not ready

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wndringmnd
wndringmnd Member Posts: 44
in Breast Cancer #1
I thought I was, but I'm not ready for radiation which starts Monday. There was a prelim. session with me yesterday with them doing the markings and measurings and things, what I wasn't mentally prepared for is being totally nude from the waiste up for 12 looong minutes while the machine does its thing and you are being stared at by technitions in another room. I know I shouldn't be embarrassed by this time of treatment by I found that I was/am. The tech's were professional etc. but still, I had surgery already so I had to show what was left of my breasts to nurses and doctors then, but for some reason this just feels different. any help out there?
Marilyn

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  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #2
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    My experience..
    Only my right breast was exposed....my left side totally covered...also, my sessions lasted less than 5 minutes...please tell the techs that you are uncomfortable this way...speak up for yourself...remember, you're " the customer"...it's your body and they should be going out of their way to make you comfortable....but please speak up....You already have enough stress without this....

    Don't forget to take your cream, that you should have been given, with you and start using it from the first treatmnt...

    Wishing you the best...let us know how it goes...
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #3
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    Only my right side was
    Only my right side was exposed for rads. The techs and my rads oncologist were always very considerate in making sure that my other side was covered. It really didn't matter to me, as, I am not modest at all, especially after going thru bc. But, if you are, be sure and let them know. I know they will understand.

    I want to wish you good luck with rads, and, please let them know how you feel. You aren't alone, you have us, your pink sisters.


    Hugs, Jan
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #4
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    Once you get
    started I think you will get used to it. When I started on this journey I was like you. I did not want anyone seeing me nude. By the time I got to rads it didn't matter anymore since so many drs., nurses & techs had "seen it all". The treatments are very short and only the area being done is exposed. You will be done before you know it. Use your creams a lot. Good Luck.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #5
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    I used to silently chant
    kill the cancer, kill the cancer, and then I started counting 1 mississippi, 2 mississippi, etc, so I knew where I was in the less than 5 minute treatment. It is embarrassing, but they see a million boobs, and mine are unremarkable, so I got over it quickly.

    Sue
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #6
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    Only the side that had mast.
    Only the side that had mast. (was getting rads) was exposed. Other side carefully covered with warmed towel at all times. Only took about 5 minutes for rads - 4 positions of the machine. By the time I got to rads my usual body temp was low 97.something occacionally 96. something so I was always cold and the warmed towel was nice - warmed blankets were also available if I was really cold.
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #7
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    I am so over being modest,
    I am so over being modest, right now I am getting radiated on my tailbone and bum. I lay on my stomach with my whole bfa mooning the techs in the control room! Takes about 10 minutes. Best part was when they took my picture and it was of my whole backside! Now the beautiful snapshot is on the front of my file! I guess it is so they recognize who they are radiating.
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #8
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    camul said:

    I am so over being modest,
    I am so over being modest, right now I am getting radiated on my tailbone and bum. I lay on my stomach with my whole bfa mooning the techs in the control room! Takes about 10 minutes. Best part was when they took my picture and it was of my whole backside! Now the beautiful snapshot is on the front of my file! I guess it is so they recognize who they are radiating.

    I didn't have radiation
    I didn't have radiation but if I would have needed it I would have been fine.I've had benign tumors since 20 and breast exams for over 40 years so it is easier for me.

    This seems all new to you and I understand.Let the techs know but it will be better as time goes on.You have a long road ahead of you with mammos every year and breast checks by your surgeon and oncologist. You will get used to it in time.

    I took my friend for radiation a few times.She said it was the easy part of it all.It didnt take but maybe 10 minutes.

    As others have said one side will be covered. That should help you feel a little more comfortable.

    Wishing you luck with your first radiation treatment.

    Lynn Smith
  • poplolly
    poplolly Member Posts: 346
    #9
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    WND--I actually cried when I
    WND--I actually cried when I went in for the markings for the first time. The actual radiation is very quick after all the markings are done. Of course, I never found it easy to expose myself; I just knew I had to.
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #10
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    I understand
    I felt the same way at first but once the markings were done they were pretty careful to only expose the side gettings rads. Most centers have some women techs around. Ask for one if it makes you feel better. Only twice did I have bboth men and that was a little uncomfortable but then as someone said, you show them to everybody so ......

    Tell them you're not comfortable and ask what can be done.
  • Survivor73
    Survivor73 Member Posts: 135
    #11
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    skipper54 said:

    I understand
    I felt the same way at first but once the markings were done they were pretty careful to only expose the side gettings rads. Most centers have some women techs around. Ask for one if it makes you feel better. Only twice did I have bboth men and that was a little uncomfortable but then as someone said, you show them to everybody so ......

    Tell them you're not comfortable and ask what can be done.

    Cover with a gown
    Hi There. I am currently doing rads...10 down, 11 more to go...

    when I go in, I have on two gowns - one they take off and cover the bed with for me to lie down on, the other is on my front. I slip my arm out (the side for the treatment) and they pull it back only to measure where the markings are etc...it is uncomfortable, but so far it has been mostly women doing it, so no big deal. Then when they have me in position, they cover me back up with the gown, so I'm not lying there exposed. I am assuming that the radiation goes right through the gown, no probs...

    Just a thought that you could ask to do the same. It's not as bad as lying there without covering when they can see you through the camera's etc.

    Take care, I think the emotional part was much worse starting than the physical...by far.

    Just remember to plan a nap every day...don't try to do too much.

    Best of luck...you can do this...
  • jendrey
    jendrey Member Posts: 377
    #12
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    skipper54 said:

    I understand
    I felt the same way at first but once the markings were done they were pretty careful to only expose the side gettings rads. Most centers have some women techs around. Ask for one if it makes you feel better. Only twice did I have bboth men and that was a little uncomfortable but then as someone said, you show them to everybody so ......

    Tell them you're not comfortable and ask what can be done.

    ...
    Marilyn, you have the advantage as they don't know just how uncomfortable you feel. By that I mean they don't have the power to make you feel uncomfortable only you have that power.

    The radiation techs where I went were the very upmost professional and I actually looked forward to seeing them every day. They always called me Ms. LastName and I never had to wait more than 3 minutes tops in the waiting room. I think the entire visit(s), after the initial markings, maybe lasted 10 minutes if that.

    I was always provided a towel to cover my remaining breast. I'd truly rather not expose my breasts to anyone whatsoever let alone a man, and/or worse two men. And what happens? Quite often it was not one, but two male techs. But you know what? I never once felt uncomfortable.

    I'm an only child. I didn't grow up sharing anything with anyone and especially was very private with dressing/showing my body. To this day I don't even like dressing rooms and almost never try on clothes in a store.

    If I can do it, then anyone can!

    Remember, they've seen lots of breasts and yours are just another to process and nothing more to them. After all they are professionals and will behave accordingly.
  • robang13
    robang13 Member Posts: 333
    #13
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    Marilyn,
    I felt like you do
    Marilyn,

    I felt like you do in the beginning. In fact, I had asked for a female tech at first. Well, of course I got the only male there! He was the sweetest thing! He was more embarrassed than I was. He made sure to turn his head when I would undress(take my arm out of the gown), and to try to not look directly at me when doing his thing, and to cover me up as soon as he was done. When I go now, I usually have a woman tech. I go in and fling that gown off on my right side since I can't slip out of it.She laughs with me every time because I get caught up in it trying to get on the table. Your shyness should get easier. I have been seen by every tech, P.A, and doctor in the place. I have flashed my boob at everyone! The other day while getting a cat scan I was laying on the table with my right breast exposed and a new Doctor came in to examine me. When he was done, he told the tech to cover me up! He was annoyed that I was not covered when he walked in. The tech said that he doesn't like it when the patient is exposed. So the doctors do have feelings too about this. I was so comfortable that I didn't mind laying there like that. Figured he would see it when he examined it anyways!

    I even walk around the house with my shirt unbuttoned at night because my breast is loaded with gooey creams and I don't want to ruin the shirt. My hubby told me that I was getting a little too comfy flashing my boob around!! Mind you, he was the only one in the house when I was doing this : )

    I find it is almost like when you have a baby in the hospital and every nurse and doctor come in and flip up the sheet to look down there. After awhile you aren't bothered by it any longer. This is the same thing. They see boob after boob so mine isn't any different.

    We have even nicknamed the machine "The Boob Machine"

    Good luck to you. I hope you become as comfortable as I am doing this!

    Angela
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #14
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    Survivor73 said:

    Cover with a gown
    Hi There. I am currently doing rads...10 down, 11 more to go...

    when I go in, I have on two gowns - one they take off and cover the bed with for me to lie down on, the other is on my front. I slip my arm out (the side for the treatment) and they pull it back only to measure where the markings are etc...it is uncomfortable, but so far it has been mostly women doing it, so no big deal. Then when they have me in position, they cover me back up with the gown, so I'm not lying there exposed. I am assuming that the radiation goes right through the gown, no probs...

    Just a thought that you could ask to do the same. It's not as bad as lying there without covering when they can see you through the camera's etc.

    Take care, I think the emotional part was much worse starting than the physical...by far.

    Just remember to plan a nap every day...don't try to do too much.

    Best of luck...you can do this...

    I was bare chested
    from the waist up during rads. I wondered why, but didn't think to ask. Just figured I needed to be. Techs were females, but when I went for my markings, they were male (and young!) and I have to say I did NOT feel comfortable at all, but I did it anyway. Gosh, the warm towels sound so nice.

    It is over quickly and we do what we have to do I guess. I had absolutely NO side effects from the rads. I'm very fair and sunburn easily, but did not get burned. A little red and tender, but no burns. I had absolutely no fatigue. The hard part for me was waiting with other women who were obviously very, very sick. Sort of brought everything into perspective as well as scaring the you know what out of me.

    You can do this!

    Suzanne
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #15
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    Marilyn
    My pcp, gyn, surgeon, and both oncologists are male. Each time I saw them they were looking at my naked chest. I had bilateral mastectomy so all I have is scars. My rad techs were so considerate and draped my left side while my right side got the radiation. I always had 1 male and 1 female tech and several times a student. They are all used to seeing everything and acted very professionally. I hope you feel less anxious about it as time passes. I had 28 rad sessions. Tomorrow I see my gyn for my annual. He will check my chest. Next month I see my surgeon and MO and they will both check my chest. All I want to hear is that all is well and no sign of cancer.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #16
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    so sorry
    MY techs and all staff where great..they kept me covered as long as possiable...I must say after having 2 kids I lost all concern of medical staff seeing any parts of me..HEHE lol

    but we all handle things differently...

    Denise
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #17
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    so sorry
    MY techs and all staff where great..they kept me covered as long as possiable...I must say after having 2 kids I lost all concern of medical staff seeing any parts of me..HEHE lol

    but we all handle things differently...

    Denise

    Sorry not too much insight
    Sorry not too much insight from me. I start my rads this week, my "dry run" is today. Last week when I went for my simulation and tats the young female technician was very courteous and made sure I was covered when she wasn't working on me. I know I'll do fine, I just keep thinking they've probably seen it all and at this point so have I. LOL...

    I do agree with the others though, you are the one in charge and if you're uncomfortable let them know and I am sure they will accommodate you as much as they are able to.

    Hugs,
    Lorrie

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