How Far Should I Go?

I am someone who once was a size 0 in college. Now after carrying twins and having my hyperthyroidism treated with the radioactive iodine treatment, I am a 132lbs. This may not seem like a lot to some people, but it is to me, considering how petite I use to be. On top of that, I will probably still gain some wait because the treatment is likely to make me hypo- in place of being hyper-.

To counter the potential weight gain, I have started an exercise regimen (to use the term loosely) by using my stepper everyday if possible. Check out my 1 million steps ticker on my sidebar. I wonder if it's making a difference though? I have the usual obstacles . . . time and the hot summer weather. I was never one to advocate taking diet pills to aid in weight loss. In fact, my husband considered taking some years ago and I really did not like the idea at all. Now, I am not so sure. I wonder if I will need help in addition to the bit of exercise I get? What are your opinions on the matter?


Thank you to Sybervision.com for sponsoring this post.

Keeping Busy (Day 3 of 10)

After the rain and clouds cleared away, it turned out to be a nice afternoon. My husband took the kids outside for some fresh air. I was able to wave to them from the window and watch them for a bit. My husband snapped some pictures for me, so I could see my children up close.

Since I stopped taking my medication in April, my symptoms have been reappearing . . . heart palpatation (even though I'm on heart medication), muscle weakness, trembling limbs, heat intolerance, etc . . . Now we can add insomnia to the list. To distract myself, I plugged away at my project for my Cafe Press shop all afternoon and evening. Sadly I did not finish it. I have no doubt that I will definitely finish it by tomorrow afternoon though. Who knows, maybe I'll have trouble sleeping again and I'll decide to work through the night? We'll see . . .

Weekend Plans

Just four days to go
before my treatment and then
isolation starts.

Trying to prepare
the best we possibly can
for the ten long days.

Making to-do lists,
buying tons of prepared foods,
and scheduling help.

As I had mentioned in this previous post, I am going to undergo radioactive iodine treatment for my Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism). So starting on Tuesday, May 6th, I will not be able to go within 8ft of my children for 10 days and then I will not be able to hold them to me for another 4 days after that. I will not be able to be near my husband or our pets for more than just a brief moment for the first 7 days.

I admit that I am a little nervous that I will go stir crazy. I know I'll love not having diapers to change and dishes to do for the first few days, but what happens after that? To help us get through this strange time, we have set up webcams so that I can see my husband and children, and they in turn will be able to see me. I have made a looooooooooooong list of things to do to keep myself busy . . . both productive things and leisurely things. When you think about it, this may be the only vacation I'll get for a few years. I might as well make the best of it, right?

Thanks for reading my first Haiku Friday post! Stop by A Mommy Story to meet all the Haiku Friday participants.

The Sunny Side of Radiation?

On May 6th, 2008, I will be undergoing a radioactive iodine treatment for my Grave's Disease. If you have never heard of such a treatment, here is a description from the CNN Health/Library:

"Radioactive iodine treatment. To make thyroid hormone, your body needs iodine and will use whatever form of iodine is available in your blood. If you take radioactive iodine, the iodine collects in your thyroid gland, and over time the radioactivity destroys the overactive thyroid cells. This causes the thyroid gland to shrink, and problems lessen gradually, usually over several weeks to several months. Because this treatment causes thyroid activity to decline, you likely will later need thyroxine treatment to supply your body with normal amounts of thyroid hormones. Treatment doesn't require a hospital stay. Radioactive iodine treatment may increase your risk of new or worsened symptoms of Graves' ophthalmopathy. This side effect is usually mild and temporary, but radioactive iodine therapy may not be recommended if you already have moderate to severe eye problems. After radioactive iodine treatment, any iodine not taken up into the thyroid gland is excreted in your urine and saliva. This is the most common therapy used for adults with hyperthyroidism in the United States. "

Anyways, after I have this treatment, I cannot go within 8ft of my children for 10 whole days. I am pretty much to be confined to my bedroom. I am going to miss them terribly and hope they will not be too confused by my absense. At first I wanted to wait until my three children (currently 4 and 15months) were older, but we had come to realize that there would never be a convenient time for me to have this treatment.

Instead of sulking, I decided to make a list of the positive things that would result from my 10 days of isolation:

1. The most obvious benefit is that I would no longer suffer from Grave's Disease.


2. I will have 10 days of unlimited computer time.


3. I will have much extra time to work on Sillymonkeez.com, which I have been neglecting.


4. I can watch television that is not G-rated.


5. My husband gets to make my meals and serve them to me in bed.


6. I will have lots of time to post on SuperMoms World.


7. I can take a shower everyday for 10 days without having to schedule it around the children.


8. I can watch all those DVDs we've purchased over the past two years but are still factory-sealed.


9. I can catch up on the ABC Daytime Soaps.


10. I can read all the magazines that have been thrown into a basket unopened.


11. Best of all, I can TAKE A NAP anytime I want during those 10 days, instead of just once every month or two.

If you got this far, thanks for taking the time to read this.