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Pregnancy

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Original poster

13 weeks - mum has cancer - radioactive blood tests

13 replies

surfmama · 14/12/2011 21:56

hello oh i am in such a panic. I just visited my mum as she has just been told her cancer is back and I wanted to give her some support. She went to the hosi today for blood tests. I was lying on the sofa when she told me she had been injected with radioactive 'stuff' i have no idea why as she didn't have a scan, that's friday. anyway i was supposed to be staying the night but sort of freaked out and left, which really upset me as I felt really selfish but am so worried the injection may be a risk to my bump, does anyone have any experience of this? should i stop freaking out? can radioactivity get to my baby? god i feel shite.

OP posts:

missorinoco · 14/12/2011 22:00

Sorry to hear this, both about your Mum and the scare.

Not quite sure what she has been injected with, they are usually very strict re warnings as to whom you can go near after radioactivity, and as far as I recall scans are done on the same day.

The sensible thing to do was to leave if there were concerns re radioactivity; for your peace of mind I would ring the ward tonight to clarify if that is what she had, and if so, ask if you can speak with someone tomorrow about it.

HTH

Original poster

surfmama · 14/12/2011 22:05

hi thanks for your message, yes i think you are right i will contact the hospital tomorrow, I have no idea what department she went to, probably nuclear meds and I don't think there will be anyone there in the evening. it would be nice to have an idea now... but i may have to sleep and then call them i think. thank you for your advice and kind thoughts

OP posts:

PacificDogwood · 14/12/2011 22:09

I was pregnant with DS3 when DS2 had a nuclear medicine scan which involved radioactive dye being used.
I was told that for the day of the test I should not have DS2 on my lap for extented periods of time, but that lifting him in and out of the car etc and normal, social contact was ok. No additional measures were required the following day.
DS3, now aged almost 4, is absolutely fine .

AFAIK the radioactive markers used in nuclear medicine has an extremely short half-life, so break down quickly.
Did your mum really not have a scan after having the injection?? That's a bit odd...
Sorry to hear she has to deal with this nasty disease again - I hope she gets on well.

Original poster

surfmama · 14/12/2011 22:23

arr thank you for your message. I am pleased DS3 is 4 and fine must have been scary, or it would have been for me, to go through that. yes it is odd that she didn't have a scan afterwards, I don't understand it, but she does like to be a bit secretive about things...so it is a guessing game sometimes. It just made me worry a bit that she didn't have a scan so what did they inject her with if it was for blood tests? makes no sense, think she may have had a scan and is not telling me. I did give her a kiss, nothing i can do now so will try and not panic and be filled with fear...!

OP posts:

PacificDogwood · 14/12/2011 22:40

I think I'd try and get a bit more information about what actually went on tbh. If you phone the hospital they are quite likely not to give you any information due to confidentiality issues. Maybe your mum could phone for you? Or you could phone in her presence so they could speak to her and get her consent?
Hope you get some sleep tonight.

idlevice · 15/12/2011 00:52

Your mum should have been given clear instructions on any restrictions she should be under, in writing, although understandably she may not have been clear on them due to the stress of the situation etc I would be very confident there is no risk to you or the pregnancy & hope you can get formal reassurance.

Original poster

surfmama · 15/12/2011 09:04

morning - pregnancy and worry don't make for a good nights sleep, at last I have news from the very nice man at the nuc department. He knew her by name and said she had had a chromium injection which i have since investigated to be a test for red blood cell count (i think) and that there was absolutely no risk at all. I am still quite glad I didn't stay over, but am assured now so will just go outside in the force 11 breeze at the seaside here and get anything else blown away! thanks so much everyone for your messages. I do now wonder (as it seems i have to have something to worry about) what effect all my howling and stress last night would have had on jumping bean, so just for today i will try and think happy thoughts and eat well....

OP posts:

whenskiesaregrey · 15/12/2011 09:42

I was going to ask something very similar to this. My mum is having 3 weeks of radiotherapy treatment in the new year, and i will be about 13-14 weeks pregnant when it starts. I need to find out what the restrictions are, if any!

Original poster

surfmama · 15/12/2011 11:45

Oh so sorry to hear that. It's complete pants. I don't have much understanding but I think radiotherapy may be alright. It only acts on the person being treated. However there are different types. the hospital do seem to be good at telling people so maybe you could give them a call in advance so that you know, my worry really is that I am trying to not make my mum seem like an alien, so if you knew in advance you could prepare what to say. Are you feeling okay emotionally? I am completely mental and am going to get in touch with my homeopath today for some kind of homeopathic tranquiliser dart!

OP posts:

LIG1979 · 15/12/2011 12:11

Hello Surfmama,

Many years back I used to give advice to people about what to do following radioactive iodine for thyroid issues - it is a bit hazy but I'll try to give advice.

You mum should have been given advice about what to do following her treatment. She should have a leaflet about what to do and how to keep the dose to people below the a certain dose. It does depend on what type of radiation she had and its' half life (time to decay). The leaflet should have a number of the radiation protection center so you can ring for more advice.

However, the dose is likely to be low and the major risk would be if you slept in a bed with her all night or sat on her lap for the whole visit. Please do not worry - the radiation usually drops off fairly quickly with time and your distance from her.

LIG1979 · 15/12/2011 12:15

whenskiesaregrey Radiotherapy will be absolutely fine. It is just like having strong x-rays fired at the cancer and the radiation will be gone by the time she leaves the treatment room. There is no risk at all to you from the treatment. (The only risk would be if you entered the room but the radiographers don't even do that and they wouldn't let you do that at all. Please don't worry.

whenskiesaregrey · 15/12/2011 12:55

Thanks LIG and surfmama.

Surfmama, we are okay, my mum has been having treatment for 7 months now, so hopefully the radiotherapy will be the last thing. Like you, I don't want my mum to be alienated, she already has enough to deal with!

Hope things go okay for you and your mum.

PrincessSugarPlum · 15/12/2011 14:17

Hey, I'm glad that you have your answer surfmama, and there is nothing to worry about.

I was going to wade in with reassurance that it is long close contact after the radioactive material. When my mum had it done, she had a massive hug with my sister. Who found out she was pg the next day! all fine, of course.

Skies - sorry to hear your mum is going through stuff. Mine is too - ongoing treatment. For her, the radiotherapy wasn't all that bad - chemo was way worse! And certainly no risk to you. Support her as you normally would and your bean will give her an extra boost, as I know mine does (to my mum, not yours!!) xx

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