Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust : I131 Treatment : What is in my cubicle?

The suite has the following facilities:

An en-suite bathroom, which includes a toilet, bath and shower.

Although a small bag of toiletries is provided eg soap, shampoo, bath gel, bath gel, toothpaste, toothbrush and shower cap you may prefer to bring your own.

We would advise that you bring travel size toiletries (eg soap, shampoo, bath gel, bath gel, toothpaste, tooth brush and make-up) as these can be discarded, with minimal wastage, when you are discharged from hospital.

Disposable razors, sanitary items and top-up items are available on request. Towels are also available but you may wish to bring your own. We are happy for you to use hospital towels as bath mats.

While you are in hospital we would advise that you undertake the following measures in order to help remove unwanted radioactive iodine from your body:

Have a shower each day.
Drink between two to three litres of fluid a day (after your capsule)
Empty your bladder regularly, eg every three to four hours, while also being careful not to splash urine outside the toilet basin.
Empty your bowels each day.

A small kitchen area. You may be asked to share your kitchen facilities with another patient, of the same sex, who is having the same or similar treatment.

Meals will be placed on the bench in the entrance of your cubicle. A sink, washing up liquid and bowl are provided in the kitchen to enable you to wash your own cutlery and crockery, as this needs to remain in your room. Unwanted food should be disposed of using the waste disposal unit in the kitchen sink.

There is a small refrigerator in your cubicle and you may wish to bring a supply of mineral water, squash or fruit and other items that you are able to eat while on a low Iodine diet.

Although tea and coffee making facilities are available in the kitchen, including a kettle, please advise the ward staff if you require any additional supplies of tea, coffee, milk or sugar.

You will have been advised by your Consultant to eat a low Iodine diet for three weeks before and 48 hours after you treatment. Although in most cases you will be able to select your meals from the ward menu this may be influenced by any additional special dietary requirements you may have eg vegetarian.

Please contact the ward before your admission if you have any additional dietary requirements which they will need to take into account during your stay.

Unfortunately Patient line is not available in your cubicle. There is however a TV and DVD player in your cubicle which you do not need to pay to view. There is no telephone service.

Loan equipment: a hairdryer and CD player are available for you to use while you are in hospital. Please feel free to bring your own CDs from home.

Radioiodine (I131) Treatment for Thyroid Cancer

What is in the radioiodine suite?