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YTTRIUM-90 (Y-90) EMBOLIZATION PRE-AND POST PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

You are receiving this information on embolization with Yttrium-90 radiation treatment as part of your discharge instructions.

 

By the time you get to Yttrium-90 radioactive bead placement procedure you have had numerous imaging tests including a pre angiogram with embolization usually the week before Yttrium-90 radioactive bead placement procedure in order to plan the route through the vascular system for the radioactive bead placement and exact calculation of the dosage of radioactive beads. Today you will be having your Yttrium-90 embolization procedure.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE

 

Yttrium-90 embolization is a way of delivering cancer treatment directly to a tumor. The liver is the most common part of the body for Yttrium-90 embolization to be used, although it can be done in other areas.

 

Under x-ray guidance, a small catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin. The catheter’s tip is threaded into the artery in the liver that supplies blood flow to the tumor. The Yttrium-90 radioactive beads are injected through the catheter into the hepatic artery (liver blood supply). The size of the Yttrium-90 radioactive beads (spheres) allows them to flow thru the arteries but they are too small to pass through the small blood vessels within tumor, where they become permanently lodged in the tumor bed. The Yttrium-90 beads (spheres) deliver beta radiation over a relatively short distance. 97% of dosage is delivered in the first 2 weeks following treatment.

 

 

BENEFITS:

 

Clinical data shows that when used in combination with chemotherapy, SIR-Spheres (radioactive beads) may shrink patients’ liver tumors more than chemotherapy alone.

 

They may improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.

 

For a small amount of patients, the treatment can cause sufficient shrinkage of the liver tumor to permit its removal by surgery at a later date.

 

In tumors who are no longer responding to chemotherapy, the treatment have also been used successfully to shrink these tumors and extend patients’ survival.

 

 

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS/RISKS:

 

  • Embolization or blocking of the wrong site resulting in loss of blood supply to normal tissue.
  • Infection at IV or groin sites.
  • Allergic reaction to contrast (dye)
  • In rare instances and even in experienced hands, a small number of Yttrium-90 radioactive beads (spheres) may inadvertently reach other organs in the body, such as the gall bladder, stomach, intestine or pancreas. If the Yttrium-90 radioactive beads reach these organs, they may cause inflammation of the gall bladder (cholecystitis), stomach (gastritis), or intestine (duodenitis). These complications are rare, but if one of these occurs they normally require additional treatment. Your treatment team will have received special training to minimize these risks and to prevent them from happening.

 

 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

  • You will need to sign consent.
  • You will be on a heart monitor, Blood pressure monitor and your oxygen level will be  monitored with a probe on your finger.
  • The doctor and technologist will be dressed in sterile clothing.
  • During the test you will be given some medicine to help you relax. Discuss any sedation  concerns with the doctor before the test begins.
  • You will need to lie very still during the test.
  • The area in your arm or leg that will be used to insert the catheter will be washed and  clipped.
  • You will get a numbing medicine put in the groin area so you don’t feel the catheter going into the artery.
  • When the dye is given you may feel a warm, flushed feeling.
  • The person performing the test will watch your flow of blood on a TV monitor.
  • Pictures of your arteries will be taken during the procedure.
  • Ask your doctor, nurse or technologist any questions you might have or tell them if you are uncomfortable in any way (you’re cold, need to urinate, having pain etc.)
  • The catheter will be removed when the procedure is done. It will be very important to keep pressure on the spot where the catheter was inserted. The technologist will apply the pressure as needed. A closure device to reduce the risk of bleeding will be used if applicable.
  • The test usually takes 1-3 hours.
  • You will have an IV in your arm or hand during and after the procedure until discharge.
  • Immediately post procedure the radiology nurse will transport you on the cart to nuclear  medicine where you will have a scan to verify correct location of radiation beads. The radiology nurse shall stay with you and monitor you until exam is completed. (approx. 45 minutes) then she will transport you to the Same Day Medical or short stay area to recover. 

 

*If you have anesthesia, you may be transported to Recovery first and then the radiology nurse will come to take you to nuclear medicine for the post procedure scan.

 

 

ROUTINE POST PROCEDURAL DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

 

 

DIET

 

  • Drink lots of fluids over the next 24 hours (unless contraindicated) to flush the dye out of your  system. Continue to drink 8 to10 glasses daily of (non-caffeinated beverages over the next 2-3 weeks) .
  • Since you have had sedation, and nausea is a common side effect of this procedure, start  your diet off slowly with clear liquids and light foods, then progress as tolerated.

 

 

ACTIVITY

 

  • Do not drive while taking narcotic pain medications (example;Percocet, vicodin, oxycodone etc)
  • Shower as needed. Avoid swimming for 2 weeks.
  • Do not over exert yourself. If you become tired, rest.
  • Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for 2-3 weeks after the procedure.
  • Avoid long drives or airplanes for at least 2 weeks after the procedure.
  • The sedation you received for your procedure is still in your system. Therefore, we would like you to take it easy the rest of the day and evening. (Do not drive and avoid drinking alcohol). You will probably be requested to remain in bed for 2 to 4 hours after the procedure.
  • Check with your nurse before attempting to get up.

 

 

WOUND/INCISIONAL CARE

 

  • Check the area where the catheter was inserted (in your leg or arm) before you leave the hospital so you know what it looks and feels like.
  • Check the site in your leg (arm) where the catheter was inserted every morning and evening, looking for changes. You may remove the dressing/bandaid the next day. Keep the site clean using soap and water.

 

 

PAIN MANAGEMENT

 

  • You may use over the counter medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain unless otherwise contraindicated. Discuss any other over the counter use of Aspirin and Ibuprophen products with your doctor before using them.
  • Most patients feel some side effects after Yttrium-90 embolization. You may experience pain, nausea, and/or fever (less than 101 degrees). Abdominal discomfort (Right upper side) and nausea are the most common symptoms post procedure. The degree of pain will vary from patient to patient. Pain and nausea medicine is available to you per doctor’s orders. You will receive a prescription for these medications to take home.

 

 

MEDICATION CHANGES

 

  • Take all your medications as ordered by your doctor, unless otherwise instructed. Patients on metformin should not take it for the next 48 hours and should call the physician who manages their diabetes before restarting this medication.
  • Take your prescribed antacid medication daily for the next 4 weeks.
  • No chemotherapy treatments for 2 weeks post procedure unless instructed differently by your physician.

 

 

POST PROCEDURAL SIGNS/SYMPTOMS TO BE EXPECTED

 

  • There is a minimal risk to others due to the Yttrium-90 radioactive beads in the first 2 weeks which diminishes as the days go by. (eg. holding children/pets on your lap or carrying them around should be avoided for the 2 weeks) It is best to avoid close proximity to pregnant women and children for 2 weeks. 3 feet distance should be more than sufficient space. Either sleep separately from your spouse/others/pets or keep a distance (12 inches sufficient distance) in the bed from each other avoiding prolonged close physical contact. Precautions are about time and distance, so a minimal time exposure such as walking past you would hold a very unlikelihood of risk for exposure to anyone.
  • Avoid pregnancy within 2 months post treatment.
  • •Do not breast feed for 2 months post treatment. Discard expressed breast milk for those 2  weeks.
  • Some patients are admitted for at least 23 hours post procedure and are discharged after the  pain and nausea have subsided.
  • Fever (less than 101 degrees) are normal for up to 2 weeks after the procedure. Chills and  night sweats may also occur.
  • Fatigue and loss of appetite are common for 2 weeks and may last longer. It is essential to  stay well hydrated (drink plenty of non-caffeinated beverages) and eat small frequent meals to regain your strength and appetite. Dehydration is to be avoided. Contact your physician if you are unable to comply with drinking fluids.

 

 

POST PROCEDURAL SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION OF YOUR PHYSICIAN

 

  • Swelling, redness or pus drainage at the puncture site.
  • If your pain suddenly changes in degree or character
  • Temperature over 101.5 continuing after first week or suddenly increases.
  • Difficulty or inability to urinate.
  • Hives
  • Shortness of breath not normal for you.
  • If you are unable to drink enough fluids to keep from getting dehydrated due to nausea or vomiting.

 

 

POST PROCEDURE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. PROCEED TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL 911 FOR THE FOLLOWING:

 

  • Bleeding; if this should begin after you return home, you should lie down. Apply pressure to  the site where the catheter was and have someone call your doctor right away.
  • If you are unable to get a hold of your doctor quickly or you cannot stop the bleeding with direct pressure, call 911.

 

 

DATE AND TIME TO SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN:

 

  • Keep your follow up appointment with your doctor. You should have an appointment scheduled 2 weeks post procedure.
  • You may be scheduled for follow up procedures or scans.

 

You are a very important part of your recovery. Please ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have regarding your discharge instructions.

 

YTTRIUM-90 (Y-90) EMBOLIZATION PRE-AND POST PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

You are receiving this information on embolization with Yttrium-90 radiation treatment as part of your discharge instructions.

 

By the time you get to Yttrium-90 radioactive bead placement procedure you have had numerous imaging tests including a pre angiogram with embolization usually the week before Yttrium-90 radioactive bead placement procedure in order to plan the route through the vascular system for the radioactive bead placement and exact calculation of the dosage of radioactive beads. Today you will be having your Yttrium-90 embolization procedure.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE

 

Yttrium-90 embolization is a way of delivering cancer treatment directly to a tumor. The liver is the most common part of the body for Yttrium-90 embolization to be used, although it can be done in other areas.

 

Under x-ray guidance, a small catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin. The catheter’s tip is threaded into the artery in the liver that supplies blood flow to the tumor. The Yttrium-90 radioactive beads are injected through the catheter into the hepatic artery (liver blood supply). The size of the Yttrium-90 radioactive beads (spheres) allows them to flow thru the arteries but they are too small to pass through the small blood vessels within tumor, where they become permanently lodged in the tumor bed. The Yttrium-90 beads (spheres) deliver beta radiation over a relatively short distance. 97% of dosage is delivered in the first 2 weeks following treatment.

 

 

BENEFITS:

 

Clinical data shows that when used in combination with chemotherapy, SIR-Spheres (radioactive beads) may shrink patients’ liver tumors more than chemotherapy alone.

 

They may improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.

 

For a small amount of patients, the treatment can cause sufficient shrinkage of the liver tumor to permit its removal by surgery at a later date.

 

In tumors who are no longer responding to chemotherapy, the treatment have also been used successfully to shrink these tumors and extend patients’ survival.

 

 

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS/RISKS:

 

  • Embolization or blocking of the wrong site resulting in loss of blood supply to normal tissue.
  • Infection at IV or groin sites.
  • Allergic reaction to contrast (dye)
  • In rare instances and even in experienced hands, a small number of Yttrium-90 radioactive beads (spheres) may inadvertently reach other organs in the body, such as the gall bladder, stomach, intestine or pancreas. If the Yttrium-90 radioactive beads reach these organs, they may cause inflammation of the gall bladder (cholecystitis), stomach (gastritis), or intestine (duodenitis). These complications are rare, but if one of these occurs they normally require additional treatment. Your treatment team will have received special training to minimize these risks and to prevent them from happening.

 

 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

  • You will need to sign consent.
  • You will be on a heart monitor, Blood pressure monitor and your oxygen level will be  monitored with a probe on your finger.
  • The doctor and technologist will be dressed in sterile clothing.
  • During the test you will be given some medicine to help you relax. Discuss any sedation  concerns with the doctor before the test begins.
  • You will need to lie very still during the test.
  • The area in your arm or leg that will be used to insert the catheter will be washed and  clipped.
  • You will get a numbing medicine put in the groin area so you don’t feel the catheter going into the artery.
  • When the dye is given you may feel a warm, flushed feeling.
  • The person performing the test will watch your flow of blood on a TV monitor.
  • Pictures of your arteries will be taken during the procedure.
  • Ask your doctor, nurse or technologist any questions you might have or tell them if you are uncomfortable in any way (you’re cold, need to urinate, having pain etc.)
  • The catheter will be removed when the procedure is done. It will be very important to keep pressure on the spot where the catheter was inserted. The technologist will apply the pressure as needed. A closure device to reduce the risk of bleeding will be used if applicable.
  • The test usually takes 1-3 hours.
  • You will have an IV in your arm or hand during and after the procedure until discharge.
  • Immediately post procedure the radiology nurse will transport you on the cart to nuclear  medicine where you will have a scan to verify correct location of radiation beads. The radiology nurse shall stay with you and monitor you until exam is completed. (approx. 45 minutes) then she will transport you to the Same Day Medical or short stay area to recover. 

 

*If you have anesthesia, you may be transported to Recovery first and then the radiology nurse will come to take you to nuclear medicine for the post procedure scan.

 

 

ROUTINE POST PROCEDURAL DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

 

 

DIET

 

  • Drink lots of fluids over the next 24 hours (unless contraindicated) to flush the dye out of your  system. Continue to drink 8 to10 glasses daily of (non-caffeinated beverages over the next 2-3 weeks) .
  • Since you have had sedation, and nausea is a common side effect of this procedure, start  your diet off slowly with clear liquids and light foods, then progress as tolerated.

 

 

ACTIVITY

 

  • Do not drive while taking narcotic pain medications (example;Percocet, vicodin, oxycodone etc)
  • Shower as needed. Avoid swimming for 2 weeks.
  • Do not over exert yourself. If you become tired, rest.
  • Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for 2-3 weeks after the procedure.
  • Avoid long drives or airplanes for at least 2 weeks after the procedure.
  • The sedation you received for your procedure is still in your system. Therefore, we would like you to take it easy the rest of the day and evening. (Do not drive and avoid drinking alcohol). You will probably be requested to remain in bed for 2 to 4 hours after the procedure.
  • Check with your nurse before attempting to get up.

 

 

WOUND/INCISIONAL CARE

 

  • Check the area where the catheter was inserted (in your leg or arm) before you leave the hospital so you know what it looks and feels like.
  • Check the site in your leg (arm) where the catheter was inserted every morning and evening, looking for changes. You may remove the dressing/bandaid the next day. Keep the site clean using soap and water.

 

 

PAIN MANAGEMENT

 

  • You may use over the counter medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain unless otherwise contraindicated. Discuss any other over the counter use of Aspirin and Ibuprophen products with your doctor before using them.
  • Most patients feel some side effects after Yttrium-90 embolization. You may experience pain, nausea, and/or fever (less than 101 degrees). Abdominal discomfort (Right upper side) and nausea are the most common symptoms post procedure. The degree of pain will vary from patient to patient. Pain and nausea medicine is available to you per doctor’s orders. You will receive a prescription for these medications to take home.

 

 

MEDICATION CHANGES

 

  • Take all your medications as ordered by your doctor, unless otherwise instructed. Patients on metformin should not take it for the next 48 hours and should call the physician who manages their diabetes before restarting this medication.
  • Take your prescribed antacid medication daily for the next 4 weeks.
  • No chemotherapy treatments for 2 weeks post procedure unless instructed differently by your physician.

 

 

POST PROCEDURAL SIGNS/SYMPTOMS TO BE EXPECTED

 

  • There is a minimal risk to others due to the Yttrium-90 radioactive beads in the first 2 weeks which diminishes as the days go by. (eg. holding children/pets on your lap or carrying them around should be avoided for the 2 weeks) It is best to avoid close proximity to pregnant women and children for 2 weeks. 3 feet distance should be more than sufficient space. Either sleep separately from your spouse/others/pets or keep a distance (12 inches sufficient distance) in the bed from each other avoiding prolonged close physical contact. Precautions are about time and distance, so a minimal time exposure such as walking past you would hold a very unlikelihood of risk for exposure to anyone.
  • Avoid pregnancy within 2 months post treatment.
  • •Do not breast feed for 2 months post treatment. Discard expressed breast milk for those 2  weeks.
  • Some patients are admitted for at least 23 hours post procedure and are discharged after the  pain and nausea have subsided.
  • Fever (less than 101 degrees) are normal for up to 2 weeks after the procedure. Chills and  night sweats may also occur.
  • Fatigue and loss of appetite are common for 2 weeks and may last longer. It is essential to  stay well hydrated (drink plenty of non-caffeinated beverages) and eat small frequent meals to regain your strength and appetite. Dehydration is to be avoided. Contact your physician if you are unable to comply with drinking fluids.

 

 

POST PROCEDURAL SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION OF YOUR PHYSICIAN

 

  • Swelling, redness or pus drainage at the puncture site.
  • If your pain suddenly changes in degree or character
  • Temperature over 101.5 continuing after first week or suddenly increases.
  • Difficulty or inability to urinate.
  • Hives
  • Shortness of breath not normal for you.
  • If you are unable to drink enough fluids to keep from getting dehydrated due to nausea or vomiting.

 

 

POST PROCEDURE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. PROCEED TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL 911 FOR THE FOLLOWING:

 

  • Bleeding; if this should begin after you return home, you should lie down. Apply pressure to  the site where the catheter was and have someone call your doctor right away.
  • If you are unable to get a hold of your doctor quickly or you cannot stop the bleeding with direct pressure, call 911.

 

 

DATE AND TIME TO SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN:

 

  • Keep your follow up appointment with your doctor. You should have an appointment scheduled 2 weeks post procedure.
  • You may be scheduled for follow up procedures or scans.

 

You are a very important part of your recovery. Please ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have regarding your discharge instructions.

 

YTTRIUM-90 (Y-90) EMBOLIZATION PRE-AND POST PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

You are receiving this information on embolization with Yttrium-90 radiation treatment as part of your discharge instructions.

 

By the time you get to Yttrium-90 radioactive bead placement procedure you have had numerous imaging tests including a pre angiogram with embolization usually the week before Yttrium-90 radioactive bead placement procedure in order to plan the route through the vascular system for the radioactive bead placement and exact calculation of the dosage of radioactive beads. Today you will be having your Yttrium-90 embolization procedure.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE

 

Yttrium-90 embolization is a way of delivering cancer treatment directly to a tumor. The liver is the most common part of the body for Yttrium-90 embolization to be used, although it can be done in other areas.

 

Under x-ray guidance, a small catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin. The catheter’s tip is threaded into the artery in the liver that supplies blood flow to the tumor. The Yttrium-90 radioactive beads are injected through the catheter into the hepatic artery (liver blood supply). The size of the Yttrium-90 radioactive beads (spheres) allows them to flow thru the arteries but they are too small to pass through the small blood vessels within tumor, where they become permanently lodged in the tumor bed. The Yttrium-90 beads (spheres) deliver beta radiation over a relatively short distance. 97% of dosage is delivered in the first 2 weeks following treatment.

 

 

BENEFITS:

 

Clinical data shows that when used in combination with chemotherapy, SIR-Spheres (radioactive beads) may shrink patients’ liver tumors more than chemotherapy alone.

 

They may improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.

 

For a small amount of patients, the treatment can cause sufficient shrinkage of the liver tumor to permit its removal by surgery at a later date.

 

In tumors who are no longer responding to chemotherapy, the treatment have also been used successfully to shrink these tumors and extend patients’ survival.

 

 

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS/RISKS:

 

  • Embolization or blocking of the wrong site resulting in loss of blood supply to normal tissue.
  • Infection at IV or groin sites.
  • Allergic reaction to contrast (dye)
  • In rare instances and even in experienced hands, a small number of Yttrium-90 radioactive beads (spheres) may inadvertently reach other organs in the body, such as the gall bladder, stomach, intestine or pancreas. If the Yttrium-90 radioactive beads reach these organs, they may cause inflammation of the gall bladder (cholecystitis), stomach (gastritis), or intestine (duodenitis). These complications are rare, but if one of these occurs they normally require additional treatment. Your treatment team will have received special training to minimize these risks and to prevent them from happening.

 

 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

  • You will need to sign consent.
  • You will be on a heart monitor, Blood pressure monitor and your oxygen level will be  monitored with a probe on your finger.
  • The doctor and technologist will be dressed in sterile clothing.
  • During the test you will be given some medicine to help you relax. Discuss any sedation  concerns with the doctor before the test begins.
  • You will need to lie very still during the test.
  • The area in your arm or leg that will be used to insert the catheter will be washed and  clipped.
  • You will get a numbing medicine put in the groin area so you don’t feel the catheter going into the artery.
  • When the dye is given you may feel a warm, flushed feeling.
  • The person performing the test will watch your flow of blood on a TV monitor.
  • Pictures of your arteries will be taken during the procedure.
  • Ask your doctor, nurse or technologist any questions you might have or tell them if you are uncomfortable in any way (you’re cold, need to urinate, having pain etc.)
  • The catheter will be removed when the procedure is done. It will be very important to keep pressure on the spot where the catheter was inserted. The technologist will apply the pressure as needed. A closure device to reduce the risk of bleeding will be used if applicable.
  • The test usually takes 1-3 hours.
  • You will have an IV in your arm or hand during and after the procedure until discharge.
  • Immediately post procedure the radiology nurse will transport you on the cart to nuclear  medicine where you will have a scan to verify correct location of radiation beads. The radiology nurse shall stay with you and monitor you until exam is completed. (approx. 45 minutes) then she will transport you to the Same Day Medical or short stay area to recover. 

 

*If you have anesthesia, you may be transported to Recovery first and then the radiology nurse will come to take you to nuclear medicine for the post procedure scan.

 

 

ROUTINE POST PROCEDURAL DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

 

 

DIET

 

  • Drink lots of fluids over the next 24 hours (unless contraindicated) to flush the dye out of your  system. Continue to drink 8 to10 glasses daily of (non-caffeinated beverages over the next 2-3 weeks) .
  • Since you have had sedation, and nausea is a common side effect of this procedure, start  your diet off slowly with clear liquids and light foods, then progress as tolerated.

 

 

ACTIVITY

 

  • Do not drive while taking narcotic pain medications (example;Percocet, vicodin, oxycodone etc)
  • Shower as needed. Avoid swimming for 2 weeks.
  • Do not over exert yourself. If you become tired, rest.
  • Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for 2-3 weeks after the procedure.
  • Avoid long drives or airplanes for at least 2 weeks after the procedure.
  • The sedation you received for your procedure is still in your system. Therefore, we would like you to take it easy the rest of the day and evening. (Do not drive and avoid drinking alcohol). You will probably be requested to remain in bed for 2 to 4 hours after the procedure.
  • Check with your nurse before attempting to get up.

 

 

WOUND/INCISIONAL CARE

 

  • Check the area where the catheter was inserted (in your leg or arm) before you leave the hospital so you know what it looks and feels like.
  • Check the site in your leg (arm) where the catheter was inserted every morning and evening, looking for changes. You may remove the dressing/bandaid the next day. Keep the site clean using soap and water.

 

 

PAIN MANAGEMENT

 

  • You may use over the counter medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain unless otherwise contraindicated. Discuss any other over the counter use of Aspirin and Ibuprophen products with your doctor before using them.
  • Most patients feel some side effects after Yttrium-90 embolization. You may experience pain, nausea, and/or fever (less than 101 degrees). Abdominal discomfort (Right upper side) and nausea are the most common symptoms post procedure. The degree of pain will vary from patient to patient. Pain and nausea medicine is available to you per doctor’s orders. You will receive a prescription for these medications to take home.

 

 

MEDICATION CHANGES

 

  • Take all your medications as ordered by your doctor, unless otherwise instructed. Patients on metformin should not take it for the next 48 hours and should call the physician who manages their diabetes before restarting this medication.
  • Take your prescribed antacid medication daily for the next 4 weeks.
  • No chemotherapy treatments for 2 weeks post procedure unless instructed differently by your physician.

 

 

POST PROCEDURAL SIGNS/SYMPTOMS TO BE EXPECTED

 

  • There is a minimal risk to others due to the Yttrium-90 radioactive beads in the first 2 weeks which diminishes as the days go by. (eg. holding children/pets on your lap or carrying them around should be avoided for the 2 weeks) It is best to avoid close proximity to pregnant women and children for 2 weeks. 3 feet distance should be more than sufficient space. Either sleep separately from your spouse/others/pets or keep a distance (12 inches sufficient distance) in the bed from each other avoiding prolonged close physical contact. Precautions are about time and distance, so a minimal time exposure such as walking past you would hold a very unlikelihood of risk for exposure to anyone.
  • Avoid pregnancy within 2 months post treatment.
  • •Do not breast feed for 2 months post treatment. Discard expressed breast milk for those 2  weeks.
  • Some patients are admitted for at least 23 hours post procedure and are discharged after the  pain and nausea have subsided.
  • Fever (less than 101 degrees) are normal for up to 2 weeks after the procedure. Chills and  night sweats may also occur.
  • Fatigue and loss of appetite are common for 2 weeks and may last longer. It is essential to  stay well hydrated (drink plenty of non-caffeinated beverages) and eat small frequent meals to regain your strength and appetite. Dehydration is to be avoided. Contact your physician if you are unable to comply with drinking fluids.

 

 

POST PROCEDURAL SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION OF YOUR PHYSICIAN

 

  • Swelling, redness or pus drainage at the puncture site.
  • If your pain suddenly changes in degree or character
  • Temperature over 101.5 continuing after first week or suddenly increases.
  • Difficulty or inability to urinate.
  • Hives
  • Shortness of breath not normal for you.
  • If you are unable to drink enough fluids to keep from getting dehydrated due to nausea or vomiting.

 

 

POST PROCEDURE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. PROCEED TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL 911 FOR THE FOLLOWING:

 

  • Bleeding; if this should begin after you return home, you should lie down. Apply pressure to  the site where the catheter was and have someone call your doctor right away.
  • If you are unable to get a hold of your doctor quickly or you cannot stop the bleeding with direct pressure, call 911.

 

 

DATE AND TIME TO SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN:

 

  • Keep your follow up appointment with your doctor. You should have an appointment scheduled 2 weeks post procedure.
  • You may be scheduled for follow up procedures or scans.

 

You are a very important part of your recovery. Please ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have regarding your discharge instructions.

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