Officially Radioactive!

I'm officially a radioactive hazard! In fact the whole thing was surprisingly easy and anticlimactic! After much waiting, we were taken in and the doctor walked us through all the ristrictions and warnings, I signed a whole lot of papers, was taken in the back, swallowed a few pills and sent on my way.

It's still a bit crazy to me to think that the main cause for this kind of cancer is also the cure! And while it has a lot of possible down sides to radioactive treatment, the pros outweigh the cons, and it's clearly the best option in my case. There is only a 10-30% chance of this treatment not working, and if it doesn't they'd most likely try it again with a bigger dose! The possible effects include a 1% increased chance of developing another cancer, 1% increased chance of a bone marrow depression (which would only need a blood transfusion, the bone marrow itself would recover on its own), a 20% chance of decreased taste sensations that can last up to a year, 20% chance of injury to the salivary glands resulting in dry, sore mouth (they've suggested i suck on sour lemon drops every half hour to stimulate saliva production), a 30% chance of nausea and vomiting in the next few days, and i can't have a baby any time soon. But the positives include KILLING CANCER!!!!! And by tomorrow i can get back onto my meds and normal diet and should be feeling more like myself again in a few weeks! Finally, on the 10th I'll go back for a full body scan, and then I'm done for 6 months when I have my next body scan! WAHOOO!!!

So far i don't feel too different... it almost seemed too easy... not that i'm complaining. Now i'm home, and I can't be within 3 feet of people, and not for too long, but I only have to be isolated completely for 2 days. I had to ride alone in the very back of the car on the ride home. And it was very sad for the dogs when i couldn't touch or greet them when i got home, and I've had to shoo the cats away several times. It's a bit harder than i expected to make sure i dont walk within 3 feet of my parents when just walking around and such too. I have to have use own bathroom too, and Malcolm wont be allowed to sleep at the foot of my bed for a few nights. But thank goodness i can still use my computer and guitar and what not! i think i would have gone crazy locked away without anything to do. Especially since I basically survive off of Skype! Technology is amazing at keeping me connected with everyone in Australia! Especially my wonderful Partner! (I love you Daniel! Couldn't have gotten through this without you!) And it's makes living so far from my parents so much more bearable too! less than 2 weeks and i'll be on a plane back to AUS!!! Can't wait to get my life back! wahoooooo!!!!!!