itu nantinya akan dibawa staff dari unit kedokteran nuklir untuk di buang di saluran pembuangan khusus.
By the way, selama 24 jam pertama gue diminta untuk gak banyak minum spy gak sering kencing. Tujuannya supaya bahan radioaktif bisa sebanyak mungkin ‘diserap’ organ tubuh yg jadi target ablasi.
Setelah 24 jam, gue harus minum banyak biar sering kencing. Makin sering/banyak kencing, makin cepat turun kadar radioaktif di tubuh, dan makin cepat kita boleh pulang.
Buang air besar normal aja, gak perlu ditampung di pispot.
Bahan radioaktif dikeluarkan tubuh paling banyak melalui urine, keringat, liur dan muntah.
Untuk mengurangi bahaya radiasi, selama ablasi pasien harus kencing di pispot yang isinya kemudian dia pindahkan ke container khusus berisi ‘concentrated solution for haemodial YSIS – Bicarbonate’.
Urine pasien didalam container berisi bicarbonate itu nantinya akan dibawa staff dari unit kedokteran nuklir untuk di buang di saluran pembuangan khusus.
By the way, selama 24 jam pertama gue diminta untuk gak banyak minum spy gak sering kencing. Tujuannya supaya bahan radioaktif bisa sebanyak mungkin ‘diserap’ organ tubuh yg jadi target ablasi.
Setelah 24 jam, gue harus minum banyak biar sering kencing. Makin sering/banyak kencing, makin cepat turun kadar radioaktif di tubuh, dan makin cepat kita boleh pulang.
Buang air besar normal aja, gak perlu ditampung di pispot.
My RAI-131 ablation experience - First 30hours
27 Nov 800pm My RAI-131 ablation experience – First 30 hours
Apart from increasing boredom, loneliness and discontentment over the out-of-order hot water and the almost overloaded garbage bins (I’ll try, again, to persuade them to replace the bins tomorrow), I got no complaints so far.
Apart from increasing boredom, loneliness and discontentment over the out-of-order hot water and the almost overloaded garbage bins (I’ll try, again, to persuade them to replace the bins tomorrow), I got no complaints so far.
My RAI-131 ablation experience - Tasting it
26 Nov 4pm My RAI-131 ablation experience – Tasting it
Cairan RAI-131 dikemas dalam toples dari logam yang tebalnya sekitar 3cm dan tingginya satu cm lebih tinggi dari toilet tissue roll. Beratnya? Wah! Gak ketulungan.Kayaknya cuma beda dikit dari karung beras 25kg.
Waktu pertama lihat si ‘toples baja’, gue pikir, “Mak! Banyak bener.”
Tapi, ternyata, RAI-131 nya sendiri cuma dikit kok, sekitar 4cc. Rupanya di dalam toples itu ada ceruk kecil yang pas untuk botol kaca kecil berisi RAI-131.
Botol kaca kecil itu berlabel, “Sodium Iodide 131 oral solution.” Ada catatan tanggal pembuatan, kode produksi, dosis 80 millicuries, dst. And also, “Contains sodium iodide 131 in saline something.” Oh, and of course ada lambang nuklirnya.
Kata perawat, keluhan yg paling sering dari pasien ablasi setelah minum RAI-131 adalah bengkak leher, tenggorokan serak, lidah ‘mati rasa’, dan mual. Tapi keluhan itu biasanya hilang sebelum pasien pulang.
Jam 1.45 siang aku minum RAI-131 yang dicampur dengan sekitar 100ml air. Sampai jam 4 sore, belum ada keluhan apa pun. Moga2 jangan ada ya..
Cairan RAI-131 dikemas dalam toples dari logam yang tebalnya sekitar 3cm dan tingginya satu cm lebih tinggi dari toilet tissue roll. Beratnya? Wah! Gak ketulungan.Kayaknya cuma beda dikit dari karung beras 25kg.
Waktu pertama lihat si ‘toples baja’, gue pikir, “Mak! Banyak bener.”
Tapi, ternyata, RAI-131 nya sendiri cuma dikit kok, sekitar 4cc. Rupanya di dalam toples itu ada ceruk kecil yang pas untuk botol kaca kecil berisi RAI-131.
Botol kaca kecil itu berlabel, “Sodium Iodide 131 oral solution.” Ada catatan tanggal pembuatan, kode produksi, dosis 80 millicuries, dst. And also, “Contains sodium iodide 131 in saline something.” Oh, and of course ada lambang nuklirnya.
Kata perawat, keluhan yg paling sering dari pasien ablasi setelah minum RAI-131 adalah bengkak leher, tenggorokan serak, lidah ‘mati rasa’, dan mual. Tapi keluhan itu biasanya hilang sebelum pasien pulang.
Jam 1.45 siang aku minum RAI-131 yang dicampur dengan sekitar 100ml air. Sampai jam 4 sore, belum ada keluhan apa pun. Moga2 jangan ada ya..
My RAI-131 ablation experience - Isolation Room
26 Nov 1230 My RAI-131 ablation experience – Isolation Room
Pasien ablasi ditempatkan di ruang isolasi. Seperti namanya, ruang ini terpencil di paling ujung lorong.
Papan pembatas di jejer di depan pintu ruang. Di dalam, pembatas berjejer sepanjang salah satu sisi ruang. Papan itu cukup tebal, katanya untuk meminimalisir pancaran radiasi dari si pasien thd orang lain yg berdiri dibalik papan.
Body contact with patient is prohibited.
Orang yg masuk ruang, termasuk dokter dan pembawa makanan, harus pakai baju khusus yang berat banget dan hanya boleh bicara dari balik papan pembatas yang jaraknya sekitar 3.5m dari tempat tidur pasien.
Ruang isolasi dilengkapi dengan kamera yg monitornya ada di ruang perawat. Jadi pasien tetap terawasi. Supaya jangan malu2in, pasien berganti baju di kamar mandi dan sebaiknya ‘jaga perilaku.’ Misalnya, jangan ngupil di depan kamera….
Kalau biasanya perawat datang ngukur suhu badan, pasien isolasi dibekali termometer, tensi sendiri. Perawat akan telpon utk tanya hasilnya.
Thank heavens, ada TV with HBO and Star Movie channels disini – gak tau di RS lain. Jadi gak bakal boring2 amat.
Tapi, tetep aja, rasanya ‘kosong’ tanpa anak and suami.
Pasien ablasi ditempatkan di ruang isolasi. Seperti namanya, ruang ini terpencil di paling ujung lorong.
Papan pembatas di jejer di depan pintu ruang. Di dalam, pembatas berjejer sepanjang salah satu sisi ruang. Papan itu cukup tebal, katanya untuk meminimalisir pancaran radiasi dari si pasien thd orang lain yg berdiri dibalik papan.
Body contact with patient is prohibited.
Orang yg masuk ruang, termasuk dokter dan pembawa makanan, harus pakai baju khusus yang berat banget dan hanya boleh bicara dari balik papan pembatas yang jaraknya sekitar 3.5m dari tempat tidur pasien.
Ruang isolasi dilengkapi dengan kamera yg monitornya ada di ruang perawat. Jadi pasien tetap terawasi. Supaya jangan malu2in, pasien berganti baju di kamar mandi dan sebaiknya ‘jaga perilaku.’ Misalnya, jangan ngupil di depan kamera….
Kalau biasanya perawat datang ngukur suhu badan, pasien isolasi dibekali termometer, tensi sendiri. Perawat akan telpon utk tanya hasilnya.
Thank heavens, ada TV with HBO and Star Movie channels disini – gak tau di RS lain. Jadi gak bakal boring2 amat.
Tapi, tetep aja, rasanya ‘kosong’ tanpa anak and suami.
My RAI-131 ablation experience – preparation
Instruksi utk pasien ablasi or fasilitas ruang isolasi bisa jadi berbeda tergantung rumah sakit dan dokternya. Dokter gue, misalnya, gak kasih instruksi khusus utk persiapan ablasi.
Gue cuma disuruh bawa bahan bacaan, permen, buah favorit, obat2 pribadi and underwears. Permen & buah buat ngebantu ‘merangsang’ lidah dan kerongkongan yang, katanya, bisa jadi akan sejenak terasa ‘kebas’ atawa ‘mati rasa’ setelah minum RAI-131.
Dokter bilang jaga kondisi fisik dan mental. Badan yg fit dan mental yg sehat bakal membantu untuk setidaknya ‘lebih tahan banting’ seandainya harus merasakan efek samping ‘temporer’, seperti rasa mual atau bengkak leher, selama ablasi.
Gue juga nyiapin air mineral and tissue (termasuk tissue basah and toilet), supaya gak repot minta tambah/ganti terus. Di RS gue, barang2 ini dipasok sekaligus waktu kita datang untuk stok 4 hari.
Air penting, karena 24 jam setelah minum RAI-131 pasien hrs banyak minum supaya bahan radioaktif-nya cepat keluar dari tubuh melalui urine, shg kadar radiaktif dalam tubuh cepat turun menurun, dan bisa lekas keluar pulang rumah. Kalau banyak minum, ya jadi banyak kencing, so patients, especially ladies, may need enough stock of toilet tissues.
Gue cuma disuruh bawa bahan bacaan, permen, buah favorit, obat2 pribadi and underwears. Permen & buah buat ngebantu ‘merangsang’ lidah dan kerongkongan yang, katanya, bisa jadi akan sejenak terasa ‘kebas’ atawa ‘mati rasa’ setelah minum RAI-131.
Dokter bilang jaga kondisi fisik dan mental. Badan yg fit dan mental yg sehat bakal membantu untuk setidaknya ‘lebih tahan banting’ seandainya harus merasakan efek samping ‘temporer’, seperti rasa mual atau bengkak leher, selama ablasi.
Gue juga nyiapin air mineral and tissue (termasuk tissue basah and toilet), supaya gak repot minta tambah/ganti terus. Di RS gue, barang2 ini dipasok sekaligus waktu kita datang untuk stok 4 hari.
Air penting, karena 24 jam setelah minum RAI-131 pasien hrs banyak minum supaya bahan radioaktif-nya cepat keluar dari tubuh melalui urine, shg kadar radiaktif dalam tubuh cepat turun menurun, dan bisa lekas keluar pulang rumah. Kalau banyak minum, ya jadi banyak kencing, so patients, especially ladies, may need enough stock of toilet tissues.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Panduan utk kontak dgn pasien paska RAI 131
Di bawah adalah web address yang berisi panduan bagi pasien yang akan menerima obat dengan bahan radioaktif yang dikeluarkan oleh Divisi Kedokteran Nuklir Rumah Sakit Universitas North Carolina. Not sure if patients in our country are also given such an instruction sheet prior to/after taking the medicine. Tapi rasanya points yg ada di sheet berikut bisa kita jadikan acuan untuk melakukan kontak dengan non-pasien, atau dengan pasien bila anda adalah bukan penerima RAI 131.
Semoga bermanfaat.
"Additional Instruction for Continuing Care Following Treatment with Radioactive Drugs," University of North Carolina Hospital, Division of Nuclear Medicine.
http://ehs.unc.edu/radiation/manual/hospitals/Patient%20instructions.pdf.
Semoga bermanfaat.
"Additional Instruction for Continuing Care Following Treatment with Radioactive Drugs," University of North Carolina Hospital, Division of Nuclear Medicine.
http://ehs.unc.edu/radiation/manual/hospitals/Patient%20instructions.pdf.
Birthday wish for dearest husband
I won’t be around for my beloved husband’s birthday on Sunday 27.
So I’m going to say it now, “Happy Birthday, my dearest one. I hope God allows us to grow old happily and healthily together. God bless you.”
So I’m going to say it now, “Happy Birthday, my dearest one. I hope God allows us to grow old happily and healthily together. God bless you.”
See u again, not so soon, my dears
Well, well, setelah di undur dua kali, gue besok bakal nginep lagi di rumah sakit selama 4-5 hari kedepan, kali ini untuk ablasi dengan RAI 131.
Gue udah pasrah deh. Habis mo gimana lagi? Biopsi udah, operasi juga udah gue jalanin.
Mom must go away, again, my lovely baby. But, daddy will be available (when he’s not in the office), and the rest of the family will do their best to cheer you up during my leave.
Sedih banget musti ninggalin anak, apalagi udah hampir seminggu ini dia lagi kurang sehat, pilek berat, batuk dan sedikit demam. Berhubung sekarang lagi masanya flu burung, DSA ku bilang kalau ada gejala sesak napas harus segera bawa ke rumah sakit. Hopefully, anakku cuma ketularan pilek dari aku dan bapaknya.
Kali ini gue bakal tinggal di ruang isolasi, gak boleh ditungguin seperti halnya ketika operasi bulan lalu. Pengunjung cuma bisa dadah-dadah dari balik kaca aja.
It’ll be lonely, heart wrenching, irritating and boring days ahead. Worse still, I must keep avoiding close physical contact with my family for another week upon my arrival from the hospital to avoid any risks of radioactive contamination.
Gue udah pasrah deh. Habis mo gimana lagi? Biopsi udah, operasi juga udah gue jalanin.
Mom must go away, again, my lovely baby. But, daddy will be available (when he’s not in the office), and the rest of the family will do their best to cheer you up during my leave.
Sedih banget musti ninggalin anak, apalagi udah hampir seminggu ini dia lagi kurang sehat, pilek berat, batuk dan sedikit demam. Berhubung sekarang lagi masanya flu burung, DSA ku bilang kalau ada gejala sesak napas harus segera bawa ke rumah sakit. Hopefully, anakku cuma ketularan pilek dari aku dan bapaknya.
Kali ini gue bakal tinggal di ruang isolasi, gak boleh ditungguin seperti halnya ketika operasi bulan lalu. Pengunjung cuma bisa dadah-dadah dari balik kaca aja.
It’ll be lonely, heart wrenching, irritating and boring days ahead. Worse still, I must keep avoiding close physical contact with my family for another week upon my arrival from the hospital to avoid any risks of radioactive contamination.
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