Discharge Instructions - Palladium DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING PERMANENT Palladium103 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 three months from today. You have received a permanent palladium103 seed implant in your prostate. Palladium103 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 1 minutes per day during the first month following the implant, less than 4 minutes per day during the second month following the implant, and less than 15 minutes per day during the third month following the implant. For pregnant women, keep a distance of more than 6 feet. At such a distance, there is no time limit. For your spouse, refrain from sex for two weeks following your implant. You may resume sexual activity after this period, providing you use a condom for two weeks. With regards to daily activities or sleeping in the same bed there are no special arrangements necessary. The implanted palladium103 seeds are sealed in titanium; 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.