Permanent Treatment

Beth had a doctor's appointment this week. It was her yearly check up with her endocrinologist. Beth has hyperthyroidism, Graves Disease, did I tell you that?

She started taking Methimozole a few years ago and her thyroid became normal. So she stopped taking it but after 6 months, it came back. So she went back on it. This could go on for years. At her appointment this week the doctor talked about doing a more permanent treatment. Basically she'd have a radiation treatment that would kill her thyroid and she'd have to take thyroid medication for the rest of her life.

The radiation treatment lasts for 3 days and during that time she can't be within 6 feet of anyone, has to have a private bathroom, her clothes and sheets have to be washed separately from everything else and no one can touch her dishes. What ever she uses as far as plates, cups, silverware has to be put in the dishwasher by her and her alone. I asked if she could use plastic but she can't because then all the radiation would end up in the landfill. She'll have to flush the toilet twice every time she uses it and she can't leave the room for more than a few minutes at a time.

If she continues on the Methimozole for much longer, it can cause liver damage. Her liver tests this week came back okay but we don't want to risk it much longer. So now we have a decision to make. Not necessarily about doing the permanent treatment, we've decided that needs to be done.

The big decision now is... when. And how. Beth's apartment is downstairs but she doesn't have a bathroom or kitchen. She would have to come upstairs to use the bathroom and shower. We can fix her meals up here and take them down to her. We also want to make sure it's not during, uh, that time of the month. I'll be able to take some vacation time so I can be home with her. It seems a little daunting at this point.