What to expect with radioactive iodine treatment

To treat my thyroid cancer I had radioactive iodine therapy, which is a tiny tablet that you swallow that makes you highly radioactive and it essentially just kills all your cancer cells.

After taking it I stayed in a lead-lined hospital room for about one week and then at home for a further month. I stayed in my bedroom and I couldn’t go near anyone because I was radioactive – even things I touched had to be disposed of. I’d had a high dose of treatment, hence my long period of isolation - some people who have smaller doses don’t have to isolate for as long.

I experienced a number of side effects. I was exhausted for a month afterward, I felt sick for one to two months and I was off food for a good couple of months, due to changes in my taste.

For me the isolation aspect of the treatment was the worst. The week in hospital with no one coming in or out of your room, apart from someone dropping food off at your door, was not enjoyable.  Then, when I came home to my own house, at least I had my home comforts, but I was still isolated.  Coming out of isolation at the end was so daunting. I had spent the past five weeks within four walls, so it took some time to work through that.

The thing that made my isolation the best it could be was making a list of TV series and movies to watch and ticking them off as I did so.  I also enjoyed reading, colouring in, painting, puzzles, listening to music, and crafts.  What I found helpful was getting up in the morning and making a list of things to do - even if it was just to make my bed and wash my face or brush my hair - so that I felt productive in some way.

I had my scan results just before Christmas and I had a good uptake in my neck, which showed it was working. I also had some physio. Going back to work has gotten me back into a routine and given me a purpose again.

I will experience tiredness for the first year after treatment and have to take various medicines. Life still isn’t normal, but it’s the new normal for me.