External Radiation Procedure

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

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

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.  

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!

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 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.