Need info and feedback from people who have had RAI~?

I am scheduled to have radioactive iodine for Grave's disease and have heard and read many disheartening things. I wonder if it is worth it. I have two small children at home and fear contamination for them. I also fear the 'permanent' end to my thyroid, and the lifelong yo-yo of hypothyrodism. I also have TED and am afraid that taking the RAI will worsen my eye status. I am 35, just diagnosed in Feb. 2007 and only been on Tapazole for a few weeks. HELP.