RO never examines breast at weekly appt

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Frankenfinger08
Frankenfinger08 Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I find this very odd.  I see him once a week and not once has he actually looked at my breast to see how the skin is holding up.  I saw him today and I talked to him about 3 mins, he told me I was in the home stretch (7 more treatments left) and that was that.  

Last week I was having extremely sore nipples, especially my other breast that isn't being treated.  I was a little concerned but he had no response.  The pain did go away when my period started but I guess I expected more from him.

My question is, does your RO actually examine you?  I feel like I'm wasting my time with him, tbh.

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  • Lojo
    Lojo Member Posts: 303
    edited March 2014

    Hi,

    Yes, my RO examines my chest (no boob left) and asks about how my skin feels. I'm relatively early in the process, but she checked at the first two weekly appointments. You can always rip open your gown and force the issue .... :) I'd say something like, "I'm having some soreness, can you take a look to see if this is a normal reaction?". Is the nurse taking a look? It might be the nurse reports to the doctor. I'd be concerned if it's just the techs who are seeing your skin. If the nurse is, s/he might be reporting any concerns to the RO.

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited March 2014

    My RO met with me 1Xweek.  I opened my robe, flashed him my boobies and that was it.  He never touched me.  My appt was also about 3 minutes.  I do have to say that I was doing well during radiation....had I had problems, I would have been more insistent on his time and attention.   Seems weird that he doesn't even look at your skin since proper care of the skin is so important during radiation....but if you are doing well, be grateful for that.  

    MsP

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  • Frankenfinger08
    Frankenfinger08 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2014

    Not even the nurse examines me.  After my rad treatment, they tell me to get dressed again and wait in the waiting room.  I've never been told to disrobe and put on a gown for the RO and all the nurse does is take my weight and ask me a few questions.

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

    My weekly appt with Rads Dr was immediately before that day's rads.  So went in got my 'Super Woman cape' out of my locker put it on and my terry cloth robe like daily and saw him before I went back to rads.  I don't really remember if he did physically 'feel' my mast. area or not but he did visually check it.

    The rad techs did a  very good job of checking skin before each rads.  

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  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited March 2014

    The rad onc should visually check the skin on and under the breast at each weekly visit as part of monitoring skin condition. Since skin is the issue physically examining the breast is not usually necessary during treatment, just at the initial consult, if there are particular problems during treatment, and during follow-up visits after treatment is done.

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  • Nettie1964
    Nettie1964 Member Posts: 759
    edited March 2014

    My RO checked me once a week, most times I insisted that he come see me in the treatment room so that I didn't have to wait!  He was gracious enough to do this and yes he checked me out each time!  Once even noticing a "bit" of moisture under the treated boob and told me to be very diligent with putting my baby cornstarch powder there frequently!!  I never felt rushed and yes on all other days, the techs checked me out before giving the treatment!  I sailed right through with no troubles!

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  • LeanneF
    LeanneF Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2014

    I may be crazy, but I'm planning on making a business trip to Germany 5 days after my last of 33 treatments. My travel has been on hold long enough. Am I crazy to think I can handle this? I'm only 14 treatments in and have pink skin and a rash, but feeling pretty good. The RO gave me the worst case scenario spiel, but said he could tell I was going anyway. Any tips from those of you who are finished on how to stay comfortable in flight? 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2014

    I am in treatment now, and I was told they will routinely check my skin three times. Visit 10 (which I just had), visit 20 and visit 25. They also said if I have any concerns, they will see me anytime daily, after each treatment.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited March 2014

    I have not even seen my RO yet and I just finished #13/25.  I meet with the nurse and if there are no issues raised by me, then nothing happens.  Waste of my time.  Why don't they just let me ask for help when I need it.  If I had an issue, then the dr would see me.  They assume I will know when I have an issue I guess.  Same for me post mx.  Never ever saw a dr.  Only the nurse to remove the drain.  Good thing I am so educated by all the women on these threads!

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  • Frankenfinger08
    Frankenfinger08 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2014

    Well I had my last rad treatment yesterday and ironically at my last RO appt, the dr. asked me if I wanted him to take a look at my breast.  I told him "no" as it seemed rather pointless.  Luckily my skin did amazingly well burning rads, with only some peeling during the boosts.  I moisturized very rarely, to be honest, and only when my skin really needed it.

    I'm on to tamoxifen now and took my first pill this am.  Hopefully the SEs won't be terrible.

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