Doing CT scan / plan / simulation- twice??

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AndreaT
AndreaT Member Posts: 14

Had the scan & plan (and tattooing done) on 2/26, then came back on 3/5 to do the simulation. It took an hour, lots of adjusting. Had rads 3/6 and 3/7, then when I went in today, doc said that we'll be doing the CT scan and plan OVER again on 3/12- !

Have any of you ladies ever had that happen to you? Trying not to be worried, but doc and RTs just say, it's not your fault, we just want it to go smoother.

Thanks!

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited March 2018

    That does sound odd. When I was having radiation I saw the techs four days a week and then saw the radiation oncologist every Weds. I'd definitely bring it up if I were you, even if it requires making a special appointment. All i can hypothesize is that they're trying to get the radiation "beams" further from your lungs or heart, which would be a good thing.

  • Veeder14
    Veeder14 Member Posts: 880
    edited March 2018

    I would call and ask them to explain why. If they are taking your heart and lungs out of the beam, then that's good. I would ask if that means starting over and whether the first two treatments counted. Let us know.

  • AndreaT
    AndreaT Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2018

    Thanks, ladies- I will definitely follow up on those items when I go in on Monday. The process takes awhile, so there should be plenty of time to ask.

  • lovepugs77
    lovepugs77 Member Posts: 296
    edited March 2018

    Andrea, my plan was redone twice. The first time it was because they were having a horrible time positioning me each day. Some days I was on the table for an hour. It turns out I was tense during the first planning session, so my shoulders were hunched a little. Once I wasn’t nervous about the treatments, I couldn’t get my shoulders quite right. After they did the new plan my sessions went much smoother. I was in and out in about 20 minutes each day, and I had a complicated setup ( both breasts and the supraclavicular nodes were radiated). Then they called one day and asked if I could come in early because my mold had a little leak and it would take longer to get me positioned. They never did get it quite right, so instead of a treatment that day, we did another CT and plan.

  • Katiejane777
    Katiejane777 Member Posts: 109
    edited March 2018

    My daughter is a Radiation Therapist and she says it can happen. If you are tense during planning, if you lose weight or just so they can get it exactly right. Definately ask for an explaination but don’t panic. It is probably just so they can get it right.

  • Veeder14
    Veeder14 Member Posts: 880
    edited March 2018

    s


    3/8/18. Was up at 5 am to drive to the hospital. I met with the doctor who reviewed the CT scan from the simulation. Being face down takes my lungs and my heart (except a small edge) out the beam, and the scar and seroma where the lymph nodes were removed. The first four ribs are in the beam though. The doctor had a chart showing the percentage of radiation scatter to the heart, lungs, and spinal cord ~very little according to his study. It still seems risky treating something that may or may not be there. UGH.

    First they did xrays which seemed like it took forever, then these were 1mm off so had to be done again. I was prone and the pain on my unaffected side was horrible as I was resting on my breast bone against the hard surface, and my neck, shoulder, shoulder blade on that side were cramping up. After the first set of xrays they re positioned me and the pain was a little bit better but not much. After the doctor ok'd everything they did the treatment which only took about 4 minutes (2 minutes on each side). One thing I didn't anticipate was that the staff pull and push you until you're in the correct position. My back and neck didn't take well to that. I'm going to speak with the techs tomorrow and ask them to tell me before they pull and push so I can be ready. Also, my face was in a headrest like for massage with a plate covering it (some physical protection from the beam), and I couldn't see to the floor so got a little claustrophobic. Also, got marked up with a black marker and tegraderm over it, so it's easier to put me in position, and regular treatments should be shorter.

    Anyways, then went to my nurse appointment at primary care for a shot of Toradol. They only gave me a half dose but it has definitely helped. I'll have to get more of the medication maybe half way through the month or my back/neck will never make it. I can feel that my shoulder blade is out of alignment which is pulling on my neck. Scheduled for PT/OT alternating on Fridays when we return from the week at the hotel and come home.

    I was instructed to get soap without scent that's easy on the skin. I bought Pure-Castile Bar Soap-Baby Unscented, Dr. Bronners. Has anyone used this type of soap. Also, got a list of lotions to use 4x/day or I can use coconut oil. It seems like I will need some old shirts to wear or else the lotions and oils will ruin my clothes and pj's. That was my day. I hope some of this info helps others.

    I posted this yesterday but I don't think anyone saw it. Don't know how to take off the bold print. Sorry.
  • AndreaT
    AndreaT Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2018

    Thanks for the info, Lovepugs, Katie Jane & Veeder- that helps to know I'm not the only one.

    I've been told several times that it's being redone just to make sure it's more precise. When things were redone today, not sure if I was tense this time or last, but they redid the mold which I hope helped. I also tried to memorize where my arms and hands were positioned in the mold; before, getting into the mold never felt the same as the planning session. The good news was that I didn't have to be re-tattooed!

    Sorry it's been painful for you, Veeder. My hands and arms get numb and my neck and shoulder start to ache, but as soon as I can move, that goes away. I'm face up, so don't know if that makes a difference. If one of the lotions on your list is calendula cream, check Amazon. I almost bought it at Walgreens but it was $12.49 for a 2.5 oz tube, and $5.99 at Amazon. It is listed as an add-on item, but I can get enough other items to add the calendula cream with no trouble at all. ; )

    Best wishes on your treatments, all!

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