Re: Time off work - how much needed?

[Guest guest]

hi dana

after surgery, not only did my surgeon get involved but endo. i was off for

surgery 6/14 and went back 7/5 because my endo was too concerned on my

driving 40 miles to work. when my TSH was so extremely low, she sent me back

7/5-6 and that monday. off again 7/10 till my RAI 7/20 because she would not

allow me to drive those total of 80 miles.

my office is happy to have me back next monday. i should be safe to all by

then. since it was no issue to do lots from home (i had an install disk),

most of all work but analytical work or phone calls were handled by my

team....

[Guest guest]

hi kim

the note you sent to dana sounds about right. that's my wait too...

thanks

renata

[Guest guest]

hi kim

the note you sent to dana sounds about right. that's my wait too...

thanks

renata

[Guest guest]

hi kim

the note you sent to dana sounds about right. that's my wait too...

thanks

renata

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana!

Unfortunately, I am not sure about time off needed, as I am a teacher

and have the summer off anyhow. But the nuclear med doctor restricted me

from ALL mass transit for a week.

Hope this is helpful.

Kim

Time off work - how much needed?

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

>

>

> For more information regarding thyroid cancer visit www.thyca.org. If you

do not wish to belong to this group, you may UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank

email to thyca-unsubscribe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana!

Unfortunately, I am not sure about time off needed, as I am a teacher

and have the summer off anyhow. But the nuclear med doctor restricted me

from ALL mass transit for a week.

Hope this is helpful.

Kim

Time off work - how much needed?

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

>

>

> For more information regarding thyroid cancer visit www.thyca.org. If you

do not wish to belong to this group, you may UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank

email to thyca-unsubscribe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In terms of RAI - you will need some time off after, it depends on

the dosage and how fast it clears your system.. I had mine on a

wednesday and could go back to work on monday - but i had to go to

the hospital that monday for a geiger counter check before they gave

me the all clear to be in the office.

Just before RAI you may find you need to work from home. Driving when

hypo is not a safe thing, your attention span is less and reflexes

tend to be slower.. luckily i can work from home and generally do the

last week before a scan or RAI (i have a 35 to 65 mile commute each

way depending on which office i'm at, its way too far to drive hypo)

barb

Barb Burri

dx pap 7/1/99 TT 8/13/99, RAI 63mci 4/26/00 - CLEAN SCAN 12/15/00 -

.175 synthroid

barburri@... // bburri@... // www.burri.com

hailing from Plaistow NH (42 miles Due North of Boston)

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much

time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For

example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana,

It's been a long time since I have RAI so hopefully those with more

recent experience will respond.

The airline question is one that I have not seen come up on this list

and it is an interesting one. I am going to repost Ian's document on

contamination and safety.

You will need time after RAI to regain some strength.

Gail

dx: 1968,TT,pap. & foll. well differentiated, RAI, rad.neck

dissection, lung surgery, hashimoto, iodine resistant,

existing thyca nodules in lungs. Last surgery 1972

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana,

It's been a long time since I have RAI so hopefully those with more

recent experience will respond.

The airline question is one that I have not seen come up on this list

and it is an interesting one. I am going to repost Ian's document on

contamination and safety.

You will need time after RAI to regain some strength.

Gail

dx: 1968,TT,pap. & foll. well differentiated, RAI, rad.neck

dissection, lung surgery, hashimoto, iodine resistant,

existing thyca nodules in lungs. Last surgery 1972

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana,

It's been a long time since I have RAI so hopefully those with more

recent experience will respond.

The airline question is one that I have not seen come up on this list

and it is an interesting one. I am going to repost Ian's document on

contamination and safety.

You will need time after RAI to regain some strength.

Gail

dx: 1968,TT,pap. & foll. well differentiated, RAI, rad.neck

dissection, lung surgery, hashimoto, iodine resistant,

existing thyca nodules in lungs. Last surgery 1972

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

[Guest guest]

Hello Dana,

I had my surgery on Jan. 3 to remove the first half of my thyroid,

and I was told I would need a week off. I went back into surgery on

Jan 8, so in all I had to take a week and a half before I could

return to work. It took 8 weeks before they could get me in for the

RAI, so when I was hypo I ended up missing the most work. I worked

fine till the end of my 5th week with no thyroid, and I was OK, other

than just moving slow. The 6th week I started leaving at lunch, then

I took the rest of the time off. I ended up with about a month off,

because once I had the RAI it took my doc several days to get me on

the synthroid, and I let that get into my system for a week before I

went back to work. I was lucky, my supervisor's wife had thyroid

problems before, and they killed hers with RAI, she didn't have

surgery, but he understood what it was like. They say it is different

for everyone. I can tell you they say you will feel tired, and that

does not describe the feeling. You actually feel like you are walking

around dead. Your mucles will be tired from head to toe. If you want

to talk to me more just e-mail me. I will be happy to help you with

the things I know about.

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much

time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For

example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

[Guest guest]

Hello Dana,

I had my surgery on Jan. 3 to remove the first half of my thyroid,

and I was told I would need a week off. I went back into surgery on

Jan 8, so in all I had to take a week and a half before I could

return to work. It took 8 weeks before they could get me in for the

RAI, so when I was hypo I ended up missing the most work. I worked

fine till the end of my 5th week with no thyroid, and I was OK, other

than just moving slow. The 6th week I started leaving at lunch, then

I took the rest of the time off. I ended up with about a month off,

because once I had the RAI it took my doc several days to get me on

the synthroid, and I let that get into my system for a week before I

went back to work. I was lucky, my supervisor's wife had thyroid

problems before, and they killed hers with RAI, she didn't have

surgery, but he understood what it was like. They say it is different

for everyone. I can tell you they say you will feel tired, and that

does not describe the feeling. You actually feel like you are walking

around dead. Your mucles will be tired from head to toe. If you want

to talk to me more just e-mail me. I will be happy to help you with

the things I know about.

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much

time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For

example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana:

My surgeon told me to request three weeks off. In case I needed it.

I work a mile from work. I had a TT the tuesday before labor day was

off the rest of that week and the following week. I was out of work 8

business days for the surgery. I remember calling my boss to tell

him I had good news and bad news the good news I was coming back to

work a week early and the bad news was the cancer was confirrmed

I was able to work up until two days before the scan and RAI

treatment. My Dr. took me out of work the same day he gave me the

tracer dose. I went back to work 10 days after the scan and

treatment. That was a total of two weeks off.

I live close to work so I could go home and nap at lunch time. I

remember when I was getting ready to go for surgery it was a big

concern of mine of how long I would be off work. I heard some people

had the surgery on thursday and were back at work on Monday to people

having 4 weeks off.

Gail Schuler

Redwood City, CA.

TT 8/31/99

Dx. Fol Var. Papillary Carcinoma 9/9/99

Scan & 103 Mci RAI 11/04/99

Clean Scan with Thyrogen 10/13/00

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana:

My surgeon told me to request three weeks off. In case I needed it.

I work a mile from work. I had a TT the tuesday before labor day was

off the rest of that week and the following week. I was out of work 8

business days for the surgery. I remember calling my boss to tell

him I had good news and bad news the good news I was coming back to

work a week early and the bad news was the cancer was confirrmed

I was able to work up until two days before the scan and RAI

treatment. My Dr. took me out of work the same day he gave me the

tracer dose. I went back to work 10 days after the scan and

treatment. That was a total of two weeks off.

I live close to work so I could go home and nap at lunch time. I

remember when I was getting ready to go for surgery it was a big

concern of mine of how long I would be off work. I heard some people

had the surgery on thursday and were back at work on Monday to people

having 4 weeks off.

Gail Schuler

Redwood City, CA.

TT 8/31/99

Dx. Fol Var. Papillary Carcinoma 9/9/99

Scan & 103 Mci RAI 11/04/99

Clean Scan with Thyrogen 10/13/00

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana:

My surgeon told me to request three weeks off. In case I needed it.

I work a mile from work. I had a TT the tuesday before labor day was

off the rest of that week and the following week. I was out of work 8

business days for the surgery. I remember calling my boss to tell

him I had good news and bad news the good news I was coming back to

work a week early and the bad news was the cancer was confirrmed

I was able to work up until two days before the scan and RAI

treatment. My Dr. took me out of work the same day he gave me the

tracer dose. I went back to work 10 days after the scan and

treatment. That was a total of two weeks off.

I live close to work so I could go home and nap at lunch time. I

remember when I was getting ready to go for surgery it was a big

concern of mine of how long I would be off work. I heard some people

had the surgery on thursday and were back at work on Monday to people

having 4 weeks off.

Gail Schuler

Redwood City, CA.

TT 8/31/99

Dx. Fol Var. Papillary Carcinoma 9/9/99

Scan & 103 Mci RAI 11/04/99

Clean Scan with Thyrogen 10/13/00

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana:

My surgeon told me to request three weeks off. In case I needed it.

I work a mile from work. I had a TT the tuesday before labor day was

off the rest of that week and the following week. I was out of work 8

business days for the surgery. I remember calling my boss to tell

him I had good news and bad news the good news I was coming back to

work a week early and the bad news was the cancer was confirrmed

I was able to work up until two days before the scan and RAI

treatment. My Dr. took me out of work the same day he gave me the

tracer dose. I went back to work 10 days after the scan and

treatment. That was a total of two weeks off.

I live close to work so I could go home and nap at lunch time. I

remember when I was getting ready to go for surgery it was a big

concern of mine of how long I would be off work. I heard some people

had the surgery on thursday and were back at work on Monday to people

having 4 weeks off.

Gail Schuler

Redwood City, CA.

TT 8/31/99

Dx. Fol Var. Papillary Carcinoma 9/9/99

Scan & 103 Mci RAI 11/04/99

Clean Scan with Thyrogen 10/13/00

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana:

My surgeon told me to request three weeks off. In case I needed it.

I work a mile from work. I had a TT the tuesday before labor day was

off the rest of that week and the following week. I was out of work 8

business days for the surgery. I remember calling my boss to tell

him I had good news and bad news the good news I was coming back to

work a week early and the bad news was the cancer was confirrmed

I was able to work up until two days before the scan and RAI

treatment. My Dr. took me out of work the same day he gave me the

tracer dose. I went back to work 10 days after the scan and

treatment. That was a total of two weeks off.

I live close to work so I could go home and nap at lunch time. I

remember when I was getting ready to go for surgery it was a big

concern of mine of how long I would be off work. I heard some people

had the surgery on thursday and were back at work on Monday to people

having 4 weeks off.

Gail Schuler

Redwood City, CA.

TT 8/31/99

Dx. Fol Var. Papillary Carcinoma 9/9/99

Scan & 103 Mci RAI 11/04/99

Clean Scan with Thyrogen 10/13/00

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana:

My surgeon told me to request three weeks off. In case I needed it.

I work a mile from work. I had a TT the tuesday before labor day was

off the rest of that week and the following week. I was out of work 8

business days for the surgery. I remember calling my boss to tell

him I had good news and bad news the good news I was coming back to

work a week early and the bad news was the cancer was confirrmed

I was able to work up until two days before the scan and RAI

treatment. My Dr. took me out of work the same day he gave me the

tracer dose. I went back to work 10 days after the scan and

treatment. That was a total of two weeks off.

I live close to work so I could go home and nap at lunch time. I

remember when I was getting ready to go for surgery it was a big

concern of mine of how long I would be off work. I heard some people

had the surgery on thursday and were back at work on Monday to people

having 4 weeks off.

Gail Schuler

Redwood City, CA.

TT 8/31/99

Dx. Fol Var. Papillary Carcinoma 9/9/99

Scan & 103 Mci RAI 11/04/99

Clean Scan with Thyrogen 10/13/00

[Guest guest]

Dear Dana,

I had my TT and was in enough discomfort to take drugs that made me

drowsy for about 7 days. With my surgeons ok, I was mowing the lawn

12 days after surgery and felt great.

My second RAI, my TSH was 85, 7 days before I took the pills. I

worked up until and even on the day that I went in for 154 mCi. I

had all the hypo syptoms but it wasn't too severe with me. The RAI

made me nauseated for about 3 days and I slept most of the time. I

took 10 days off of work because I was told no close contact with

children or pregnant women for at least 7 days. They should

understand you are protecting them, since you never know when you

could be standing next to a pregnant women. You will probably restart

T4/T3 2 to 7 days after your RAI and then you should start to feel

some improvement soon after that. Eight weeks after my RAI, my TSH

was down to .01.

Good luck.

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

[Guest guest]

Dear Dana,

I had my TT and was in enough discomfort to take drugs that made me

drowsy for about 7 days. With my surgeons ok, I was mowing the lawn

12 days after surgery and felt great.

My second RAI, my TSH was 85, 7 days before I took the pills. I

worked up until and even on the day that I went in for 154 mCi. I

had all the hypo syptoms but it wasn't too severe with me. The RAI

made me nauseated for about 3 days and I slept most of the time. I

took 10 days off of work because I was told no close contact with

children or pregnant women for at least 7 days. They should

understand you are protecting them, since you never know when you

could be standing next to a pregnant women. You will probably restart

T4/T3 2 to 7 days after your RAI and then you should start to feel

some improvement soon after that. Eight weeks after my RAI, my TSH

was down to .01.

Good luck.

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

[Guest guest]

Dear Dana,

I had my TT and was in enough discomfort to take drugs that made me

drowsy for about 7 days. With my surgeons ok, I was mowing the lawn

12 days after surgery and felt great.

My second RAI, my TSH was 85, 7 days before I took the pills. I

worked up until and even on the day that I went in for 154 mCi. I

had all the hypo syptoms but it wasn't too severe with me. The RAI

made me nauseated for about 3 days and I slept most of the time. I

took 10 days off of work because I was told no close contact with

children or pregnant women for at least 7 days. They should

understand you are protecting them, since you never know when you

could be standing next to a pregnant women. You will probably restart

T4/T3 2 to 7 days after your RAI and then you should start to feel

some improvement soon after that. Eight weeks after my RAI, my TSH

was down to .01.

Good luck.

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

[Guest guest]

Hi dfhakes...

I had a left lobe removed on 2/26/01 to determine if

the nodule was cancer. Because the type of cancer I

had was so hard to diagnose, the intial frozen section

was read as benign and I was sent home. I took a week

off from work and returned the following Monday. I

received the report that the nodule was malignant on

3/1/01 and was readmitted to remove the other lobe on

3/10/01. Again, I took only 1 week off from work. By

3/28/01 my TSH level had risen sufficiently to do the

RAI. I felt fine before the RAI but found I need a

four week leave of absence due to the hypo symtpoms I

began experiencing following RAI.

As they say here, YMMV (your mileage may vary), and

you may or may not require much time off. Everyone is

different and deals with the pain of TT or the hypo

symtpoms differently. I would plan on at least a week

and take it from there.

Good luck!

--- dfhakes@... wrote:

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to

> communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said

> one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an

> additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say

> anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working

> from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if

> so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the

> hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after

> that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without

> contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

>

>

=====

Christy, 42, Las Vegas

2.5 cm Follicular and .9 mm Papillary

2/26/01 LL (Frozen Section was read as benign)

3/10/01 TT after a positive final pathology

Hypoparathyroidism (.5 Rocaltrol/1500 mg calcium daily)

3/28/01 145 mCi RAI (without LID)

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi dfhakes...

I had a left lobe removed on 2/26/01 to determine if

the nodule was cancer. Because the type of cancer I

had was so hard to diagnose, the intial frozen section

was read as benign and I was sent home. I took a week

off from work and returned the following Monday. I

received the report that the nodule was malignant on

3/1/01 and was readmitted to remove the other lobe on

3/10/01. Again, I took only 1 week off from work. By

3/28/01 my TSH level had risen sufficiently to do the

RAI. I felt fine before the RAI but found I need a

four week leave of absence due to the hypo symtpoms I

began experiencing following RAI.

As they say here, YMMV (your mileage may vary), and

you may or may not require much time off. Everyone is

different and deals with the pain of TT or the hypo

symtpoms differently. I would plan on at least a week

and take it from there.

Good luck!

--- dfhakes@... wrote:

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to

> communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said

> one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an

> additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say

> anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working

> from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if

> so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the

> hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after

> that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without

> contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

>

>

=====

Christy, 42, Las Vegas

2.5 cm Follicular and .9 mm Papillary

2/26/01 LL (Frozen Section was read as benign)

3/10/01 TT after a positive final pathology

Hypoparathyroidism (.5 Rocaltrol/1500 mg calcium daily)

3/28/01 145 mCi RAI (without LID)

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi dfhakes...

I had a left lobe removed on 2/26/01 to determine if

the nodule was cancer. Because the type of cancer I

had was so hard to diagnose, the intial frozen section

was read as benign and I was sent home. I took a week

off from work and returned the following Monday. I

received the report that the nodule was malignant on

3/1/01 and was readmitted to remove the other lobe on

3/10/01. Again, I took only 1 week off from work. By

3/28/01 my TSH level had risen sufficiently to do the

RAI. I felt fine before the RAI but found I need a

four week leave of absence due to the hypo symtpoms I

began experiencing following RAI.

As they say here, YMMV (your mileage may vary), and

you may or may not require much time off. Everyone is

different and deals with the pain of TT or the hypo

symtpoms differently. I would plan on at least a week

and take it from there.

Good luck!

--- dfhakes@... wrote:

> Hello everyone.

>

> I met with the boss and HR this morning and tried to

> communicate my

> time-off needs as best as possible. My surgeon said

> one week off

> post-op, but I cautioned that I might need an

> additional week if I

> have to have the second half removed. He didn't say

> anything about

> the second week, but I'm trying to negotiate working

> from home.

>

> It's highly likely that I have to have RAI, and if

> so, how much time

> off work is required? I know 2-3 days in the

> hospital, but don't I

> need to be in seclusion at home for a week after

> that? For example,

> how would I use the sink and toilet at work without

> contaminating

> anyone?

>

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dana

>

>

=====

Christy, 42, Las Vegas

2.5 cm Follicular and .9 mm Papillary

2/26/01 LL (Frozen Section was read as benign)

3/10/01 TT after a positive final pathology

Hypoparathyroidism (.5 Rocaltrol/1500 mg calcium daily)

3/28/01 145 mCi RAI (without LID)

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/24/2001 11:50:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

dfhakes@... writes:

> Oh - anyone know any restrictions on airline travel?

>

Even though I'm a stay-at-home mom, some discussion of this came up with my

doctors last year during my first rounds of RAI as we were trying to figure

out how long I'd have to be away from our young children.

It was used as an example -- the doctor was trying to explain the

dose/distance bit, and the comment was you wouldn't get on an airplane

because you'd be in too close contact with people that might not be able to

have you next to, such as children or pregnant ladies.

I would allow for at least the week after you are out of the hospital to stay

home and not a) recoup some energy and not contaminate people. If you're

not feeling too draggy, and working from home is an option you might be able

to handle some work at home during that time.

Kathy

pap

tt 7/00 RAI 8/00

scan 7/01 showing uptake still in thyroid bed but 'significantly less' than

post-treatment scan in 00.