What to expect at simulation and how will I feel afterwards?

I guess i was there 2 hours or so, alot of which time i wasn't doing anything, the tech was moving around, making adjustments, checking this and that. I was placed in positions,arm raised overhead, tattooed, only a tiny blue dot, in 4 different areas, forming a diamond shape. That will make the treatments go super fast, they just have too line up the dots with the beam. The only reason it hurt me is because I had axillary cording after my surgery, had tight bands ,or cords under my arm all the way down my arm.Made it painful to stay in position for a long time. Arm and hand got numb. Other than that, no big deal. I went to the gym after. Btw, the daily treatments are fast, painless, you're on your way in 15 min. I had very little problem with radiation, just "sunburn" and some scabbing, rawness on collarbone where I had extra zaps Good luck! It's not bad

Hi PurpleCat! My mapping appointment was about an hour. My tumor was on the left side, near but not on the chest wall. I had a CT scan face up, with my arms overhead. They made a soft mold to keep my arms in the right position. Then they did the same thing with me face down. They attached a ramp to the CT scan table. It had a spot for my breast to dangle down. The gravity pulled everything away from my chest wall, making it easier to zap just the tumor site. My arms were overhead again, gripping plastic rods. It was awkward climbing on and off, but doable. My arms and shoulders were a little numb and tingly right after, but it went away quickly. I have tattoos front and back. The tech put a drop of ink on my skin, then gave it a quick poke with a sharp thingy (like they use to prick your finger for a blood test). They’re TINY; I have a hard time seeing them even thought I know exactly where they are. The RO said not every facility is set up for face down treatments. I ended up having 15 regular treatments face down, plus 5 boosts face up. I also got my treatment schedule at the mapping appointment. I told the treatment tech that I wanted to get my treatments before work. They were able to accommodate me, with 2 random appointments at other times. CaliKelly is right- the mapping took longer than the actual treatments. The techs were all lovely, and really good about explaining everything. I didn’t find the mapping appointment difficult emotionally at all. I wasn’t working that day, but could easily have gone in if I had to. Good luck!

My tattoos hurt a bit while getting them, but they were quick little pricks and then gone. I drove myself to rad tx, which was 45 min one way. The preparation, "set-up" appt was a non-event and so were the rad txs themselves. As someone else posted above, I used all the creams/ointments given to me by my rad nurse and oncologist, and had just some "sunburn" type marks and that was it. No peeling or any wounds.

After 5 months of chemo it was actually a relief to go for 15 min treatments and then be able to drive home or go do other activities.

Good luck!

Claire in AZ

I found chemo physically hard, and I found radiation mentally hard...

Purple cat, the only thing I'd like to add to the above posts is that the cast that my RO is having made for me is of my back and arms so that I will be in exactly the same position every time I go in. I did have to hold my breath in the cat scan so they could map the beams, but it was for 10 seconds. (My tumor was on the left side) I did feel vulnerable, which I hate, but I like and trust my RO, so it works out. I just so want to be done!

Ksusan, thanks for the info. I guess I'm hoping to get as much behind me as possible in 2018. I also planned a big vacation for March, which was planned a month before I was diagnosed. Hopefully I'll get my port removed before radiation begins.

I love the playlist too!