1. A Clients Perspective RADIOACTIVE IODINE TREATMENT

2. WHAT IS RADIOACTIVE IODINE TREATMENT Thyroid Cancer The Thyroid removed followed by radioactive iodine to eliminate any remaining thyroid cells ie cancer cells. Usually to remove from nods or small tissue left. Thyroid gland the only part of the human body that can ‘process’ iodine Radiation destroys thyroid cells Radioactive iodine will be absorbed by the thyroid gland Kill thyroid cells

3. CLIENT PREPARATION FOR TREATMENT To ensure treatment effective, client needs high level of TSH-thyrotropin (thyroid- stimulating hormone) this helps cancer cells take up radioactive idoine. For treatment to begin, a person has to have thyroid completely removed, take only ½ dose of usual thyroid meds for one week and then no meds 2 weeks prior. Hypothyroidism is temporary enduced and it causes symptoms like - tiredness - depression (low motivation) - weight gain - constipation - muscle aches - reduced concentration

4. ARRIVAL

5. VULNERABLE Fragile Guarded Helpless Powerless Insecure Weary Reserved Sensitive Susceptible

6. BLOOD TESTS

7. AFRAID Apprehension Dread Foreboding Frightened Mistrustful Scared Suspicious Terrified Wary Worried

8. TENSE Anxious Cranky Distressed Distraught Edgy Fidgety Frazzled Irritable Jittery Nervous Restless Stressed

9. ESSENTIAL WATER

10. PAIN AND DISCOMFORT Metallic taste in the mouth. Dry mouth. Sore throat. Neck pain. Can make neck swell up or hurt. Nausea or vomiting Constipation or diarrhoea. Fatigue. Unusually low (hypothyroidism) or unusually high (hyperthyroidism) thyroid levels as discussed earlier. Tiredness etc.hypothyroidismhyperthyroidism

11. LOW IODINE DIET IMPORTANT avoid iodized salt avoid foods that contain iodized salt avoid all soy products avoid fish, seafood, sea vegetables because of their natural iodine content milk and milk products have to be avoided (iodine is in the cleaning solution in the production of milk and its products) Rice milk can be used as a substitute. only eat the whites of eggs (the yolk contains the iodine) avoid foods that contain red food colouring do not used prepared meals or frozen meals. Prepare everything “from scratch” use fresh or dried herbs to add flavour to your dishes find the salt-free spice mixes eat lots of vegetables and fruit (avoid frozen peas because they are soaked in a brine when being processed) prepare food in advance and freeze meals ( you may not feel like cooking when you become “hypo”) have your family eating the same as you as much as possible (you will not feel so deprived and it will not hurt them!!!) stay away from restaurants during this time have your pharmacist check your medications and over the counter supplements for their iodine content (be aware that some supplements contain milk and sea products)

12. THE ROOM