Some advice

Without thyroid all memory goes (mainly because our brain deletes the negative or painful experiences), I recommend keeping a journal with all the phone numbers you need (family doctor, endocrinologist, secretary of the Department of Nuclear Medicine for reservations, dial numbers of nuclear physicians, etc.)..

Additionally you should keep a note of all instructions to be followed in the preparation of the various diagnostic tests (blood tests, Whole Body Scintigraphy, Whole Body PET, etc.).: how to book them, if you can drink water, if it is necessary to clean the gut, if you can take medications, which entrance of the hospital you must enter (when you are radioactive obviously you cannot enter the waiting room, but from a private entrance separate from the public).

For those who already had ​​radioactive iodine therapy, it is useful to write down everything that you need to bring from home.

To me the following items were indispensable:

- Seaband (bracelets foam against nausea)

- Candies (preferably sugarless): to avoid obstruction of the salivary glands is well to suck orange or lemon candies to induce salivation and prevent problems at a distance of 6-9 months of therapy. Bring a good supply for 3 days.

- wet wipes for washing: in my hospital room there was no shower.

- Earplugs (you can run into a roommate who snores or who loves to watch television) .

Write down all of the possible symptoms during hospitalization: if you were to repeat the treatment in the future, at least you will know what to expect.

During the first year after surgery, the visits, diagnostic tests and deadlines to keep in mind are many: use a calendar where to mark appointments already set, when to collect the tests results and all other deadlines. It 'also useful to monitor the amount of drugs that you have at home and schedule the request referrals from family doctor for their purchase: this avoids the stress of being without life-saving drugs and having to rush at the last minute.

During the period of thyroid hormone withdrawal and the resulting hypothyroidism it is better not to drive, the level of attention is very low. Don’t scruple to ask someone  to accompany you to appointments.

Anyway it is always good to ask some friend or relative to go with you, four ears are better than two.

Think you can do it all yourself is absurd, so get used to ask for help.