Rads question: Marks & stickers

TraciInLA

I'm currently having rads to both breasts, which I understand isn't really common, so I don't know if others are having this problem:

In addition to the 3 tiny tattoos that they use to line me up with the lasers in the wall and ceiling each time, I also have half a dozen nickel-sized x's drawn on me with a marker, which are covered up with clear stickers. And the #$%*& stickers keep falling off. When they do, the techs have to re-x-ray and calibrate, and they keep shaking their heads and making tsk-tsk sounds and telling me to be more careful.

I've always been Little Miss Model Patient, the patient that medical professionals love because I follow all their instructions and do everything I'm supposed to, but now I feel like I'm failing rads. I'm following every instruction the doctor, nurse, and techs have given me; I'm trying to keep the lotions away from the stickers, and am very careful in the shower and while drying off. But I'm frustrated, and I'm tired of the eye rolling and heavy sighs from the techs, like this is my fault.

Does anyone else have this "sticker problem"?

Traci

elizarose

I had somewhat of the same
I had somewhat of the same problem too. They finally decided to do my xrays on Monday because my stickers were not going to last over the weekend and at the end when i was really burnt, i deliberately took the stickers off because they were so painful. One nurse told me to touch up the marks with a sharpie if i needed to. One of my techs was so rude to me that I wouldn't allow her to work with me anymore. They do this everyday, all day so I think they become somewhat desensitized to it. One tech asked me if i scrubbed the area the sticker was on? Yeah, I'm burnt to a crisp and I scrub it... Explain the problem to them and ask if they have any suggestions to help. If you feel comfortable doing this, talk to the doctor or nurse about their attitude while treating you. You are the one with cancer, you are the patient, and they need to treat you with respect and compassion regardless of whether or not your stickers stay on!!

DianeBC

They only put the little x's
They only put the little x's and the stickers to cover them during the first couple of rad treatments because the tattoo's were so hard to see and they weren't used to me yet. But, it was only a couple of times and then they never used them again. Have you asked them why they are using them? And, if this will continue? And, if so, why did you even have the tattoos? Let us know.

And, I would say to never touch up your own x's with a magic marker. Those are exact and the tech's should be the only ones that redo them, even if they fade. You don't want to be off and have the rads going where they shouldn't, even a millionth off.

Diane

roseann4

DianeBC said:

They only put the little x's
They only put the little x's and the stickers to cover them during the first couple of rad treatments because the tattoo's were so hard to see and they weren't used to me yet. But, it was only a couple of times and then they never used them again. Have you asked them why they are using them? And, if this will continue? And, if so, why did you even have the tattoos? Let us know.

And, I would say to never touch up your own x's with a magic marker. Those are exact and the tech's should be the only ones that redo them, even if they fade. You don't want to be off and have the rads going where they shouldn't, even a millionth off.

Diane

I had no tatoos only stickers.
I can't believe your rads techs are making you feel guilty because your stickers come off. When mine came off, they were great about it because they were nice people who obviously loved their jobs. I would definately complain about that once your treatment is done. No sense getting them mad now but a well written letter could improve it for women in the future. There is NO EXCUSE for treating you like a naughty child. It is not our fault the stickers are not made to stay on through normal bathing. I don't think they would want to work on us if we didn't.

Wow. I'm really annoyed with your techs!

Roseann

dyaneb123

No. Sounds like you just
No. Sounds like you just have some jerks as techs. My rads clinic doesn't use tatoo's ..just markers and stickers and of course they both come off over time.My techs have never been anything but sweet about it and just remark and restick as necessary.
Sounds like they need an attitide adjustment!

Tux

I had trouble keeping the
I had trouble keeping the clear tape on, too, and I was really careful. After about 3 weeks, they gave me tatoos & then they could line me up without any trouble.

MyTurnNow

I have a funny story about the "clear" stickers.
I also have/had the clear stickers but they are actually over the tatoo. I, like you, have been very careful with the stickers to make sure they stay in place. One day last week I got out of the shower in the morning and noticed that the 2 stickers on my sides were gone. I immediately checked the shower...not there....then, the pajama top I had on...not there....then, the floor where I changed my clothes...not there, either. I then inspected the area on my skin that they covered and saw this itty bitty blue mark. I figured that was the "tatoo" and I hoped they could continue the rads without having to redo the stickers. When I arrived for my treatment that morning, I was apprehensive about what would have to happen to continue rads. MaryAnn (rads tech) was in the room and after I was lying down on the table, I sheepishly told her that the stickers were gone. She matter-of-factly replied, oh yes, I know, I removed them yesterday because they were about to come off and I thought they were probably not real comfortable. Do you know how to spell relief? I was very happy and she also said they would now line me up with the itty bitty tatoo's. So, Traci, I don't understand why they have to continue to put them back on you?????

MAJW

YIKES
I can't stand the fact they are treating you this way....I would speak to your radiation oncologist about their treatment.......I never had stickers, just the tattos and as time went on they drew with a sharpie on me.....they would fade and they would just redo them.....

IT is uncalled for the way they are treating you......Myself, I would tell them in a heart beat that this is your LIFE and you're doing the best you can, under the circumstances! Perhaps THEY should be doing a better job!

Peace be with you

DianeBC

MAJW said:

YIKES
I can't stand the fact they are treating you this way....I would speak to your radiation oncologist about their treatment.......I never had stickers, just the tattos and as time went on they drew with a sharpie on me.....they would fade and they would just redo them.....

IT is uncalled for the way they are treating you......Myself, I would tell them in a heart beat that this is your LIFE and you're doing the best you can, under the circumstances! Perhaps THEY should be doing a better job!

Peace be with you

Traci
I mainly want to say to stand up for yourself here please! Don't let them treat you like this! I have never heard of a bc patient being treated like this.

Hugs, Diane ♥

RE

GRRRRR
Okay what is wrong with these techs! I think if I were you I would tell them that you have already been through enough without having to feel ostracized because the stickers are not sticking. I would ask for a bit more compassion which they should be able to muster for heavens sakes! This is not acceptable behavior on their part. Please do not feel badly when they do not stick it is not your fault!

♥ RE ♥

TraciInLA

RE said:

GRRRRR
Okay what is wrong with these techs! I think if I were you I would tell them that you have already been through enough without having to feel ostracized because the stickers are not sticking. I would ask for a bit more compassion which they should be able to muster for heavens sakes! This is not acceptable behavior on their part. Please do not feel badly when they do not stick it is not your fault!

♥ RE ♥

Thank you
Thank you all, for your anger and indignancy on my behalf -- I needed it. I think I'm just so worn out from 6 months of hospitals and doctors' offices and chemo and being poked and prodded every #$%*& day that I don't have the energy anymore -- I just want this to be over.

I have the 3 tattoos that they use to line me up with the lasers: 2 on my sides that they line up with the lasers shooting out of the walls of the treatment room, and 1 in the center of my chest that they line up with the one shooting out of the ceiling.

They also drew all over me with a marker at the first appointment, what I called the "demilitarized zone" between my breasts, so that the radiation to one breast won't overlap with the radiation to the other. I unfortunately wore a light-colored t-shirt to that appointment, and ended up with marker all over it on the way home, so I did ask how often they would be doing that -- they said only one more time, when they do setup for the boosters.

2 of the x's and stickers are part of the "demilitarized zone," in my cleavage. The other 4, I think I understand, are to line up the actual beams on my body. And they said they are necessary for the entire treatment. One of the techs, the last time a sticker came off, said to me like she was reprimanding me, "If this keeps happening, we're just going to have to do more tattoos."

I lost 1 sticker a couple of days ago, and 2 more are about ready to come off -- so we'll see how they react tomorrow. I'm not crazy about getting more permanent marks on my body -- between the surgery scars and the three tattoos, my chest is starting to look like a topographical map -- but maybe more tattoos would just be easier.

Have I mentioned I just want this to be over?

>:-( Traci

Akiss4me

TraciInLA said:

Thank you
Thank you all, for your anger and indignancy on my behalf -- I needed it. I think I'm just so worn out from 6 months of hospitals and doctors' offices and chemo and being poked and prodded every #$%*& day that I don't have the energy anymore -- I just want this to be over.

I have the 3 tattoos that they use to line me up with the lasers: 2 on my sides that they line up with the lasers shooting out of the walls of the treatment room, and 1 in the center of my chest that they line up with the one shooting out of the ceiling.

They also drew all over me with a marker at the first appointment, what I called the "demilitarized zone" between my breasts, so that the radiation to one breast won't overlap with the radiation to the other. I unfortunately wore a light-colored t-shirt to that appointment, and ended up with marker all over it on the way home, so I did ask how often they would be doing that -- they said only one more time, when they do setup for the boosters.

2 of the x's and stickers are part of the "demilitarized zone," in my cleavage. The other 4, I think I understand, are to line up the actual beams on my body. And they said they are necessary for the entire treatment. One of the techs, the last time a sticker came off, said to me like she was reprimanding me, "If this keeps happening, we're just going to have to do more tattoos."

I lost 1 sticker a couple of days ago, and 2 more are about ready to come off -- so we'll see how they react tomorrow. I'm not crazy about getting more permanent marks on my body -- between the surgery scars and the three tattoos, my chest is starting to look like a topographical map -- but maybe more tattoos would just be easier.

Have I mentioned I just want this to be over?

>:-( Traci

Awww...
I just want to give you a big hug!! You sound like me about wanting it to be over. When things start to slow down a bit, you will find some relief. Try to hang in there. ♥Pammy

EveningStar2

TraciInLA said:

Thank you
Thank you all, for your anger and indignancy on my behalf -- I needed it. I think I'm just so worn out from 6 months of hospitals and doctors' offices and chemo and being poked and prodded every #$%*& day that I don't have the energy anymore -- I just want this to be over.

I have the 3 tattoos that they use to line me up with the lasers: 2 on my sides that they line up with the lasers shooting out of the walls of the treatment room, and 1 in the center of my chest that they line up with the one shooting out of the ceiling.

They also drew all over me with a marker at the first appointment, what I called the "demilitarized zone" between my breasts, so that the radiation to one breast won't overlap with the radiation to the other. I unfortunately wore a light-colored t-shirt to that appointment, and ended up with marker all over it on the way home, so I did ask how often they would be doing that -- they said only one more time, when they do setup for the boosters.

2 of the x's and stickers are part of the "demilitarized zone," in my cleavage. The other 4, I think I understand, are to line up the actual beams on my body. And they said they are necessary for the entire treatment. One of the techs, the last time a sticker came off, said to me like she was reprimanding me, "If this keeps happening, we're just going to have to do more tattoos."

I lost 1 sticker a couple of days ago, and 2 more are about ready to come off -- so we'll see how they react tomorrow. I'm not crazy about getting more permanent marks on my body -- between the surgery scars and the three tattoos, my chest is starting to look like a topographical map -- but maybe more tattoos would just be easier.

Have I mentioned I just want this to be over?

>:-( Traci

Of course,
you have had it. Anyone who expects to be calm and rational during this journey is living in a dream world. It is a roller coaster ride and all we can do sometimes is hang on!

I had a different issue, my skin does not like tape of any sort. So when they started to sticker me I asked how long they needed to stay on and the tech said "a week" and I said oh no, no, no. He took off one and I was already beginning to welt. So in addition to the "regular" tatoos, I have 3 tiny ones across my breast. Ever so much easier. As a friend of mine said, they are badges of honor.

Maureen

tufi000

SIMPLY FUN

This was not a problem for me. Definitely sounds like a tech issue.

No stickers at all.  Only permanent marker which I touched up if needed after a shower.

Also it was summer and I wore camisoles. So I drew light lines between the marks and told people it was a map as we were out on the bike. I also made tiny road and route signes along the lines. The hospital loved the idea so much they took pics and recommended it to other patients!

Surely deal with the techs asap. This is hard enough.

disneyfan2008

I never had X's-interesting..

I never had X's-interesting...sorry you are having an issue wiht the tape sticking..

 

Denise

Mariangel43

what is window wraps?

Pat, I agree with you that patients should not be treated like that. But what do you mean with window wraps?  

Regarding the tapes, I am allergic to them and I won't let ANYONE tattoo me.  I went to see two ROs and I could talk to the second one.  She said the techs would tattoo me for their benefit (not mine); it makes it easier for them to do the line up. I said NO.  

Do you think radiologists and Rad Oncologists do want to get new things?  I have my doubts about it because there is an economic factor behind every tx and drug the docs give us bc patients.  Here in PR they don't want to use new modalities of tx for RT; conventional, external beam (28 or more fractions).  

Sweet dreams.

Maria