Radioactive Iodine Therapy: Graves Disease

As posted in a previous blog, I was going to the Endocrinologist for testing for my thyroid. Blood work, has shown that I do have hyperthyroidism as well as Graves Disease.

So what is Graves Disease?

Graves disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). While a number of disorders may result in hyperthyroidism, Graves disease is the most common cause.

So now whats next for me?

Treatment. Radioactive Iodine Therapy to be exact. Sounds serious right? Well it sort of is. Not in the fact that I am going to be in any danger or anything. June 3rd and 4th I go for a two day uptake and scan on my thyroid. Its a quick test that shows them yes I do have a hyperthyroid (duh, as if blood work, a goiter, etc wasn't enough) and what dosage I need the Iodine pill to be at to effectively work. I had two options for treatment. One: straight to medication and Two: the Radioactive Iodine Therapy. Why would I not chose straight to medication? With medicating thyroid problems whether it be hypo or hyper, there may be a constant change in dosages and figuring out which dosage is needed for my body, etc. Well as I say to that, "ain't nobody got time fo' dat." I am ultimately planning on growing our little family so I am going right after my thyroid more aggressively. 

June 7th at 1:00pm is my "procedure." It is an outpatient procedure being done at Windsong Radiology Group in Williamsville. I will ingest a (already individually determined dosage from the uptake and scan testing) capsule of radioactive iodine. The capsule will localize in the hyper functioning thyroid destroying the gland and correct over activity. The process can take 2-6 months and inevitably be hypothyroid as a result and medicated for that (which is not a big deal). The only accompanying adverse affects that may happen for a short time is increased palpitations (which is medicated as needed with Propranolol).

There are guidelines that I have to follow for 5 days following the procedure.

The major one being, I am going to isolate myself from my household for these 5 days because I am radioactive for these days. I can be around people but not kids or pregnant women for a prolonged amount of time. Instead of risking anything I am just going to stay at my in laws house (while they happen to be away). This is the hardest part of the whole thing.

5 days I can do it.

Well wishes and prayers needed.

Oh, and I am truly thankful for the accident that I was in in Oct. Weird right? If I hadn't gotten in that accident and slightly hurt I wouldn't have finally gone to the Dr. and be sent for routine blood work. I wouldn't have known about what has been going on with my thyroid right now, maybe eventually I would have but not this soon. Thank God.

Stephanie
 

 

Chalk spray paint

We've been working on renovations throughout the house so lifes been really busy. I've tried snapping photos as we move along to share with everyone! This is one of the little projects I did. The inside of one set of cabinets had little shelves for spices etc. They were this dirty brown goldish color (very technical color) before that didn't match with the newly painted white cabinets. I was trying to figure out a quick fix makeover and then decided what better way to cheaply fix my problem than to chalk spray paint that I already had in my garage. I wish I would have taken a before picture but here's the end result! I'm happy with it :)

Organizing

I've been fighting a cold since Monday afternoon. Last night after barely making it into work I decided to call into today. Of course I don't feel much better but the day off was nice. I was able to bring Alanna to school which never happens. I just putzed around the house the rest of the day, fighting this cold, trying to do some much needed things around the house. So today I accomplished organizing two of my closets, which I think is great since my nose is running, I have a sore throat and an (it comes, it goes) earache. I should have taken a before picture but of course I was already into the project when I thought about it!

I still have some minor things to do but they are much happier closets now :) now if only I can get over this cold.

Hyperthyroidism

A while ago I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. So my metabolism and hormones are off due to it. I'm especially tired these days, dealing with a goiter that changes sizes in my throat constantly which also makes me feel yucky sometimes, and sometimes I get tachycardia. I can't wait to be mediacted or worse surgery. I'm constantly asked when I'm gonna have another baby and it saddens me because right now that's not possible and it may never happen again. Praying it does and I'm not giving up on the possibility. Also, losing weight isn't a possibility right now either.

So, I'm patiently (not so much) waiting for my appointment May 6th with an endocrinologist to see what the next step is, which I was told from my MD it could be just medication or possibly surgery..especially because of the goiter. We'll see...hopefully its strictly good news in the future.

Don't take having a baby for granted. Even if you have one already don't assume having another will be easy. I have two close relatives and a best friend that is struggling and going through fertility treatments. I am very thankful for Alanna and really cherish the little moments with her at this age because I'm not sure I'll share that again with anyone else.

Hopeful, 
Stephanie

Hard Boiled Eggs: in the oven!

I just could never get eggs boiled the right way for hard boiled eggs. Either I was too impatient waiting for them to boil (mostly that) or didn't time it right. So I found a much easier way to do it! Put them in the oven. So simple. All you need is the eggs (duh) and a cupcake pan.

Preheat the oven to 325-350 (i do mine at 325 just depends on your oven or egg preference). Put an egg in each spot where the cupcakes would normally bake. This is so the eggs don't roll around. Genius. Time for 30 minutes and go clean the house, yell at the kids, husband, whatever you could use the 30 minutes for then....

30 minutes later. Hard boiled eggs. Fool proof.

Get a huge bowl of ice water. After they are cooled, about 10 minutes later, you can peel them.

As a matter of fact this is happening right now in my house. We are coloring eggs tonight.


Good luck!

Making a come Back

So I got into this whole blogging thing a long time ago and drifted away from it but I'm going to get back into it...(hopefully) I'm hoping to get some thoughts out, have my little peanut read this when she's old enough and help me keep track of where my life's flying off too. So wish me luck with the posting and keeping up with life as it flies by.