What Should I Expect During Radiation Treatment?

I will start soon. How do they do tatoo

Tattoo

They inject little circles under the skin that will glow so the machine will pick it up that's all I no don't no what to expect from the radiation kinda scared but good luck to you

Breathe in and breathe out

They did not do tattoos on me. They marked my skin with felt markers. They asked me about my favorite music and had that on in the background every time I came in. I was told that my skin would be like I was sunburned because I have very pale skin. I did not experience any problem with red skins. I currently have no evidence of disease. I was originally diagnosed with oligometastatic breast cancer. It has been over 5 years since my diagnosis.

I did 5 weeks of radiation. The last week I had to take a break as my skin was badly burnt. Other than that I had no discomfort.

Did you use medicated cream on your skin

The “tattoos” were painless. They just used a pen-like instrument and, in my case, made three little marks to help line up the machine for the treatments. The actual radiation procedure was not uncomfortable at all. I do have vertigo which sometimes hit when I sat up when the treatment was over. At the nurse’s recommendation, they started getting me upright slower and focus before going back to the dressing room and that took care of it. I had 25 treatments (5 weeks, M-F). I faithfully used Jeans Cream (ordered from Amazon) or Cera’ve after my treatment and at night (has to washed off before treatments). I ended up with just a slight reddening and a little pain from that - like a sunburn. I did not have any blistering or peeling at all. Just had my three month follow up skin check. The radiology oncologist was very pleased with my skin condition and said to keep using the cream daily and return in 6 months.  Good luck to all of you. The hardest part was holding still, but I got where I would partially doze and got to recognize the sounds and knew when the treatment was just about over.

Thank you they keep telling me it's going to get worse I've had 10 radiation treatments 23 to go

Donna, they told me that as well. I did get a bit more “sunburned” as I went, but it helps to faithfully keep moisturized. Jeans Cream is a bit high priced (Amazon) but definitely worth it or Cere’ve as an alternative. I did have some burn cream Silvadene, I think, but my skin was too sensitive to it. The Jeans Cream applied more often worked the best.

DIC BREAST 1 B in the process for 25 treatments 200 whatever it’s called up to 5000. Treatment for me last only 15 minutes very easy to do going in early and I’m done by 7:39 in the morning in my car to go home. Thus far no noted side effects. The tattoo was just a stick on type thing. They put two on me and after about four hours, I was supposed to take it off and I forgot so I’ve got a pretty bright tattoo. Yes, they did the glow in the dark under the skin also, three pin the one that bothered me the most was in the sensitive area on your side. Compared to chemo this seems like a breeze. I have learned that which I cannot control and that which I don’t understand, I fear the most. So I don’t try to control it and I have no fear about it at this time.

Starting radiation can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to expect can help ease some of those worries. The radiation team will guide you through each step, from the initial planning sessions to the daily treatments, and many patients find the process becomes routine once they get started. Consider connecting with others in this community who have been through radiation - their experiences and tips can be incredibly valuable as you begin this part of your treatment journey.