Update: My Rad Simulation is scheduled for this Thursday - what to expect?

ShirleyCurls said:

The tatoos did not hurt ,
The tatoos did not hurt , mine are little purple dots, they are permanent. They made a mold of your upper body, arm up. They use this later to position you. I was not covered any where else, I think the beam is pretty accurate. I always wore jean shorts with belt loops, they used these to shift me on the table, like the handles on your mattress!

There were no scans to see inside, just a mock machine where they take measurements, they then program these into the computer. It took about a week after my mock simulation before treatments started.

Hey ya...
Simulation consists of a laser scanner (similar but not the same one in the radiation room) will take photos of your upper torso area. I believe they call these films. That same day the Radiation oncologist will look at these scans and tell the rad technician how he wants the laser aligned. This is when she will mark your dots for your permanent tattoos, they aren't any bigger then a freckle and you only feel a small pin prick. The reason for the simulation is so they can specifically set the laser up to your body coordinates and the doc can see exactly where your internal organs lay behind your chest wall. It helps determine the laser angle and the depth of the radiation beam.

For me they too created an upper torso mold, so when you lie on the rad bed your upper body and arms will fit right into your mold. This gets them in the ball park quicker. It didn't matter to them what I wore as I was laying on a white sheet and they would tug on the sheet which ever direction they needed my body to go. During treatment you just lie there perfectly still and they will do all your body movements. It's really not that scary once you get to see what it's all about. I bet you will sail through your first couple of weeks before you can tell from your skin that they are actually doing something.

Keep us posted on how your doing, I just finished rads a couple of weeks ago so I am still celebrating.. The time will go fast and be prepared to meet some wonderful new friends in that waiting room.

As far as a thyroid protector, there are metal plates they put on the laser that blocks out all areas that the doctor doesn't want treated.

Good Luck
Lorrie

butterflylvr said:

Hey ya...
Simulation consists of a laser scanner (similar but not the same one in the radiation room) will take photos of your upper torso area. I believe they call these films. That same day the Radiation oncologist will look at these scans and tell the rad technician how he wants the laser aligned. This is when she will mark your dots for your permanent tattoos, they aren't any bigger then a freckle and you only feel a small pin prick. The reason for the simulation is so they can specifically set the laser up to your body coordinates and the doc can see exactly where your internal organs lay behind your chest wall. It helps determine the laser angle and the depth of the radiation beam.

For me they too created an upper torso mold, so when you lie on the rad bed your upper body and arms will fit right into your mold. This gets them in the ball park quicker. It didn't matter to them what I wore as I was laying on a white sheet and they would tug on the sheet which ever direction they needed my body to go. During treatment you just lie there perfectly still and they will do all your body movements. It's really not that scary once you get to see what it's all about. I bet you will sail through your first couple of weeks before you can tell from your skin that they are actually doing something.

Keep us posted on how your doing, I just finished rads a couple of weeks ago so I am still celebrating.. The time will go fast and be prepared to meet some wonderful new friends in that waiting room.

As far as a thyroid protector, there are metal plates they put on the laser that blocks out all areas that the doctor doesn't want treated.

Good Luck
Lorrie

They did a CT scan on me
They did a CT scan on me first before I got tattooed or anything to help with the set up of the rad machine. Then when I had my first mapping, they did the tattoos, which only felt like a tiny pin prick. It really doesn't hurt. My mapping probably took close to an hour as they want to be sure you are perfectly aligned with the laser. They can show you on their computer what it all looks like. Just ask to see it. And, the tattoos are permanent, but, they do fade a lot. I know a few that had them lasered off also.

I never had a mold. I would just undress from the waist up, put a robe on and go into that freezing room. So, wear socks and long pants. They can also cover you with a blanket, they did me.

When you are getting zapped, the techs can hear you, so, if you need anything, don't be shy to talk. My hubby was just outside the huge steel door always waiting for me and watching me on the computer.

We can give you lots of other tips, if you want them.

You will be fine!

Sue

CT Scan
Mine is scheduled for next month. I was told it will be a CT scan. Originally my doctor said with contrast dye, but I reminded him I am allergic so he said, OK, without. I didn't ask about tattoos, although I suppose I should have. Sounds like there are a lot of different ways to do the simulation.

LoveBabyJesus said:

Thanks Sue. How long is
Thanks Sue. How long is radiation for?

My experience
The whole thing took abot 15 minutes. I would go to a curtained stall, take off my shirt put on a gown and wait my turn.

They also scheduled me for the same time every day.

ellen

mollieb said:

CT Scan
Mine is scheduled for next month. I was told it will be a CT scan. Originally my doctor said with contrast dye, but I reminded him I am allergic so he said, OK, without. I didn't ask about tattoos, although I suppose I should have. Sounds like there are a lot of different ways to do the simulation.

Wow it took some searching
Wow it took some searching but I found a thread from a few months back. Thought I would bump it forward for you in case you find anything new on it now that you are finally ready for your rads. Good Luck by the way, it sure sounds interesting...

Hugs,
Lorrie

LoveBabyJesus said:

Thank you Lorrie! Very
Thank you Lorrie! Very thoughtful of you.

Wishing you good luck
Wishing you good luck tomorrow with your rads simulation! You will do just fine!


♠♣ Love, Susie ♠♣

susie09 said:

Wishing you good luck
Wishing you good luck tomorrow with your rads simulation! You will do just fine!


♠♣ Love, Susie ♠♣

How did your simulation go
How did your simulation go today for you?


Sue

LoveBabyJesus said:

Thank you ALL for your
Thank you ALL for your responses and care.

I went in, put on the robe and waited. It was very fast! They asked me to lay down, face down, and position myself in a "freestyle" position (with my right arm forward, and the left one resting against my body). There was a hole where my right breast was hanging from - weird. I had 7 people trying to position my body before my Rad Dr. made sure it was the right position. While I had my boob hanging, they drew things on it, took pictures with a camera, asked me to move a few times, drew things on a board where my left boob was resting, etc....Then they moved my body through this machine that took pictures, I guess? In and out, a few times. At the end, they gave me the tattoos and took some more pictures. The Dr. wants me to start my rad Aug. 1.

I felt OK - just felt weird with the position, and it hurt my rib a little. But it wasn't bad at all!

Thank you ALL for being here for me, as always.

Love you.

Whew! You got that done.
Whew! You got that done. Now, good luck with rads!

LoveBabyJesus said:

Thank you ALL for your
Thank you ALL for your responses and care.

I went in, put on the robe and waited. It was very fast! They asked me to lay down, face down, and position myself in a "freestyle" position (with my right arm forward, and the left one resting against my body). There was a hole where my right breast was hanging from - weird. I had 7 people trying to position my body before my Rad Dr. made sure it was the right position. While I had my boob hanging, they drew things on it, took pictures with a camera, asked me to move a few times, drew things on a board where my left boob was resting, etc....Then they moved my body through this machine that took pictures, I guess? In and out, a few times. At the end, they gave me the tattoos and took some more pictures. The Dr. wants me to start my rad Aug. 1.

I felt OK - just felt weird with the position, and it hurt my rib a little. But it wasn't bad at all!

Thank you ALL for being here for me, as always.

Love you.

Glad it went well!
Did they put on sticky things? I was told not to soap/wash them too much since they will come off and need to be reapplied.

ellen