At Home Isolation

I am having RAI at the end of May. I have 3 kids ages 17,11 and 6. Is it safe for them to be in the same house with me for the first few days if I stay in a separate bedroom with bath.  After the first critical days I still plan to keep a safe distance from them with minimal contact..for a while.

I have mine late this week, but from everything that I've read here (search some threads) and on the web and talked with veterans you are absolutely okay. You just have to follow a bunch of precautions (see my thread called Radiation Time a few days back; I got some good advice). I also talked with a pharmaceutical company buddy of mine who used to work with radiation. He said (and he's double checking RAI 131) that's the type of radiation that really can't travel very far at all. Very concentrated in a very small distance. He's not concerned about being in me in the same house as my family. The only spreadable way is if you: A. hugged someone for so long and so close that you became one object. Or more likely... B. That other person ingests in their mouth your expelled radiation (liquid). So washing hands is a big help for you so that anything "wet" of yours goes away from potential contact points. But you walking through a room or being in the house won't make you a dirty bomb. So just in case I'll clean my bathroom well afterwards. I'll sleep on a an old tossable comforter on my bed, wear old pre-tossed out clothes. Eat with disposables that I'll bag at the end of isolation. And just try to be able to remove anything fluidy on anything that gets left afterwards for touching. RedStar17

Thanks so much. Your message was just what I needed to see. I think I'm finally getting a feel for this isolation thing.

I got my RAI today and started isolation.  It's not so bad...you get to just relax.  My husband is in the house and there's no problem per the radiation doctor.  For three days you can't spend time in the same room as others, can't touch anyone or anything others will come in contact with.  I covered my tv remotes with saran wrap, wear gloves on the computer and when I'm in the kitchen.  I have been told to flush three times, let the water run awhile after washing my hands, clean my sheets daily, and take 3 showers a day.  I was the shower and let the water run after each shower.  From everything I've been told, it's really a precaution only.  If it was that dangerous you be staying in the hospital for 3-4 days.  Also, drink alot and constantly eat lemon drops to keep your salivary glands working.

I have two pets.  They don't understand and want to come to me, but we put up a gate to keep them out and make sure they don't have contact with me.  That will probably be the case with your 6 yr old.  You will have to ask your doctor though.  To error on the side of caution, they may ask your 6 yr old to sleep out of the house for the first 2-3 days.

Good luck