Friday

...of I don't have a clever title today! :(

..Instead, the Nuclear Health doctor entered the room apologizing. She mentioned that whomever checked me in had placed me in the wrong room. Sooo, she escorted me to the room in which was more fitting for me.

At least that’s what I assumed until we walked in the room!

My knees buckled at the sight of everything being cellophane wrapped!

E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!

Well, not the floors. Those were covered with that white paper that’s usually on examining tables. The telephone, drawer handles, nurse’s call button, sink, toilet and even the bedrails were tightly sealed with clear plastic casing! I became slightly dizzy as my heart’s tempo picked up and I stepped back a little. Doctor “Nuclear Med” noticed, so she “caught” me by placing her palm on the small of my back and told me that it was all precautionary and easier for cleanup.

I felt the urge to cry, but I fought it.

After confirming which things would be left in the room with me, the doctor told me how the radiation would be studiously administered and again educated me on what to do when the radiation arrives:

*When radiation arrives, DO NOT cross “this line.” It will be brought to you.

*DO NOT touch the straw! Place your hands behind your back and with one effort, consume all of the liquid and then take four steps back.

*DO NOT open your mouth for one hour. No talking, eating or drinking! (Dude, I’m in a room by myself, whom will I audibly talk to! Maybe that was a trick to get me admitted to the 5th floor. LOL)

*If you vomit outside of the toilet within the hour, put these gloves on, pour this charcoal over it, sweep and flush it. Call nurse to notify me.

*If you have diarrhea within the hour, call nurse to notify me. However, if you have not had a bowel movement in the next 6 hours, call the nurse to notify me.

*I will come back in one hour to check the radiation level. DO NOT cross "this" line and DO NOT open your mouth until I leave the room.

*Although not recommended, you may have visitors. However, they must check in at the nurse’s station first so that they can receive preventive attire. (She must have forgotten that I had to do this ALONE!)

*A nurse will periodically knock at your door to check on you. DO NOT open the door. Just signal “OK” if all is well.

Now for my personal responsibilities, (although I believe I mentionedsome of this here):

*Drink plenty of water, (Ahhh, I left it in Sister “J’s” car! So the doc had a nurse bring in a cup and small pitcher of water for me), when you think that you’ve drank enough and can’t drink anymore, drink more anyway.

*Food will be served on paper tray. Discard it “here” when you are done.

*Flush all uneaten food.

*DO NOT open the transfer door until signaled to do so, (food, new linens and new gowns were placed here to avoid contact).

*Shower and wash your hair at least three times daily and/or after each bowel movement or upon profuse sweating.

*Flush all excreted body fluids, except blood. If for any reason you bleed, “Are you menstruating?”
“No”
“Okay, good. But, if you start or hurt yourself and bleeding occurs…” call a nurse to notify me. We have a special disposal course of action for human blood, (Human blood? What other types of blood would they have in here? Hmmm, faintly scary! LOL).

*Try to keep busy and it’ll pass by quickly.

I complied with the regulations, signed paperwork, received an I.D. tag, :) and was told that she would have the I-131 brought in. Ten minutes passed by when a cart pushed it’s way across the threshold of my “Plastic Fairy-Tale Land” with what reminded me of an armor-locked parcel on top of it. The next sight provoked my moaning and meltdown of tears…

“…Now we know that if the earthy tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling…We live by faith, not by sight…” 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 NIV

11 comments:

  1. Wow, I had no clue things were so strict and kind of dangerous sounding. Eek!

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  2. I think if unprepared, this sight would have scared anybody. I have never heard of such precautions being taken but then again, I've never really thought about it.

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  3. Oh my friend. This just makes me want to cry. I don't even want to picture you in that environment. Know that I'm praying for you!!!
    HUGS
    Kim

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  4. My brother in law is facing so many obstacles right now. He is very scared. As I read more and more of your posts I see him in them. Thank you for your continued prayers for David as he faces this battle.
    Blessings, andrea

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  5. I feel so much sadness at the medical staff's lack of compassion. Here you are going through something like this and it's all business with them. God kept you! :O)

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  6. I am with Diane and cried because the lack of compassion. All I could hear in my head was the medical staff saying DON'T CONTAMINATE US.

    I pray you will never have to endure that again.

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  7. You know, reading your posts these past few weeks has opened my eyes quite a bit to help me to understand some of the things that people go through in the medical land of sickness. It has instilled in me a little more compassion that is for sure. Thanks for sharing your story and helping me to see from your perspective.
    Christy

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  8. Larie, I almost cried reading this post. I can't imagine how you felt. It almost made me think that if it is so hazardous, then why in the world they are exposing you to it!

    In situations like this, you have to know God because if you don't, it could be VERY easy to get depressed and distraught.

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  9. I love you I love you I love you. I wish I had time to type this a thousand times. You are so brave. And did I tell you I love you?

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  10. Thankyou Lord for your covering over your precious Laurie!! No one would ever want to have to go through this without HIM! I am sending you BIG HUGS right now!!!

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  11. Good grief! I feel like going to eat some oatmeal, apples, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, and whatever else that will keep me healthy. Larie, again, thanks for sharing. You're blessing in ways you'll never know.

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Y'all's comments are overwhelmingly encouraging. I appreciate them very much. They motivate me to continue being myself. Smooches!