CT Planner scan

Hi, I had my scan last week and it was a lot easier than I thought. Most of the time was spent positioning me and placing stickers on me. Actual time having the scan was 5 minutes max and it’s just like a ring over you. 
Tattoos done and then off home, all done within 15 minutes. 
Hope all goes well for you 

Hi Julie Too, when I had my planner scan it was just a donut style scanner and they only did the very top area they do t go all the way down. I was in the machine about 5mins. They ask you to hold your breath a couple of times too depending on the side that’s being treated later with the radiotherapy. Mine was left so I practiced my breath holding. It’s only for 20 seconds so not long and they count pretty quick too. The radiotherapy machine that I had was open style and just went around me and it wasn’t enclosed at all. Throughout the whole of the planning session they are talking to you too. 
Wishing you all the best

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi Julie Too , another (hopefully) bit of reassurance from me, as Danie has said, most of the time is spent getting you in exactly the right position and adjusting stuff (including adjusting you so there’s a bit of ‘handling’! But the machine doesn’t enclose you and the actual scan is quick. Re the breath holding, I had this too as it was my left side, but don’t worry about it as they have ways round it if you can’t do it for any reason. And it’s only for left side cancers. It’s another thing to tick off once it’s done and another step nearer to getting radiotherapy over and done with! Good luck with it all, I can’t believe that 5 years ago I was waiting for confirmation of my radiotherapy dates, which started on 2nd January (I think!). Love and hugs, HFxx

I'm scared of scans.

Do you always have to have CT scan before radiotherapy?

Hi Jax007, yes. They need to take various measurements and plan where the radiotherapy needs to be targeted for you. It’s always done per individual and what’s right for you will not be right for someone else. The measurements are precise to the mm as they don’t want to treat areas not needed. The scanner is like a donut so you are not enclosed. It’s not noisy either. I just laid there with my eyes closed and then I decided I wanted to see what’s going on so I watched. It was all done in a matter of minutes. I asked my radiotherapist if I could see me scan and what had been worked out for me. It was fascinating. It looks like a weather contour map with lots of different colours showing what strength is for which area and how it reduces as it goes through. 
There no need to be scared, it doesn’t hurt, it’s quick and easy and the scanner staff are fantastic and will explain everything to you. 
Wishing you all the best 

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Oh thank you Cuffcake. Thank you so much for explaining.

 I'm post mastectomy and 2/3 way through chemo xx

 hope you are doing well

oh sounds better than  I expected thanks. I was told they dont do tattoos at my hospital anymore, so not sure maybe just take co ordinates ..!!

thankyou for reply, mine is right side  so dont think need hold breath, I have not started letzarole yet .still recovering from surgery almost 2 months ago but fybromyalgia and IBS gone into hyper mode. Am hoping Radiotherapy does not hit me too hard .

Hi Julie Too -  there is always a concern about the unknown but as everyone has said, it is painless.  If it transpires you do need 'tattoos' at the planning apt, they are tiny, no more than any vaccination jab (me and needles do not get on!) and I hardly knew it had happened.  The radiologists I had were brilliant and reassuring the whole time - they just ask you not to chat whilst they do the measurement.  I was in and out in 20 minutes.  You will be ok, try to be good to yourself and not think about it too much, which I know is not easy xx