External Radiation Procedure

Gardena

I don't know if this has been addressed in a previous thread, if so, I apologize in advance for asking. In March I will begin 25 rounds of external radiation. For those who have done this, are you naked or covered? A friend of a friend told me you're buck naked lying on the table in the custom cast made so you don't move. Since I really don't know this person (and haven't met w my onco/rad yet) I'm unsure of the validity of her information. She also told me I'll be marked w permanent ink at the radiation points. Permanent ink, like a tattoo. If anyone is willing to share their experience I would be grateful.  Thanks much~

Lou Ann M

Had all or most of my clothes on

I had 28 external radiation treatments and was never naked.  Most of the time I had all or most of my clothing on.  I never had to take of my top and if I had pants with no metal I was able to leave those on too.    If I had to remove my slacks they always gave me a towel to cover up with.  They do make a cast of your body from waist down so you can't move during the radiation treatment ..  I had to hold my hands over my chest and not move for the 20 or so minutes that the monster machine made its trip around me.  It changes positions 9 different times.  The technicians treated me with the utmost respect.  My biggest problem was an unrealistic fear of falling asleep and rolling of of the table.  They even played music for me of my choice.  If you do have to remove clothing they give you bathrobes to cover body parts up with.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

Gardena

Lou Ann M said:

Had all or most of my clothes on

I had 28 external radiation treatments and was never naked.  Most of the time I had all or most of my clothing on.  I never had to take of my top and if I had pants with no metal I was able to leave those on too.    If I had to remove my slacks they always gave me a towel to cover up with.  They do make a cast of your body from waist down so you can't move during the radiation treatment ..  I had to hold my hands over my chest and not move for the 20 or so minutes that the monster machine made its trip around me.  It changes positions 9 different times.  The technicians treated me with the utmost respect.  My biggest problem was an unrealistic fear of falling asleep and rolling of of the table.  They even played music for me of my choice.  If you do have to remove clothing they give you bathrobes to cover body parts up with.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

Thanks Lou Ann

I appreciate you sharing your experience.  With only two remaining infusions I'm looking forward to the next phase of my treatment.  I've always tried to live in the moment as to fully experience life,  but have a habit of planning ahead. Thanks for sharing your experience,  you've put my mind at ease. 

StrongerthanIthought

I never disrobed

I was able to just pull my top up as high as bra band, pants down around my knees but was covered w a towel.  I did not have a cast made but I did have to lay still. To help with this - I was given a ring to hold onto (they called it a steering wheel) to keep my arms up out of the way. Also my feet were on a rubber base so they stayed still. I got to pick the music they played. Actually it was kind of peaceful. You can not feel anything, and you are alone in the room. I did get the tattoos. They are used as markers to aim the beam. Just small pencil point size dots - not painful - just a little uncomfortable but over quickly. You can do this!    Barb

cleo

Radiotherpy

Also make sure that you are aware of the specific unscented soaps/creams to use to ensure that there is no skin discomfort.  Warm baths only etc.

NoTimeForCancer

Just to chime in, I had IMRT

Just to chime in, I had IMRT radiation and there was a mold made that I had to get in to before each radiation.  It was a bag of beads that they sucked the air out of so it formed AROUND me.  If was pretty neat.  I had an xray each time before the radiation treatment.  They took the "plan" for my radiation (IMRT is not a point and shoot) and compared it to the one they just took and the computer lined it all up so it was giving me the radiation needed in each area.  It is incredible accurate, and keeping in mind that your internal organs are probably not in the same place all the time, it is pretty fascinating.

Now, maybe because it was IMRT I did have to insert, what looked like, a glow in the dark, silicone dialator.  The first time I went I had the 2 coolest guys.  They flat out asked, "do you want to do this or do you want to do this?"  (Now I was super pissed at my radiologist because he never TOLD me about this and it was just one more surprise being thrown at me)  I told them, "yeah, I'll do it" and they left the room.  I told them when I was ready for them to come back in.  I removed my bottom but was provided a sheet to cover myself.  They did push the sheet down to align it all, but my privates were covered.

Now, I did not get any tatoos.  I had been marked with a permanent marker and then had clear, plastic dots put on top to keep the markers.  We ended up replacing them once throughout the 25 external series.  

Again, this is just my experience.  It was painless and pretty quick.  

Gardena

Awesome info, thanks

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience, I am now armed with some questions for my rad/oncologist I would never have thought to ask. Coincidentally,  I received a phone call from my rad/oncologist 's office today to set up my initial consultation for next week, Tuesday. That day I have a pre infusion blood draw, a meeting w a geneticist to evaluate possible mutations I may have and what, if any different cancers to scan for,  then a meeting w my oncology nurse to go over my blood results and ensure I'm good to go for chemo the next day and then I meet w the rad/oncologist. Whew! 

I am grateful I am being taken care of so well by my Dr and her team, but I am so looking forward to when this is no longer my reality. Cancer treatment is hard y'all and I want to get my power and strength back.  (Rant over... :-) Thanks so much for being here, it's wonderful to "talk" with others who know what I'm going through.  I hope I can offer information and support when needed by you. 

Kvdyson

Thanks for starting this post

Thanks for starting this post! I'll be starting radiation in a few weeks and never even thought of these issues. You have all given me so much new information. Thanks again!

Byr15

Gardena said:

Awesome info, thanks

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience, I am now armed with some questions for my rad/oncologist I would never have thought to ask. Coincidentally,  I received a phone call from my rad/oncologist 's office today to set up my initial consultation for next week, Tuesday. That day I have a pre infusion blood draw, a meeting w a geneticist to evaluate possible mutations I may have and what, if any different cancers to scan for,  then a meeting w my oncology nurse to go over my blood results and ensure I'm good to go for chemo the next day and then I meet w the rad/oncologist. Whew! 

I am grateful I am being taken care of so well by my Dr and her team, but I am so looking forward to when this is no longer my reality. Cancer treatment is hard y'all and I want to get my power and strength back.  (Rant over... :-) Thanks so much for being here, it's wonderful to "talk" with others who know what I'm going through.  I hope I can offer information and support when needed by you. 

External Radiation

I was surprised to be beginning my radiation next week, I am just feeling better today from my last (6) chemo, after 3 wks. I just had my CT planning/mapping appt, it was quite intense, but everyone very nice. I had my shirt pulled up to bra, no pants on, and held a round ring as mentioned. Have my tattoos (but won't be showing them off to anyone!!). The possible side effects sound unpleasant, but I trust my RadOnc and everyone in the office to help me. It is nice to find a site where other women are making their way through this journey in life that none of us expected. (I have UPSC stage IIIC1). 

NoTimeForCancer

Kvdyson said:

Thanks for starting this post

Thanks for starting this post! I'll be starting radiation in a few weeks and never even thought of these issues. You have all given me so much new information. Thanks again!

Ladies, for me, radiation was

Ladies, for me, radiation was EXHAUSTING.  Chemo made me tired but I bounced back.  Radiation can continue to work for weeks after the last treatment so bouncing back was even slower for me.  I had never felt the kind of exhaustion in my life.  Ladies, do yourself a favor, just give in to the feeling and take a nap.  

I promise you this:  YOU WILL MAKE IT.  

Byr15

NoTimeForCancer said:

Ladies, for me, radiation was

Ladies, for me, radiation was EXHAUSTING.  Chemo made me tired but I bounced back.  Radiation can continue to work for weeks after the last treatment so bouncing back was even slower for me.  I had never felt the kind of exhaustion in my life.  Ladies, do yourself a favor, just give in to the feeling and take a nap.  

I promise you this:  YOU WILL MAKE IT.  

Hello

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I wanted to say I love your photo!