Markings For Radiation Therapy

I'm not at all happy with this, markings for the radiation therapy.

I'm allergic to inks/dies and adhesives of any kind.

I'm opposed to the markings they want to put on my body for seven weeks and they are also suggesting tattoos but I'm not happy with that alternative either, is there ANY other way to do this without mutilating the patients body any more than it already is??????
I'm so angry and  upset that this HAS to be done and you have no choice in it at all, it's YOUR body for crying out loud  they've advanced  radiation therapy a lot in the many years it's been around,  find something that doesn't mutilate or make the patient feel uncomfortab le

 

On 6/6/2008 charmed1058 wrote:

I'm not at all happy with this, markings for the radiation therapy.

I'm allergic to inks/dies and adhesives of any kind.

I'm opposed to the markings they want to put on my body for seven weeks and they are also suggesting tattoos but I'm not happy with that alternative either, is there ANY other way to do this without mutilating the patients body any more than it already is??????
I'm so angry and  upset that this HAS to be done and you have no choice in it at all, it's YOUR body for crying out loud  they've advanced  radiation therapy a lot in the many years it's been around,  find something that doesn't mutilate or make the patient feel uncomfortab le

Dear Charmed,

The only evidence I have left of radiation to my right breast is a tiny, tiny tattoo dot between my breasts.  There are a few other tattoo dots, but I can no longer find them. My right breast was firm for a few years from the radiation, but has now softened up. Of course, the scars from the lumpectomy and having 13 lymph nodes removed has left me with scars, but they remind me that I have survived.  Perhaps, you are not so angry about the markings or tattoos, but are very afraid and just plain angry at what is happening to you.

I wish you the very best and hope that you have someone close to talk about how you feel.

Best Regards,  Linda Lou

The markings are essential for the radiation people to line you up properly - any other kind of marking would wear off/wash off/move during the course of the 7 weeks time.  And Linda Lou is right, only the dot between my breasts is really visible, and only when I wear a bathing suit or something lower cut.  Look at is a badge of honor for surviving.  With the popularity of tattoos these days, consider it a fashion statement!  Hey, it's better to be alive with a small dot on your chest, than unmarked in a box 6 feet under!  The scars fade, and the radiation markings aren't that big a deal in the larger picture.  I'm not sure about your allergies, but I doubt it's enough dye to really have much effect.  But be sure to mention that - they may have different types of inks that you wouldn't have a reaction to.  Good luck!

Oh, and by the way - you DO have a say in it.  The doctors can only recommend treatment, they can not force it on you.  But take a careful look at the survival statistics with or without treatment before you make a decision.  It is ALWAYS your decision.

The marks for radiation are pinpoint tatoos the size of "pinpoint".  I had 3 two on my hips and one in the lumbar region.  That was 6 months ago and I can barely see them.  And, I didn't feel anything.  The marks assure accuracy which I am sure you want.

you do have a choice. it is your body and it is not the doctors fault that you have a hard time with ink. the alternative is you can not do radiation and risk getting cancer again and maybe die. it is your choice. i did 6 weeks of raidiation after a mastectomy and 6 rounds of chemo. i am here to tell you it can be done. just grin and bear it before you know it it will be over.

After my radiation therapy, mastectomy, reconstructive surgery etc.  The person who tattooed my areola, tattooed over my radiation tattoos with brown to make them look like freckles or beauty marks.  No one would even know that there is blue ink underneath and even if they did, so what, I'm still here and who cares what the other person thinks.  I have a friend who is very sensitive as well.  She had a major reaction to the placement marker left in for her lumpectomy.  She had no problem with the tattoos for radiation.  Best of luck to you and a positive attitude goes a long long way.

Teresa