Did you get covered during radiation treatments?

Sunone

I don't have to go into the waiting room after changing. The place I go takes one person into the treatment room, then I go into the changing room and put on a gown, open in the front, then I sit on a bench outside of the treatment room, when the person ahead of me comes out, I go in. When I come out the next person is waiting on the bench to go in. The men do not change, they go in in their street clothes. In the treatment room I leave the gown on and just take off the left side before I lie down. The techs open the right side to line up the tats, but then cover that side up again before starting the rads. The techs are very nice and respectful which makes going easier, there are usually three of them in the room with me and they all make sure to say hi and chat a little.

RunswithScissors

This thread has been very helpful  - I will be starting rads in Dec. and every bit of advice helps me prepare emotionally. 

The facility I will be using does both infusion and rads - I know they have heated blankets in the chemo area. 

So, if the rad room is cold and they don't offer, I will ask them to go get me a heated blanket. Thanks for the heads up about this.   

mimi1964

This thread has been very helpful as I will be seeing my RADS onc for the first time on 12/2/09 and I assume over the next few weeks I will be going through the sim, the CT and starting my RADS.  I am very anxious about starting RADS, rather I am totally dreading it.  I still have my modesty left, unfortunately for me, and I am not looking forward to going in everyday, freezing in the dead of winter on a cold table and exposing my breast to man or woman.  And as for the tatts I would rather have a sharpie at least it will eventually wear off, but unfourtunately for me the place that is local where I will get my RADS only does tatts.  So, unless I throw a big unladylike fit with the RADS onc and make an a** out of myself I guess I am stuck with the tatts for life.

Laurie09

I had a gown on and would slip my arm out and was uncovered on the treated side while they set things up.  Then they would cover me while I had the treatment...

A couple of times there were different techs there who did not cover me before the actual treatment, and I was COLD!  For that reason, I wanted to be covered...

fg2000

I just finished my 17th treatment today - complex treatment. As soon as I lay on the table I am covered with a warm blanket for which I am extremely grateful for as it is FREEZING cold in the room. I have 4 different techs that alternate in pairs. They are all wonderful and I feel very comfortable with them. There is music in the room and pictures to look at on the ceiling which I find very calming. It is only during the last angle that the breast being treated is uncovered and it really doesn't bother me at all.

AICa

I have been fighting my way through rads; have completed 28 treatments and have 9 boosts left.From day one, I told my Rad Onc NO TATTOOS and NO PHOTOS. I am modest and always choose female doctors but there are only 4 male Rad Oncs here. The day of my mapping appt, I waited in the lobby until my name was called by a young man. He looked about 25 and I'm 63. He introduced himself and said he was an intern and would be with me for my procedure. I stopped; couldn't think what to say but I knew I didn't want him there. I blurted out something like, "I don't want to be learned on." He said, "It's okay, there will be two other people there." Sounded dreadful. I finally asked if I had a choice; he said yes, and I said I didn't want him there. When I got to the room with the techs (one male and one female), I said I didn't want the intern there and NO TATTOOS. I felt strongly about that. By this point I was crying.

There was paperwork, then the female tech said she was going to take my picture. I asked if I had a choice, she said yes but she was only going to take a picture of my face so they'd recognize me and wouldn't have to keep asking my name and DOB. I said NO PHOTOS. I was shaking by then, at which point she said that when they were finished with the mapping they were going to take a picture of my breast. By then I was backing up and said NO PHOTOS. She agreed. At every step of the process, every time I've met someone new I say: No Tattoos and No Photos and wait for their acknowledgement.

After mapping, she made an appt. for simulation. I asked if I could have only female personal, and she said yes. I couldn't get my preferred time but it was worth it. I asked them to keep me covered whenever possible. The first day they showed me the woman's dressing room; after putting on a gown, they would page me; then I was supposed to walk a wide, long corridor to the back of the building. I was uncomfortable with that, so they showed me some robes. But since I can't count on there always being a robe, I've always brought in a jacket or coat to wear over my gown. Also, I hated having my name announced over the P.A. So they offered to come and get me when they're ready. 

The techs are really nice, but still I have had to remind them to keep me covered. Sometimes there's a different female tech who isn't used to me. If she folds down my entire gown, I pull it up over the breast not being treated and ask to be kept covered. Once, they headed out of the room without putting the pillowcase on me and I called them back. The techs are kind and patient, and I appreciate it. I bring them treats, thank them, and plan to give them a nice card and Target gift cards when I finish.

It's difficult for me to assert myself under these conditions. I always cry during treatment; relieving stress, I guess. As I have gone through treatment, I've been reading the Sept. and Oct. rads groups; and many women feel strongly about being covered. I think that some medical staff may need to be reminded that they call us patients; but we are clients, we are customers; they should be catering to us and our needs, asking us our preferences. And ladies, if they don't ask we need to speak up and possibly go over their heads. It's obvious from how many people are getting rads while covered that techs don't need to see us breathe.

JKLLS, thank you for a chance to vent.

leaf

I'm so sorry you are going through so much trauma, AlCa. 

I've never had rads, but I work at the place(s) where I get followed (I have LCIS and nothing worse.)

If you live in the USA, you are covered by HIPAA regulations. If so, there should be a HIPAA compliance officer somewhere.  I know this won't address  the gown part, but it may address part of the 'announcing your name over the intercom' part.

I ended up getting an alias for when I get treatment, so my boss doesn't get to know the meds I am on and my diagnoses (I have other issues, and my last name is an uncommon one.) I got my choice of name. I know some employees have chosen the name 'No Info', but I was able to choose my name and chose my real first name (luckily its a rather common first name), and I Googled the list of the most common last names for the decade of my birth.  I chose a last name in the most common 25 last names.

I have had confidentiality breaches in the past, including (through a 3rd party) essentially a male stranger (radiology clerk) telling me that he recommended that I have bilateral mastectomies while I was busy during work. (He knew someone else with my diagnosis. My reply was, "That takes audacity!")

They still haven't completely implemented my alias, (they have to dig up stuff from over 10 years ago), but at least I have *some* protection against my co-workers.

Maybe this won't work for you, but I'm so sorry you are going through this.

AICa

leaf - Good for you for getting an alias (and one that's carefully thought out). I can't believe that rad clerk spoke to you that way! I've always been a private person, too; tell only close family and a few friends about health problems. I like that saying, "BC isn't for sissies."

elimar86861

I had an option to wear a gown in the treatment room.  I passed on that.  I wanted to get in and out of there in the quickest possible time.  I wanted to go in there, take off my top and bra, hop on the table and be done with it.  The techs put out a small towel or pillowcase that I could hold up in front of me while walking over to the table and they used it to cover my non-treatment side while I was getting zapped (two angles) but I could have cared less.  I only had my top off for about 5 minutes each time, so it was never about being chilly.

Since all women feel differently, the important thing is to have several options available to make the patient comfortable and free of stress.

aspen

I have been thru rad. twice (once on each side) at the hospital facility where I worked.   Due to my job there as Cancer Registrar (ironic, yes), I was familiar with the techs and the Rad. Oncs.  I went into a dressing room and put on a gown, waited there until my turn and then when I was on the treatment table, took the arm out of the gown on the treated side and that side of the gown was open.  My non-treatment side stayed covered the whole time.  I had tattoos and now (13 yrs after the 1st tx and 6 yrs after the 2nd) the tats are just little black dots that you wouldn't notice if you didn't know they are there.  The Sharpie of course eventually wears off (I still to this day hate the smell of a Sharpie-my one phobia from all this).   I did have one incident where a male radiation intern (whom I had not been introduced to and did not know he would be in the room) appeared while I was on the tx. table.  I later complained about not expecting him to be there and told them if I had known about it I would have been okay with it.   That situation never happened again.  I always knew the techs who were in the room from then on.  My Rad. Onc. was a female.  I chose her over the male for the simple reason that I just liked her better on a personal level. I did have a female GYN at one time and left her to go to a male GYN because I had problems with her.  The Rad. treatments really don't take that long, more time spent waiting in the waiting room.  Just talk to your Rad. Onc. and get things straight before the txs. 

Alyad

I think one thing we can take away from this thread is that there is no one right answer and that the best thing to do is give us a choice.I know some places might say- well we can't remember who's modest and who's not? I had the choice to take the time to change into a gown before treatment, but I never bothered as I was usually the last one of the day and like elimar I just wanted to get in and get out. I just took my top off and hopped on the table. I didn't feel that exposed during treatment as I had a mold that snapped me down to the table that was like a tube top kinda. they brought me warm blankets almost everyday as well and covered my legs and arms.  

All the techs were female , but I had a lot of men see my boobs along the way and it doesn't matter to me. However, in my everyday life I have only showed my reconstruction to dh and  one fellow bc survivor I met here at bc.org. No one's asked, tho a couple people have asked to touch it!

Maybe after I get my nipple tattoo in a few weeks I'll go around and ask who wants to see it!

Dee2010

I'm doing my last rads today, and I find our cancer center is very aware patient sensitivities. They have a couple of single change rooms (men and women use them, one at a time). We're instructed to put on a gown tied in the back, and then use another one as a housecoat - no barebacks (or bums!).  Men and women are in the waiting areas - some are accompanied by their spouses, so it would be difficult to have separate waiting areas.  When I get the treatment, I remove the housecoat, untie the gown, lie down and remove my arms from the gown.  They measure everything against the tats, then cover me with a half-sheet to do the treatments. They never asked, they just do it with everyone, as I understand it.  It's not a question of modesty for me (heck, I get dressed in front of them as we chat), but there are some cold breezes in the room!

ETA I also see my rad-onc once a week, and a nurse whenever I want before/after rads treatment.

Linda603

My RT is male.  I do not cover up at all.  He is very professional and I don't feel the least bit uncomfortable with him.  I suppose, too, that I'm just used to being "topless" around people.  I had an ob/gyn appointment recently, and was asked to undress from the waist down.  Without even thinking, I took off my top and left my pants on! 

windsweptacres

Could you tell me how they marked you if they didn't use tattoos for radiation treatments? I am fighting this right now as I do not want to be tattooed. Thank you.

sandy123

I was left on the table nude from the waist up. My techs were all men. I wasn't even covered when other men would come in the room to bring paperwork or even when they brought in my Dr. to check things out. I was very uncomfortable and addressed the issue with my Dr. at my weekly apt. He seemed surprised to hear this and claimed that no one had ever complained about this before. After that my chest was covered with a small towel which they would pull back when lining me up and then uncover the breast to be treated at the time of radiation.

Eliz52

It's great you're concerned about patient privacy because it makes a HUGE difference to a lot of patients, male and female. My SIL was diagnosd with hodgkins lymphoma in her late 20's and to this day the most distressing experiece was the radiation treatment. She was asked to lie naked with male technicians - she was mortified beyond belief and as well as coping with cancer, had that distress on top....she refused further treatment and action was taken.

It shouldn't have come to that...I just don't understand why patient modesty and dignity are so often disregarded in the medical world. This is going back a few years and things have obviously improved - so pleased to hear it. While my SIL was having treatment, a 17 year old girl also refused treatment as she wasn't prepared to be naked with male techs, my SIL helped her sort out appropriate care. 

Dr Joel Sherman's medical privacy forum and Dr Bernstein's forum both show how important patient modesty and dignity are to many people - some of the stories are horrifying, people being treated like slabs of meat. You sound like you're going to be an amazing RT....your patients will be very lucky. BreastScreen offer all female care, such a shame this basic thing is so often overlooked elsewhere.

GabbyCal

OK - I had to dig and dig to find this post, but really felt it is important to share.

At the center when I have radiation, my bare breast is rarely exposed. When you arrive, you go into a changing room, remove clothing from the waist up and put on a standard hospital gown, open in the back.

When I get on the table, they open the back so my bare back is on the table to be sure I'm in the same position every time. They uncover the breast being treated just enough to check their measurements. Then, they cover the breast with the gown and do the treatment. 

If you're considering more than one place for radiation and this is important to you, I suggest asking. Knowing that you don't need to be bare, I'd be tempted to bring my own "gown" if I were going to a place that didn't provide them. Maybe one of my DH's shirts worn backwards.

duckyb1

Not a problem for me........I have mostly female techs, and 1 male tech, named Mark who is adorable.....On my last day for tattoo, he was there, and I thought just gonna show me where to go, no so.......he was in the room the entire time, and right before getting on the table he said "ok, take off your gown, I had everything on, just waist up was bare...........I looked at him, and he smiled at me........I said (I'm 76) to him........Ok, honey, if you can handle it, so can I.  He couldn't stop laughing...........when I was leaviing the girl there said, on Monday yo will be seeing, me or Mark..........I smiled at Mark and said "I would suggest you don't eat breakfast".........he laughed again..........sure cleanred up the little bit of tension having a male tech.

I went back today for the 5th treatment, and there was Mark, after not seeing him for 5 days..........He said "Hi honey, how are yo doing"..............I smiled and said, grreat, haven't seen you for several days............after our last encounter did you need a vacation"............again he laughed............

The only thing exposed on me even though I have the gown completely off is the breast being treated............yes it is cold in the room, but they have to keep the equipment cool.  That is the reason.  I am always asked if I want an extra cover for the exposed side, but you get at least 1 to cover yourself with...

My feeling is "whatever it takes to get me to a good p lace with this disease"......

I wondered about not doing Rads too, and it was even mentioned to me,but i don't want to take the chance not even at 76.............I have too much left in my life to do, and I want to make sure when I leave this world, cancer did not take me...........It does not deserve me............

You new ladies will do fine, just keep thinking good thoughts, and do what I do..........I bought 33 scratch off lottery tickets which represents my 33 treatments.................I scratch one each day when I come home...........I have scratched 5 so far, and have had 4 winners...........So far I have won a total of $24.00, so I almost recouped my original investment.  hahahha Good luck ladies.

texaslonghorn31

All the techs I had going through RADS were women. I was not covered from the wasit up during the RADS. I was in a room by myself when they did the RADS and would change into a gown in a room shared by both men and women (only one at a time in the changing room). Honestly I got to the point where I felt like everyone had seen, cut, touched, smashed, proded, poked, etc etc my boob and really didn't care that I was lying there topless. However while I am not one to show my boobs, I am not shy or modest, so it really didn't bother me.

HugsAndJugs

I was really glad to find this thread. This whole idea has really bothered me as I anticipate radiation. I don't think of myself as shy but rather modest. The same way - I don't think of others as exhibitionists but simply comfortable being partially nude. I really wish this that the idea of laying there half naked with people walking around didn't bug me, but it really, really does. I'm figuring out that having some choices and knowing the details of what to expect is huge! I think I tend to be the agreeable, easy to get along with person and I have to remember to advocate for myself, and not apologize for the things I'm uncomfortable with. I'm currently going through chemo and although I haven't lost my hair I also haven't lost my modesty with my breasts. So, I've made some notes for myself and I plan to meet with my radiation oncologist before my treatments start and find out what the options are and what the details are - how many female vs. male techs? can I have a blanket, etc.? I think getting information and feeling empowered will make a difference. Thanks to everyone who's given their input.

susaninicking

Hi Hugs,

I'm in Germany, the land of all things naked, and tho I'm desensitized about my breasts I still do not love walking down a hallway and around the corner with nothing on. Besides exposure it is just plain chilly. I take a wide scarf to throw around me or just leave a t-shirt on and whip it off at the last minute. There are so many women at my hospital having rads for BC that I figure no one is interested in anything other than the lines and targets drawn all over me!

jjnscat52

Yes I was covered with a small towel and they lifted each side to see the tattoos. One day they tried to use a male tech and I said "NO". Men think about sex every 7 seconds. I was a youthful looking 52 when I went through radiation and I absolutely would not let a young man see my breasts. I found out the men were watching on the monitor and believe me I let them know in no uncertain terms that that was unacceptable. After that they had the men leave when I came in for treatment. I was once startled to see an image of me on the computer screen where I looked completely naked. Was that from the planning CT scan? The whole thing can be demoralizing and really quite prurient. Every tech, every doctor, every nurse needs to ask themselves if they would want to be treated the way some patients are treated. I have heard them use the word "patient" with contempt. They are patients too at some clinic and I'm sure they expect to be treated with dignity so they should treat their patients with dignity. We are not second class citizens. We are human beings who happened to get sick

Kicks

I was partially covered.  My jeans were stripped down to hips and a warmed blanket covered me from waist to toes.  I had a towel and that side of my 'Super Woman' cape over non-surgery side.

There was 1 young (30ish) male tech there.  I was asked if I minded dealing with him - NO.  He did my Simulation, most of weekly tests and a couple of my rads.  Totally OT in some ways, but when we got to 'talking' - I knew him from years before - he and my Sons had gone to high school together.

We were each given our own locked locker.  There's a private shower in the changing room if you wanted to use it.  Was given terryclothe robe, 'cape' and slippers (piles of then in there and you could get new ones daily or use for a day or 2).  Took off bra and shirt, jewelry and shoes but socks and jeans could stay on, wig/scarf could also stay on til we entered the rad room.  There would be fully clothed people, sitting in the waiting room with the person they had brought or alone while who they brought was having their rads.

The biggest surprise to me was that there was no closeable door!  The door into the rads room had no door whatsoever.  It was just an opening that was about 8' tall and 12' wide.  As the room is circular, somehow the radiation can not escape the room because of the shape.

Momine

I was naked from the waist up. It really didn't bother me. I have had a double mastectomy, if that makes any difference.

aaoaao

I never had rads on my first cancer go round. However, when I developed a tumor on my lower spine I had radiation to it. I was given a hospital gown and had to strip down to my panties. After lying down on the table I had to pull my gown up and slightly low my panties below my hips. Once the tech lined my up she covered me with a sheet. I only had female techs so it wasn't too big a deal. The strangest part was getting up off the table and trying to reposition my underwear under the gown. I did appreciate having the sheet.

slv58

I had both male and female techs. Being naked has never bothered me and I actually got quite a chuckle the first few times at the effort (procedure) that was taken to protect my modesty. Everyone receiving rads was instructed to put on two hospital gowns. First one with opening in back, then second one over first with opening in front. I would enter room, take off first outer gown and lay it on rad table. Hop on, then remove my arm from radiating side. Techs would shift me into position by pulling first gown I was laying on. They would check that I was lined up with tats, then cover my boob with gown before exiting room. The first time I got a "lesson " on this procedure!

CTMOM1234

I had my rads in the prone (on my tummy) position but had 5 boosts at the end on my back. I was surprised how cavalier the techs were about my being completely uncovered during the boosts, and how very different it felt than being prone. I expressed a desire to be covered after that first boost and they respected that -- this is such a stressful experience that we all must know that we have the right to be covered.

SelenaWolf

I was lucky, I guess.  My radtechs were all women and my unaffected side was, always kept covered.  And, before uncovering me, the radtechs would ask if it was okay or if I was ready to proceed.  The thoughtfulness was nice.

Mommy-N-Me5

I am still undergoing treatments and I have not been covered once.  It still feels awkward.  Just when I think I am getting used to it they bring in someone just to get familiar with the equipment.  I have one man usually but two once a week.  Thank God they are quick.  I feel so embarrassed.  I just thought once I was lined up they could cover me back up.  Even the side not having the treatment is uncovered.

wyo

Mommy

do you feel like you could ask them if they could provide you a sheet or use your gown to cover? My place I was uncovered for lining up the tattoos- I am not sure how they could do that without making sure the beam and the marks on your skin line up but once that was done they covered me with the gown ( i was out of the sleeves so it laid like a sheet) when it was cold they gave me a warm blanket from the waist down which was quite nice. 

Working in surgery all these years I have to say we don't really "uncover" people until they are sedated or asleep.  I always felt it was a dignity issue as much as a modesty issue as people do worry about being asleep and exposed. Not sure why in this venue where people are anxious, positioned in uncomfortable ways and WIDE AWAKE.... there is not more compassion and concern.