Fast FAQS: Radiation

Believe it or not, they didn't have iPods back in the day - and I didn't like any of their music choices, thus counting the holes in the ceiling tiles. Not sure if you can bring an iPod, though don't see why not if it stays up around your head and doesn't interfere with anything - though it might be awkward as they're tugging you around and you've got your arm over your head. If you have any tendency towards being cold, bring some sleeves - not the thrtleneck, just the cut-off sleeves to wear. Tattoos: yup, gotta do it. Though they might have some alternative for women whose religion doesn't allow them to have tattoos, not sure... doesn't hurt to ask, right? PJH

I didn't get tattoos.  They had a machine that they could program to my particular spot and it took a long time for them to get it set that first day.  They had to make sure it hit the spot but bypassed my lungs and heart.  The plugged in a lot of numbers and got it set and programmed just for me.  So everyday that I came in they just plugged in my numbers and it went to the right position.  That was 12 years ago and Im still fine.  

I forgot to say that they did use permanent marker on me and refreshed it when it needed.  I see no reason for the tattoos.

They used permanent markers on me and tattoos.  The tattoos really are just tiny dots; the markers created a map of varied colors all over my chest.  Because of the extensive cancer in my lymph nodes, I was getting more than one treatment each session, so I guess they needed more than one set of lines.  I had to be very careful not to wash off the marker lines, and they refreshed them from time to time.  It might be possible for your radiation techs to use permanent marker on you.  They might be reluctant because getting those dots in exactly the right place is critical to delivering the radiation accurately.  As PJ says, it doesn't hurt to ask.

    In 1990 I had a lumpectomy on my left breast at age 43, as well as chemo and radiation at the same time. At the time the chemo seemed like the worst part of the treatment but radiation is sneeky! I didn't have tattoos, just a square drawn with purple perminent marker. The radiation wasn't painful, but it made me really weak. The time it took for the actual treatment did not seem long at all, especially since I was having chemo on a lot of the same days, which took hours. I had radiation burns at one point which stopped treatment until the burns healed and I also had a fractured rib, which I was told happens in 1 percent of cases. The part I disliked most was that the tissue in the radiated area became very dark and hard which never went away, and it made my breast shrink. The thing that I didn't realize-either I wasn't told at the time or didn't understand, is that any injury on radiated skin does not heal-ever. I had a staple hole in that area that never healed in 19 years.

     In 2006, 19 years later at age 58, I had a new cancer-not a recurance. It was a large tumor under my right arm and another small cancer in my left breast. This time I had a double mastestomy, which was complicated by the fact that the tissue site of the old radiation could never heal. My surgeon had a plastic surgeon in surgery to close the incisions, using a flap of skin and muscle from my back on the left side. The flap was as large as possible, still it didn't cover the hole where my left breast used to be. The area below the flap would not heal, even with hyperbaric treatments-which I really hated! The old, burnt skin died and had to be removed and covered with skin grafts, which finally healed. I also had chemo again, which is when I used my ipod. I opted for reconstruction in 2006, which didn't work out as well as I hoped. My left side is about an A cup, which is simply muscle from my back. That side cannot be operated on again for an implant because of the radiation of 1990. My right side has the smallest implant available, which is still larger than the left side. I can't wear a bra because of the scaring and skin grafts on my left side-it hurts. As a result, I hate radiation. Maybe the more modern treatment is better. Nothing about cancer was fun, but if you have a positive attitude and the love, prayers and support of family and friends, you can make it! I made a CD of my favorite Christian rock songs and asked my surgeons to play it during my surgery-which took 6 hours. I'd heard that music helped you heal faster. I was told that I would be "out of it" all day, but I was awake and alert shortly after returning from the recovery room. One bit of advise: when under the affects of strong pain medication, don't tell one of your children she is your favorite!

    As it stands now, I've been cured of cancer twice. I'm very blessed. In 1990 we had 6 children, ages 3 to 17 and we were expecting our first grandson. Now all of our children are grown and we have 15 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. I hate cancer, but I'm not scared of it.

Thanks so much for sharing your story here. Yes, life DOES go on - and we go with it. PJH

I really had to look hard to see my tattoos at the time; and now, I can't even find them. Time heals; tattoos fade. I had a mastectomy but still had radiation to my armpit due to lymph node involvement - and many women with a mastectomy still have radiation due to size or aggressiveness of tumor, and possible chest wall or skin involvement. So there are LOTS of us out there having radiation. Best of luck, Laura - I trust the techs and your radiation oncologist will work with you on any issues that pop up. Or maybe you'll be like me - smooth sailing all the way. Fingers crossed! PJH

The radiation does affect your skin and you may even have burns from it.  I got pretty badly burned and my skin was tough looked like an orange peel for a couple of years after but now is soft and normal.  Radiation is tough, don't let anyone fool you but it is affective.  I really got close to the women that helped me and it is quite a little community.  It gets old going everyday, I had 31 treatments.  However, after 12 years I still think about the women there, I remember how sweet they were to me, and I wonder how they are doing.  It has its negatives but the positives far outweigh. 

Thank you for your honesty about radiation.  I am glad to hear that most have no effects from it; however, I did.  I had Stage 1 Grade 3 and 6 lymphnoides removed.  Anyways, the inking wasn't bad under the armpit but the one in between the check wasn't pleasant.  Anytime you hear "it's may be uncomfotable" brace yourself.  As for Radiation, I got severe burn in my 3rd week and had to have a burn specialist come in my 5th week to see if I could continue, which I choose to because I didn't want to have to go through it all again.  You can't miss any appointments.  I had to lay in bed with my breast gooped up with burn cream.  By the time I was done, I couldn't move for weeks.  It took a few weeks before I could even put a shirt on.  My breast became hard as a rock and my nipple was no different.  It was not pleasant.  I am proud to say I am a survivor but the radiation also messes with your immune system, repredective and thyroid.  If I had to do it again , I would but I would want to know the truth and I feel that I wasn't given every detail.  They don't want to scare you but it's better then dying now isn't it!  Note, this is an unusal case and it doesn't happen as often as I experienced. 

Blessing and light to all who are dealing with this now.

Thank you for your honesty about radiation.  I am glad to hear that most have no effects from it; however, I did.  I had Stage 1 Grade 3 and 6 lymphnoides removed.  Anyways, the inking wasn't bad under the armpit but the one in between the check wasn't pleasant.  Anytime you hear "it's may be uncomfotable" brace yourself.  As for Radiation, I got severe burn in my 3rd week and had to have a burn specialist come in my 5th week to see if I could continue, which I choose to because I didn't want to have to go through it all again.  You can't miss any appointments.  I had to lay in bed with my breast gooped up with burn cream.  By the time I was done, I couldn't move for weeks.  It took a few weeks before I could even put a shirt on.  My breast became hard as a rock and my nipple was no different.  It was not pleasant.  I am proud to say I am a survivor but the radiation also messes with your immune system, repredective and thyroid.  If I had to do it again , I would but I would want to know the truth and I feel that I wasn't given every detail.  They don't want to scare you but it's better then dying now isn't it!  Note, this is an unusal case and it doesn't happen as often as I experienced. 

Blessing and light to all who are dealing with this now.