initial consult with rad onco

lrr4993

Any suggestions on things I should be asking about?

There is tons of info on this board about chemo, but it seems like rads are less discussed.

Thanks 

dlb823

Irr, some of the things I wanted to know were (1) Do I really need rads, and why?  (2) What's the potential for heart and/or lung damage?  (3)  What's the potential for causing or exaccerbating lymphedema? 

Another thing I didn't know to do and wish I had, is to question if you absolutely must have the little permanent tattoos they place on your chest.  I was told they're no larger than a freckle, so no big deal, butthe one in my cleavage area is much blacker than my freckles, and I dislike the daily reminder of bc.  I've since heard of other places doing the tats with markers, so you might want to ask about that.   

Good luck!   Deanna

lrr4993

I had no idea about permanent tattoos.  I will definitely ask about temporary options.  Thanks.

jo1955

Irr4993 - To have tattoos or not is a personal decision.  They can be removed once rads are over.  You need to ask exactly where the tattoos will be placed.  Each rad center is different - depends on the machine they use and what the rad techs use to align you everyday.

I have 3 permanent tattoos - one on each of my sides just below the bra line and one centered on my chest below the bra line.  My rad techs use fixed lasers on the walls and ceiling that they use to line up the tattoos.  Mine are so small I have to search for them.  They also use additional markings on my breast - these are temporary and have to be redone everyday as they do fade with showers and hot flashes.  The weekends are most challenging as the temp markers really do fade and I try to be careful so the rad techs don't have to do too much extra work to get them done again.  It can get uncomfortable in the body mold. 

If your BC is on the left side and you are concerned about heart/lung damage - the  machines that are used today and the calculations that are used are so precise that there is very little if any potential for damage to vital organs.  My BC is on the left and I had the same concern as well. I did extensive research on the internet and drilled by rad onc before I made the decision to go through with rads. 

Be sure to ask lots of questions and don't agree to anything until you are comfortable.  

Hope this helps.

I have to agree with you on starting this thread.  I did not have chemo.  I am like you, want more info on rads 

Jo 

elimar86861

Radiation - before, during & after, is a huge forum with over a hundred threads, and you can find it in the pull-down menu above.. Here's a link to the forum:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70

AICa

I absolutely refused to be tattooed. They used ink and covered the ink with Tegaderm patches, which are like tiny round bandaids but they are clear. The techs redid the ink and replaced the patches every now and then throughout treatment.

I found a number of things were negotiable; but you have to ask; they don't offer. On my first day, a young man introduced himself as an intern and said he'd be with me for my procedure. I asked if I had a choice; I did, and he stayed out. I also refused to be photographed. And I asked for only women techs. 

So I suggest you ask exactly what is going to happen (get details); and if you don't like something, ask whether it's negotiable.