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Radiotherapy positioning problems

2020allie
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Hello 

i am 8 sessions into radiotherapy for breast cancer . All went well for the first 6 sessions with little set up issues however the last two sessions have not gone well at all. I am really struggling to get into the correct position and I don't understand why and what is causing this change. It is really effecting me emotionally and I am now worrying about future sessions 

Just wondered if this has happened to anyone else and is it likely to carry on for the rest of my treatment and any advice that might help 

thanks in advance 

Allie 

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    I think the key thing is to try to just let yourself go 'floppy'. The radiotherapy nurses are so good at getting you in the correct position but can only do that if you hand over the control to them. So, just try to relax more if you can and let them do it for you. Good luck x

  • Hi Allie and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear about how positioning yourself during radiotherapy is affecting you and getting you down. Do talk to the radiotherapy nurses about this so they can also suggest ways to help with this so you can continue without it worrying you.

    Do take a look at our radiotherapy web page here if you haven't already.

    Hopefully some other people who have gone through similar treatment to you will also chip in with some suggestions for you as well.

    Please get back in touch if you need to and you are always welcome to call the nurse helpline on 0808 800 4040 Mon-Fri 9-5 and talk things through.

    Wishing you all the best with the rest of your treatment

    Take care

    Naomi

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Naomi

    Hi,

     

    I am a Theapy Radiographer (we are not nurses) and treat patients like yourself on a daily basis.
     

    Please try not to worry, we work in milimeters and will not leave the room until all of your tattoos are perfectly aligned. We also check your breast contour using the light on the head of the machine to check coverage as well as taking X-ray images to make sure everything is matching internally. Try and relax as best as you can and let them move you (sometimes if you try to help it goes too far in the opposite direction). Ask the radiographers if it happens again, hopefully they can explain and reassure you. 
     

    Hope the rest of your treatment goes well, happy to answer any questions. 

    Catherine x
     

     

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