Anyone else refuse the tattoo? How did you keep the mark?

Hi Penner, welcome! I can give you my thoughts on the tattoo...I wasn't really crazy about it at first, I thought good grief, I have to have a mastectomy,isn't that enough? Do I really want tattoos to be a reminder too? But I have an aggressive diagnosis, and knew I needed to fight hard, to fight the cancer, not the cure. I was so glad I got the tiny tiny dots...my skin became very crispy by the end of rads, and I did not need or want to be fooling around with tape or markers. I wanted to slather up when I could, to get relief. And honestly I NEVER notice the dots. I have to look for them to see if they are still there. And when I do see them, they make me smile. They make me feel strong Believe it or not, there will be a day come when cancer, and treatments, are not the first thing you think of in the morning, or think of at all that day. And those dots say to me, "I did this!" So, that is my opinion, that they are good, make Rads easy, and we need easy. And we need to let the professionals do their job, to make us well. I hope you get other input, and I really hope you do well in rads. Hang in there!

I got tattoos and they are tiny. The nurses still marked me up with Sharpies and told me to try not to shower off the marks.

I deeply regret allowing them to do tatoos. First they lied about the number. Said it would 4 total. It was 6. Said it would be black ink. They are navy blue. Said they would just look like freckles. Who has blue freckles? I asked , can't you just use a sharpie? Oh no, they said. We have to tatoo you. Then guess what? They mark you up with a sharpie EVERY stinking day!!! It hurt like hell each time the tech poked me for the tats. That night it felt like someone had kicked me in the chest. About a year later when I had my second mastectomy I had my surgeon use a punch to remove the tat below my neck. It showed in most clothing. I couldn't stand seeing that reminder every day.

I refused the tattoos. They marked me with pens and put tape on it. They made a temp plate so that when the tape and / or markings washed off they used the temp plate and marked again. Worked fine for 28 days of radiation. I did try to be careful when washing, but it was just fine.

It's really interesting seeing the different feelings on here. I was expecting tattoos, and when I got sharpie'd/taped up at simulation, I was just so stressed to have to care for it. I feel like I wish I'd gotten the tattoos, but the grass is always greener, right? I just finished 9 of 22 and I don't have any real skin irritation yet, except for some itching where one of the tapes is. They have told me not to put creams on the marker or tapes, so those spots are going to be neglected until after I'm done. I think I have 8 or 9 taped over marks, and they add extra marker every time. Super sexy. hang in there everyone!

A word of caution for removing Sharpie ink, when it's time for it to come off. Use baby oil, or some other very oily substance, to gently rub into the ink and then gently wipe it off. Don't scrub, don't use a washcloth or a pouf. The radiated skin can break down very easily with rough handling and turn into an open, oozing radiation wound that can take months to heal.

I think it depends on your doc. I have 3 tiny dots that really aren't visible. Most of the marking were with stick ons and sharpies. They lasted several days before they had to re-draw if you only wash below the waist. Or if you cover your top 1/2 with Glad Press N Seal.

Mamasha, Penner's point is important; it's YOUR body. If you don't want tattoos, stand your ground. I was prepared to tell my RO that I had religious objections but, fortunately, she was cooperative. Her assistant wasn't very happy about it but the techs were the ones dealing with positioning every day and they were supportive of my decision.

Re: caring for the stickers, etc. - I showered every day and had no trouble keeping either the marks or the stickies. I didn't let much water hit that area directly but I never used coverings, either, and did fine.

I wasn't even offered tattoos so I don't think my RO uses them. They don't seem concerned about me showering like normal or using products right over the top of the marks/tape. The radiation therapist was sure to tell me that it wasn't a big deal to lose one. She'd just replace it. I'm having both sides radiated so I am marked up like a tic-tac-toe board. I just counted: 15 marks with 15 little round clear tapes over the top. Maybe that will make some of you feel better!

That's good news, Mamasha! I'm glad your RO was cooperative. (Mine gave me that line about future reference, too, but didn't push it. Personally, I don't buy it; what are the chances that we'll have radiation to the same side of our chest twice? Besides which, the imaging records are so detailed that I suspect the tattoos are just an old habit that's never been discarded.)

No, Laura, in general it's very unusual to radiate the same area twice. I suspect that what the ROs are actually thinking is that in the event that they needed to radiate another area of the chest they would be able to plan the treatment field to avoid those areas previously treated.

Ah.  Leveraging the tattoos to know what area NOT to radiate in the future.  Got it.  Thank you, Hopeful.

I got my ct and stickers today. So glad that I didn't tattoo. One of the spots is right above where my cleavage would start. Not that I wear anything low cut but even a bathing suit would be tough going forward. My tumor was at the 1:00 position so nice and high.