Stickers vs Tattoos and Burns

macdebbie

I had my first radiation treatment yesterday - yeah! One down, 15 to go...

I never thought I'd be disappointment by this, but they told me yesterday I could not have the tattoos because they didn't have the material to do them. I asked if they could order it and they said it wouldn't be here in time. Not sure why that is, as at my first planning appt, they told me they could not do the stickers that day, but at my "dry run" appt they could put them on.

So after I'd spent weeks psyching myself up to get them, looking forward to not having to be careful washing or moisturizing, and now I can't get them. I've got permanent blue ink all over my bras and clothes, it's a royal pain to try and moisturize around them.

Biggest question - since burns happen from the inside out and moisturizing it seems is more to soothe and heal than prevent, does that mean I will have burns under these 6 or so stickers I have that I won't be able to treat? What if they blister under the stickers?

Also, should I be moisturizing my back? Do people get burned on their backs as well?

exbrnxgrl

macdebbie,

It is my understanding that many places are moving away from tattoos as most people don’t want their bodies permanently marked. The materials would include a tattoo machine and the ink, of course. I do not know if this material is different from what is used in regular tattooing, but if they don’t have it, and are phasing it out there’s not much to be done. Wishing you the best with the remaining sessions.

Spookiesmom

First time rads the used a needle and India ink. Just a tiny stick. Barely see them. Second time, other side, they used tape and sharpies. I washed in shower as usual. If they started to come off, techs just stuck back on. Used cream as usual everywhere as usual. I didn’t burn on my back either time

exbrnxgrl

spookiesmom,

Like a prison tat! My center had, what looked like, a regular tattoo machine

MountainMia

My routine was like Spookiesmom. Just marker and tape. When they needed to be remarked or retaped, the techs did them.

Also, not everyone ends up with burns. My skin was pinked and was a little burned and fragile, especially near my underarm, and I had to be careful about my bra rubbing there. (I used cotton, open-in-front bras from Walmart, and I simply used scissors to cut the edge of the bra away, so it was more open and less abrasive.) But other than that, I didn't have trouble. It's good to be ready for it, but it won't necessarily happen.

LW422

I am currently having rads; 5 weeks done and 1 (boosts) to go. I've had the Sharpie marks and stickers (which are just clear tape stuff) since the beginning. Each week the techs re-do any marks that are getting faded and replace any stickers that are letting go. I have continued to shower daily and take no special precautions.

My RO did not recommend any creams or lotions at all unless I need them for soothing; so far I have not needed them. The application of creams, moisturizers, etc. will vary from doctor to doctor.

I do have a pink area on my back (shoulder) on the radiation side. So far it has not caused any discomfort. I also have a Mepitel patch mid-chest where I receive a higher dose of rads. I have not had any blistering at all, and don't notice any effects under the Mepitel or the clear stickers.

AliceBastable

I wore an old comfortable bra for radiation so I wouldn't care if it got ink-stained or not. It eventually washed out anyway, so no big deal. I didn't get much skin problem, a little bit of pink and dryness in the nipple area, some itching and dryness where the node incision was, and a darker pink on the thinner skin on my clavicle. Once the dryness showed up, I used aloe on it right away, then smeared Aquaphor on it later. I have extremely fair skin so don't assume any burning is tied in with skin tone. My Mom had darker skin, and her breast turned brownish when she had radiation several years earlier, but neither of us had any real discomfort from it.

jhl

Debbie,

I posted this link in which a rad onc addresses the 'burns'. You can put almost anything on your skin & it won't change what damage the radiation does. However, she stresses that lotions & creams will indeed soothe. So, use whatever you use for your ichthyosis moisturizer on your breast skin. The radiation is going to destroy those cells no matter what. That is how it works.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics...

Stay well,

Jane

TB90

Deb, you have created many threads and ask similar questions. You appear to be extremely anxious over every aspect of you radiation treatment. You are anxious about tats and then anxious if you cannot have them. Your anxiety is going to cause you much more distress and issues than the radiation. Now that you are committed to a treatment, please do not anticipate issues, but save your energy for issues that present. You have clearly researched the potential problems, but then do not ignore all the reassurances and evidence that suggests the safety of this treatment. Be reassured by the positives and the treatment that women with breast cancer now receive. Do not seek problems. Save that for when problems do present. Is there a social worker or support group associated with your treatment centre? I had a technician that would just address questions related to treatment. That helped. But at some point you cannot just focus on the possibility of problems. Embrace the positives.

Gretchenbuddy

TB90, thanks. That's great advice for everyone!

ShetlandPony

Macdebbbie, I answered you recently on one of your threads. I think it would be good if you stick with one thread to enable the community to converse with you. All those new threads on similar topics are dizzying! Best wishes to you!