Quarantine chamber - Part I

Well, I did not keep my promise to write a short novel this weekend, simply because I did not feel too hot at all! So in the next couple of days I will try to flash back on it.

Overall, I have to say it was harder coming out than going in. The horn of plenty is difficult to deal with after such sobriety.

I arrived there on Thursday morning and went straight to the lab to have my blood tested. They were looking at my general health, I suspect, and also at my calcium levels. From there we went to the Medical Center across the road where I was to be detained for the next couple of days. The nuclear specialist, Dr. Tim checked my heart, lungs, and blood pressure. Then he told me what to expect. It was possible that I could become nauseous and that the areas that are effected by the cancer could hurt a little more than before. I asked him if the sensation would resemble what I felt after the radiation therapy and he confirmed. I had dealt with that before so I knew I'd manage this time round. When the check-up was done, my mother and Marc escorted me to the 3rd floor where I was to be incarcerated for the next couple of days. It is clear that the nurses are specially trained as they were especially concerned about my feelings. Marc and my mother were running out of time as Marc had another client to transport at 12.00. Marc wore his black suit, so I asked him if he had intended to attend my cremation. It turned out that he had an important client that day. So much for dressing up especially for me.

I was shown to my room and to my horror, there stood a hospital bed, which was not what the doctor had ordered. After quickly informing I found out that they wanted to change the room while I was there to make sure I felt comfortable. Marc and my mother left, both of them resembled sick puppies (as in hush puppies, with droopy ears and reddish eyes). I was left to fend for myself. My first target was getting the bed in order, my second target was being allowed to keep my Ipod. Regulations allow you to bring things into quarantine, but everything must be left behind.

A bed was made for me by placing 3 matresses on top of each other which proved to be an excellent solution.

At 14.05 in came the doctor and an intern. They asked me if I was ready. Somehow it felt like death row. I felt impelled to ask the doctor where his mask was so I could not recognize him, so I did. He was not amused but his young blond intern cracked up. I apologized for my morbid sense of humor.

The doctor walked out and went to fetch the tablet which was incapsuled in a round lead container. He retrieved the tiny white capsule with a tube and administered it to me. Before I had swallowed it both he and the intern had fled. I wasn't able to say good-bye and reallized my confinement had commenced.