Re: My (Theragen) Scan dose today

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

This is my second letter to the group. tells me my first made it to

the server but I never received it in my e-mail. I'm writing again (LOL, hope

I see this one) because I want to warn everyone how to avoid a huge mistake

for doing something so simply. It's kinda long but I'm sending you my letter to

. It'll tell you about my day.........

Hi , I hate to do this but I just feel I have to tell someone who can

appreciate and knows what we go through. Never did I expect what happened

today. I hope you don't mind if I vent to you. Maybe somehow we can warn the

people on the list so this won't ever happen to them too. Today was a freaking

disaster. I did my labwork early this morning to see how high the TSH rose. I

did it the Theragen way. I went to the hospital and everything was going good

until they gave me the 4 mci's.

The tech opened the metal container and rolled the pill into my hand. You

AREN'T supposed to make contact with the skin. It's supposed to be put in a cup

and you swallow it. Well, there was an error, a malfunction in processing

the pill. What rolled out was a capsule that had only one side and he poured

powdered radioactive iodine in my hand!! He tried to remain calm. The doctor

just took a step back. The tech ran and got something to scrap it off my hand

and back into the container. Then came the " Decon " (decontamination) process.

I had to us a special radioactive wash for a few minutes and rinse. Then

they used the Geiger counter. HIGH. A second wash. Still High. A third was.

Still high. They hand me hold this solution in my hand. Still didn't work.

They read me at 10 MRs. Worse yet, they said they couldn't get me another

capsule until Thursday. I said I had the injections and it would make the test

invalid if I waited. They apologized saying they couldn't do anything. There

were calls back and forth trying to get an OK from my Endo. She said it's

been pre-authorized, that this time I would have to pay.....but since it was the

fault of the hospital....actually the manufacturer they would have to pay for

it.

However, time is of the essence because I need a CT of the neck with

contrast.....so I have to have the I-131 done first. I was freaking out. I

called my

job and I asked them if they could get a dose for the scan. Only because I

work for them they put in an order and I booked it 50 miles away to get the scan

dose done. They checked my hand and it reads 14 MRs, not 10 about 4 hours

after it touched me. They suggested I wear a glove to protect my family. (The

original hospital told me to wash my hands *frequently*) I can't believe this

whole ordeal. Now I have to run back to the hospital that made a mistake to

pick up prior films to bring to this place. I originally didn't want to go

where I work because the head doctor specifically said do not do Theragen. I

had 100 RAI and I needed to do the scan Hypo. I didn't want any problems at

work but then this crap happened and I had to let everyone know about my

situation. I am so upset. I can't believe this happened. I want to get a hold

of

the incident report. The safety officer made like it was no big deal. They

made a mistake in how it was given and the manufacturer made a mistake

processing the pill. I was screwed two ways! Thank heavens work came through

for me.

But I had to impose on another Nuc Med doctor to sign off (paged him to come

from Wood ) on the order to get the 4 mci's. And I had to tell

him that I didn't want a doctor he works with to know what's going on. This

is such a mess. I guess it was a blessing that I work where I work but I was

trying so hard to keep everything quiet. But had I not worked there I would

have had to reschedule and get more Theragen and scan another time. Then I

couldn't get my CT and then I would still be worrying about the lumps in my

throat

and figuring out what's going to happen about my submandibular glands. I'd

like to send a note to the group that tells them don't ever let the tech put the

capsule in your hand. Refuse it. Make sure it's in the cup. Something so

simply could avoid so many problems. I'm typing wearing a rubber glove. My

left hand isn't as hot. Like I said to you earlier. If it can happen.....it

happens to me. LOL Makes my life interesting. Thanks for hearing me vent.

Take care, Maggie

[Guest guest]

Maggie-

What a mess! Where did you go for your dose? And where were you supposed to

go? (just being nosey!)

I hope your scan turns up negative.

Good luck!! I hope you have no more unexpected excitement for awhile!

~Kim in NJ

pap ca 3.9 cm

TT 1/8/02

RAI 7/2/02

clean scan 7/24/03!!!!!!