The treatment is an oral radiation agent. The Iodine is treated to be
radioactive. There is residual radiation for some time as the radioactive
iodine is taken up by cells in the body. Those cells eventually die and are
dismantled and eliminated as waste products. However, there is a half life
due to some recirculation that occurs as some substances can be reabsorbed
from wastes such as urine and feces before they leave her body. Fortunately,
only thryroid cells will be affected; however, her baby's tiny thyroid gland
would be very vulnerable.

-----Original Message-----
From: Karleen Gribble [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 8:26 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: thyroid cancer, I-131 NaI


I don't know the specifics of the drugs involved but surely they get out of
the system eventually and at that stage there would be nothing preventing
this mother from resuming breastfeeding. She would have the option of
maintaining her milk supply via expressing or relactating. I had a friend in
this situation some years ago. I know it was very difficult for her to wean
and that she had so many losses surrounding having cancer (traumatic
separation from her baby, loss of confidence in her body, potential loss of
future children). Loss of breastfeeding just added to these losses and I
wish that I had known then what I know now and had encouraged her to either
maintain her supply or relactate. Breastfeeding is important to some women,
maybe you can explore the issue of loss with this mum and see whether
avoiding the permanent loss of breastfeeding with this baby is worth what it
would cost in terms of effort to resume breastfeeding.
I know what I would be doing.
Karleen Gribble
Australia



> I searched the archives, but have found no positive news for this mother.
I
> read the case where a mother researched the I-131 treatment & elected to
> refuse the treatment.  Am I correct in determining that this woman
> definitely has to wean her child?  It appears that the use of NaI in such
a
> large dose eliminates the possibility for this mom to pump/freeze/test the
> milk to use at a later time.  I am completely out of my field and would
> appreciate any advice.

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