Dry Run

granitegirl

I have DCIS and after three incisions biopsies finally have clear margins and have started the Radiation Process at Sloan Kettering in NYC.    I had the simulation on Wednesday and now have been told that I will have a "Dry Run" before the actual Radiation.   The Technician explained that during the Dry Run I will be in the machine sued for the Radiation and they will just make sure that I am lined up correctly.

I have been reading these boards and have read about the simulation but have not read anything about a Dry Run.   Is this something only done at Sloan?   It does not seem like a big deal, I just want to start the actual Radiation and be done with it.   

Sloan also performs the Radiation while you are on the stomach, in the prone position.   Is this also done other places?   I was prone during the simulation, with my arm over my head.  It was a bit uncomfortable but not terrible.   My RO said that the Radiation while prone is less damaging to other areas.

Thanks for any comments. 

GottaloveNED

My rad onc and technicians did something similar also. They called mine a practice run and gave me one of my favorite comments during the cancer journey... " measure twice, shoot once".

Elizabeth1889

granitegirl, I also had the dry run done between the simulation and the first actual rad treatment.  I think it is standard procedure.  The prone position sounds like a good idea, but my center did not do that.  Good luck with all of your rad treatments.