Discharge Instructions - Iodine DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING PERMANENT IODINE125 SEED IMPLANT OF THE PROSTATE GLAND This document contains a brief description of the radiation nature of the prostate seed implant and related radiation safety practices. Please keep a copy of this document in your wallet at all times and present it to any doctor you will visit within one year from today. You have received a permanent Iodine125 seed implant in your prostate. Iodine125 seeds emit only low energy x-rays. Very little radiation penetrates outside of the prostate gland. General radiation safety precautions are not required EXCEPT in the case of children, pregnant women and your spouse. For children, limit the amount of time they can sit on your lap. This should be less than 4 minutes per day during the first four months following the implant, less than 15 minutes per day during the fifth through the eight months following the implant, and less than 60 minutes per day during the ninth through twelfth months following the implant. For pregnant women, keep a distance of more than 3 feet. At this distance, there is no time limit to be around them. For your spouse, refrain from sex for two weeks following your implant. You may then resume normal sexual activity after this time period, providing you use a condom for two weeks. You may go about your daily activities, sleep in the same bed, etc. with no special arrangements necessary. The implanted Iodine125 seeds are sealed in a titanium casing; there are no contamination problems. Your breath, sweat and body fluids do not contain any radioactivity and will not contaminate anybody. Your linens, clothing, dishes and toilet facilities may be cleaned and used by others without any special precautions.