Dar -

My heart goes out to you. When one thing happens after another it can feel so very overwhelming. As difficult as it may seem, try to take stock of what you are able to do while you recover. Yes, riding the trainer isn't like the outdoors, but it will continue to keep you in shape and perhaps you could put songs on your Ipod/cd player that remind you of cycling outdoors - perhaps a way to keep you motivated.

With regards to your thyroid, I had RAI-U back in '99 for Grave's Disease. I weighed all my options before going through with it. I now take Synthroid & Cytomel which I will take for the rest of my life. My endo advised me that without RAI-U I would need to be constantly monitored via bloodwork and have my meds regulated as there can be so many fluctuations in TSH, T3 & T4, even on meds with a hyperactive thyroid. After the RAI-U, it took a some time before my levels regulated, but med adjustments were made and now, I go for bloodwork once a year to make sure everything is in check. I've since had a few adjustments as my body chemistry changes, but other than that, all is well. Oh, and after the RAI-U, I was "radioactive" for three days - each time I used the bathroom at work, I had to wipe the toilet seat, literally wipe down anything I touched - I even used plastic utensils and plates at home!!! I didn't glow though!!! Darn it