Markings During Radiation Treatment

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SLP82
SLP82 Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Looking for info on how to preserve the paint pen markings put on by the radiation therapist. Have had six treatments and she is frustrated because she has had to re mark or touch up markings everyday.  I stopped using aquaphor or any creams on my skin and bathe every two or three days but continue to get in trouble with my therapist. There is tape in a few spots but she seems most annoyed by the marks that fade nearest my sternum and along the clavicle. Any ideas? 

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited February 2014

    Didn't they do tats?  The faciity I went to did 4 pinpoint tattoos for alignment.

    Take care of your skin!  It is under a lot of stress and believe me, you do not want to have to deal with major 'burns' for  months after the end of rads - been there done that and have the scars to prove it.

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  • SLP82
    SLP82 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2014

    No, no tats, but after reading so much in last 2 days, I will ask tomorrow.  Just thinking about going tomorrow stresses me out! Did you have markings besides the tattoos and if so, did you have a hard time keeping them intact? Thanks so much for the reply. I have been lurking at this site since my dx last May but finally reached my breaking point today and haven't been able to find answers. Glad I finally asked! 

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited February 2014

    SLP82:  As though you do not have enough to worry about.  I feel that it is their responsibility to ensure that the markings remain. I just had my tats and there are three tiny little pin prick size dots.  Don't you stress another minute and place the responsibility back on them where it belongs, damn it all :) 

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  • SLP82
    SLP82 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2014

    Thanks TB90.....you are right, as I've also been told by family and friends. We must minimize stress! The rad nurse just called me and advised trying pure aloe Vera mixed with the aquaphor....said it's not as greasy and should minimize the smearing of the markings.   She also said that I must use something on my skin if I have pain or itching and just to do the best I can....sometimes they just have to touch them up....she was much more realistic than the therapist....

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited February 2014

    I didn't want the tatts.  They drew on my skin with a green Sharpie and gave me one to do my own touch-ups at home (after showers.)  That arrangement worked out fine.  It never became an issue for me or my team.  I did have to sacrifice and old bra because it had green markings on it after all the weeks.  No biggie.  Remember, clean skin no lotion before rads.  I used aloe to moisturize afterward, and just patted it on, no smudging. 

    [Edit:  Ha! Looks like our posts crossed, about the aloe.]

    ...continue to get in trouble with my therapist.

    Really?  Don't forget who pays who, and who needs to shut their pie-hole.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited February 2014

    The first day of simulation, 'Majik Markers' were used and the the next day they were checked for location and then the 4 little blue dots were injected.  Very inoccouios (sp?) little dots that they said might eventually go away - 2 have in the almost 4 yrs but 2 are still there.  The only people who could ever see me are me, Hubby or medical staff unless I decide to become a nudist - anti a gonna happen.

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  • SLP82
    SLP82 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2014

    Thanks Kicks....asking about tattoos tomorrow for sure.....this is craziness! I have pink and blue marks and tape everywhere, like a checkerboard...I don't really mind but I want to be able to take care of my skin and not be admonished when they fade off because I slept on my side! 

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited February 2014

    I had rads to my femur met and have tiny pinpoint tattoos. A member of bco who lives in Israel, says they use iodine for marking on women who won't get tattoos for religious reasons. But, I agree with others, it's not your job to worry about it !

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited February 2014

    My tats are so small that I could not even find them.  But they did say that they were able to keep them so small due to the color of my skin and the absence of moles, freckles, etc. Tiny tats still were visible.  So the size may depend on your RT and skin tone.

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  • FTell001
    FTell001 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2014

    First of all....it angers me that your therapist would show ANY sort of emotion about your markings! I had the pinpoint tats done but they didn't show up good enough so I was marked with ink. Occasionally they have to redo the markings for better definition but the rad techs that are doing the radiation have never voiced any impatience with doing them. I've also seen people here complain of being cold and also of not being covered during treatment. Tell your techs. They are employees getting paid to do a job. As an RN, I'm very aware of patient's and modesty. Speak up and also, do not concern yourself with the TECH's feelings. You are the one facing this major change in your life.

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  • FTell001
    FTell001 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2014

    YES!!

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  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited February 2014

    I so agree with all the others.  Plus, if you feel cold ask for warm towels on armed.  My techs even put a warm blanket on my feet.  Shame on anyone making you feel responsible.

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  • SLP82
    SLP82 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2014

    Thanks to all of you for supporting me....on Friday, the therapist was not there and I had a different one...same tech was there and apologized profusely for the comments of the therapist the day before and told me not to worry, that he would touch up when needed....and to take care of my skin...feel much better and empowered so that if I have the same therapist again and she gives me any trouble, I will stand up to her.  Practicing so that I can do it as a teaching moment rather than putting her on defensive....

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  • wyo
    wyo Member Posts: 541
    edited February 2014

    Good for you SLP- and if you want to- ask them to give you a surgical skin marker- while not perfect the marks make with that kind of marker (usually purple) hold up pretty well particularly as you are not scrubbing away at your skin. In reading your post closer it seems that one of the two people (you are referring to as the therapist) is the one making these comments while the other person (tech?) also feels uncomfortable about what was said and isn't saying anything to their co-worker? If that is the case- if you have a weekly appt with the RO simply mention that you know many people get tattoos and if you are not going to have them you don't want to be "blamed" if the marks are not visible.  Some people perspire, clothing rubs, all sorts of things could cause a pen mark to not be visible.  Your RO can also provide you with a surgical skin marker

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  • SLP82
    SLP82 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2014

    Thanks WYO.  Therapist back today and was sweet as pie.  I will ask RO on Wednesday about tattoos and surgical markers. 

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