Hi There,

I had done a fair bit of reading up about the various treatments BEFORE I had to have them. I found out about the tattoos from a website. At no point was I ever told before my actual simulation day that tattoos were something I would maybe have to have. This made me very angry indeed. It seemed to me that the entire story was being 'hidden' until right up to the point that it was needed to be explained and as both you ladies have said, by the time that time comes, you are too frail, exhausted and uninformed to argue a case against these tattoos. 

I am glad that I had the time to research my stuff before going in. When I said I would not be having tattoos, I was told that it might be difficult and it was certainly against THEIR advice. When I questioned further about what dangers would be involved in NOT having them, this question could not be answered. It is purely to do with making life easier for them. And that in my mind is simply not good enough reason to mark my body with ink.

These tattoos are  a reminder of what we have had to go through and I for one don't want any visual reminder. I want to move on after this treatment, forget about it and enjoy a normal life. I am so sorry you ladies have had to have these marks put on you. I hope you can have them removed. Keep insisting on having the treatment to have them taken away. 

Hi Dolly

I was told in advance of treatment that they would tattoo me in three places and that this was done to ensure they target the correct spot. I was again informed of this when I went for my pre scan before treatment and again asked if this was ok.  I admit I was not offered an alternative but I felt that I was informed all the way.

Its so awful that not everyone has the same experience as attitudes vary so much from hospitals.

Having had pelvic radiation the tattoos are not obvious and also having freckles they are not noticable so in that way they dont worry me but I can understand how some of you are feeling.

River,

The correct spot can be targeted without a permanent ink mark though. Some hospitals I believe are even starting to use henna as that marks the skin for about 5 weeks until it starts to fade. 

My radiographer today admitted that it was mostly about time and getting us in and out as quickly as possible. 

At this point should I even shock you to the fact  ON THE DAY ! of my planned RT  they rang whilst on the way to the hosp about hour or more away that sorry but they decided that as i was a left hand breast cancer ( as i was from day one might i add) that they decided to offer me the Breath hold one. ON THE DAY. and there would be a delay in start, i foolishly said its ok we can go off shopping mum and I and then they dropped the bomb shell another 4 weeks wait. so 4 weeks after surgery for a lumpectomy and another 4 week delay. This has now resulted in family arugments with my sister and out planned holiday with my mum and her and my kids and as a result as she would not be patient for me to get over the RT just today they land in EGYPT ! without me and the kids. I am quite p *** off my mum agreed to it actually, initially she said she would go with my sis and then with me but reality is she cant do 2 abroad holidays within 3 weeks of each other so guess who has to wait now till bloody next year another 5 months !! I am annoyed with RT planning and the Onc as they had months to prepare all this and changed their mind last min.

I supose I should be greatful that i had the breath hold one, even thou it was quite stressful i will admit. But my heart was out of the treatment field so I should be grateful even though they said my LUNGS was clipped by radiation but they will be fine ! Really ??

Suzie

( soz ladies in a bad mood no sleep dental pain which im now reading up on and find that taking Tamoxifen can cause your teeth to rot and some women reported in having dentures at 55 im 45 now and this tooth ache from a simple filling is unbarable. on antibiotics or he said take it out, i was like NO way  not another tooth out at the back. feel like getting a 2nd opinion I think he hit a nerve he wont admit that though)

I asked if they did this method in my hospital, their answer was no. So it seems fine that my heart and lungs will get damaged by radioactivity because they don't use this method. 

Suzie what does it mean if your lung is clipped by it? Will it lead to terrible problems?

It is quite new there was about 5 or 6 machines for RT in this hosp and 2 did the breath hold. It did not seem any different from a regualr one except for the fact it has a little box to monitor your breathing ( like a sat nav box) on an arm which has your pre measured breath hold level programed into it.

When I explained to my friends and family how scared I was about the RT side effects I said put it this way, if I said go into that room and get that suitcase full of money oh by the way its a radioactive room you would be like Hell no. Even though the RT over now I am stil struggling with what have I done to myself. feel the same about taking drugs for 10 years to get rid of one thing and potentially creating another...  Early days for me 4 weeks out of treatment, I am still struggling with the future.

When they said the lung was clipped it means some of them was in the trreatment field. But they said not to worry lungs repair themself. Not sure about that....

Hmmmm. I guess we have no option but to do some things. I am like you and hate the idea of taking pills for the next ten years, but I am heavily led by hormones in this thing and so will have to take them. I have had days when I have been ready to throw the towel in completely. I am a big believer that these medicines are NOT good. Yes they are killing cancer but also other things too. Tamoxifen petrifies me. How old are you Suzie? Have you read the SOFT trial results?

D