Hi, Tracy,
The important thing to remember is that the radiation technicians have seen it all before. So when I had an accident on the scanning table, they took it in stride. It was an aggravation, but not an embarrassment.
I started the day with Campbell's chicken soup for my cold. That added fluid. I think I peed later, knowing that I would be prepping for the 9:15 a.m. appointment. At 7:50 I began in earnest, with two cups of lemonade followed by a cup of hot Jello. At 8:30 it was time to hit the road and I was sucking on my Platypus all the way to Group Health. Today I think I was unnecessarily earnest. I continued to suck right to the point where they called me in, and then I realized that, for the second time, I was going to practice voiding without peeing. And I did that, but I sure wanted to pee. Gotta have a full bladder for the procedure, though.
Halfway through the radiation, during a pause of the machine, I raised the alarm that I was starting to pee involuntarily. The technician came out, assessed the situation, and gave me permission. And then the process was completed, as the machine continued its rotation and radiation while I gradually soaked my lap.
As this was going on, I realized that I wasn't the first to have this problem. The machine can take it, and the staff understand. They brought out towels, provided a large plastic bag for my undies, and walked me to the john, where I changed clothes and peed again, this time proudly, and with more volume. I was dry and back on the street, 25 minutes after the treatment began. It's now 10:15 a.m. and I've peed three times since I got back to the condo.
I guess I need to learn how to curb my enthusiasm--and pack extra undies in the future. I've got seven weeks to get it right.
Love,
Dad
P.S. Late night discovery when I removed my Platypus from my backpack. It holds 1.8 liters of fluid, and it was almost entirely drained. I had no idea how much water I chugged enroute to Group Health -- at least a quart. No wonder!
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