Thyroid Scan

I had thyroid scan scheduled for 18/Jul at Rumah Sakit Kanker Dharmais (RSKD). But, since RSKD required me, patient who uses general insurance, to at least had 1 consultation before getting my scan, so I made an appointment with dr. Yustia for 17/Jul.

I made appointment directly through dr. Yustia's personal number since I really couldn't rely on RSKD staff to make one for me. So, I came to RSKD on 17/Jul basically to fulfill the hospital requirements. Nothing much to discussed as I have enough knowledge on the procedure.

On 18/Jul, I left home around 6:00 AM because I had to arrive  before 7:30 AM. Hubby was ill, so I asked my mother to accompany me. Patient registration for insurance holder was quite troublesome, but it was still better than using BPJS. I wonder how long the BPJS patient must wait before getting
their examination.

After registration done, at first I headed to the lab to get my blood drawn, and then to the nuclear facility. It was almost lunch time and I really could use some sleep, but I was so anxious getting my name called. A few minutes later, an hospital staff called my name and guided me to this one particular room. There were already some patients waiting in the room.

Apparently, these patients were waiting for two kind of scan, thyroid scan for thyroid cancer patients, and bone scan for other type of cancer patient. I did not know much about bone scan, but this is the explanation of thyroid scan I could compile for few sources:

"Thyroid scan is a specialized imaging procedure for examining thyroid, and the scan works with nuclear medicine to evaluate the way your thyroid functions. Radioactive iodine (RAI) is typically used in thyroid scan since thyroid and most types of thyroid cancer absorb iodine naturally."

The RAI came in metal cylinder which looks very heavy, and the radiology officer who handled it wore protective equipment. I got RAI injected to my system, and then I must wait for half an hour to let my body absorbs it. For patients getting bone scan, they must wait for 2 hours.

After around 30 minutes, a radiologist called my name and guided me to another room. There was this machine, not as big as MRI machine, located in the center. Picture below taken from internet for illustration only, as I did not had any chance to take any picture.

I lied down for about 30 minutes, feeling suffocated because the distance between my face and the machine was only few centimeters. When it was finally over, I was told to go back to waiting room and to drink a lot of fluids to prompt the release of the radioactive iodine through urine.

After a bottle of water, I finally took a leak. I asked the hospital staff to measure my radiation level after finishing my business. My radiation level was slightly under the limit, but the hospital staff did not want to release me just yet. She asked me to drink more and come to her after I urinate, again. I did what she wanted, and half an hour later, I was discharged.

The day I had thyroid scan was another unforgettable experience. On that day, I had a chance to interact with other cancer patients. I heard their stories, their experience when they learned that their cancer has recurred, witnessed when one of them was experiencing excruciating pain.

I couldn't help but feeling lucky. Weird huh, I got cancer and still feeling lucky?

Yeah, I was lucky enough. I was lucky enough to have an amazing support system. I was lucky enough I could have necessary treatment at any hospital of my choice.  I was lucky enough to have the best doctors treating me.

In the end, luck was all I need.