quick update, hospital rang today, got to go 16th april re radiotherapy, they said bank on at least a couple of hours for visit, have to go in scanner for approx 30 minutes, is this for just breast area, or do they scan whole body ??? then other tests and then see consultants, what does this entail??? quite pleased they rang straight away instead of having to wait all week,
FormerMember
hi vivien when i had my radio they just scanned the breast area its to line up for the markers to go they put three small tattoo's on you which they blast in between [think thats correct] the tattoo's are perminant but not very big more of a pin prick . you see the consultant to make sure skin is in good condition etc he/she asks you to sign consent form for tattoo's & treatment i also had a consultation with the radiotherapist they go through what is going to happen &they give you aquesous cream to rub in the area mine told me to do it a few days before as well to help prepare the skin i did & didn't have any problems just a bit red like sunburn . hope this helps love n hugs theresa xxx
Treeze is right - it's all quite simple and painless. The tattoos are just a tiny dot so it's no good asking them to add a rose or 'I love Gordon Brown' (as if!). The scanner is a bit like a doughnut shape so you aren't all closed in and left for hours or anything scary. The consent forms look a bit daunting because they have to tell you all the possible side effects including things like, if the radiotherapy is on your left side it might affect your heart. My radiography consultant said that years ago this was the case but now machines and techniques have improved so much it is highly unlikely to happen.
Slap on the aqueous cream to protect your skin and the very best of luck with your treatment.
The linear accelerator (the LINAC ) is positioned to within 0.2 of a millimetre which is pretty accurate stuff so they do need reference marks to be correct. Once they have got the marks and the scan results a radiographer plots the movement of the LINAC so they can program it to do the best job possible. I had a five shot series of radiation every time I went - twenty five days in all. The first few times they reprogrammed after every shot but when they go more familiar with me ( and my backside) they just set the LINAC up and away it went. The hardest part for me was Take That on the CD once but I did get over it.
i agree with all your other responses,they have to mark you up for accuracey, and the tattos are tiny no one will notice them, good luck with it all. liz xxx
