Simulation

Teakay

I went in for a simulation today and they did a CT scan and marked me up with a sharpie and tape...later to be tatooed after 2 treatments. I have been reading about a mold on other posts...I was never told anything about this...what is it and is this always used??? I was told that my next appointment would be X-rays to make sure everything in lined up and then rads would start after that. Does this sound right?? Thanks for any information!!!

barbyjean

I just finished rads. My simulation was the same as you describe, but they put a pillow thing under my arms. My arms were over my head and I had to hold onto handles, then they deflated the pillow and it molded to the position of my arms. They used the pillow mold during each treatment to make sure I was in the exact same position as when they did the simulation.

Ask them about this - my radiation techs explained everything to me that I asked about.

Good luck!       Barb 

Teakay

Thanks! Barb!! I just called them and they explained it all to me!  I never think to ask anything until I am long gone and to late. I held onto the handles and the way that you described it was the same way for me. AHHH! I feel like I am losing my mind.

dlb823

Teakay ~ Just a thought about the tattoos... I got permanent ones, and wish I'd known and been more forceful about not wanting them.  Several women in my January 09 rads group here on BCO got ones that weren't permanent.  The permanent one I have in my cleavage area is just a constant reminder I wish wasn't there.  I don't know if you can ask your RO about something less permanent (assuming they do permanent ones), but I think it's worth asking about.  I was told it would be no bigger than a freckle -- but mine is a pretty big freckle and kind of blu-ish -- not natural looking at all, at least to me.      Deanna     

Teakay

Thanks Deanna!!! Hmmm...They said that I didn't have to have tat's but because I was so active highly recommended it. They told me the same thing...that it would be no bigger than a freckle. I will ask at my next visit if they are the permanent ones...if they are I think I will pass. I don't need nor want a daily reminder. Seeing red shapie all over my torso is bad enough...but that will eventually go away. Thanks for the heads up!

momof3boys

I had a preliminary appt with my RO yesterday and told him I do not want to be tattooed. He said it's not a problem. They will mark me with a sharpie and cover it with a clear bandage and will remark and cover as needed.

Teakay

Yes, that is what they did to start off with. They marked me with a red sharpie and then put this clear tape over it. I am just hoping it stays on for a week until I start the actual radiation. I don't want to have to go back and be remarked if the tape starts falling off. (blah!! who does??)But I fugure after a week I won't have to worry about it anymore because I will be there pretty much everyday and they can remark when needed. They wanted to tatoo after a couple of treatments just to make sure every thing was lined up right. I am going to tell them NO!!

Elizabeth1889

Teakay, Good for you for planning to say no to tatoos if you do not want them.  I was not given a choice. At my rads center, they just said that is what they did.  I was too upset by the strangeness of everything to fight them.  My tatoos are small, but they are definitely noticeable and they do not look like normal freckles.  Someday, I hope to have them removed.

GiGiL

I had the tatooes.  I didn't think I would want them.  I decided to let them do it.  When I had my boosts, they used a sharpie and tape.  The tape was itchy and my skin broke out from it.  One night in the middle of the night, I was so miserable, I pulled the tape off in the middle of of my chest.. It took a small round patch of skin with it.  That little spot hurt worse than anything else I put up with in my rads treatment.  It literally ached and stung for days.  The tattoos were nothing in comparison.  If you react at all to tape, you might not want to go that route.  Best wishes,  GiGi