Radiation Appointment
Hi Ladies so I had my app with radiation oncologist yesterday who talked me through my treatment plan. Tomorrow I have an app at the radiation clinic with the staff there. Was just wondering what happ...
Forum Discussion
igray3911
Before the measurements etc, I had an appointment with the head Nurse in the clinic, she explained what would be done, my appointments for radiation, how my schedule would be given to me, the facilities in the clinic, what to expect with my skin and how it would be treated and gave me a folder with information. I then had to change into a gown and went into the first room with a technician, had some measurements done and lay on a bean bag thing while she got me into the position required for my treatment.
This required my arms to be above my head holding onto a sort of handle she made in the beanbag. As I was only two weeks post mastectomy, this was not comfortable, but I had taken some Panadol prior as recommended by the Radiation Oncologist, so it could have been worse.
Once she was happy that I was in the right position, she sucked all the air out of the beanbag, molding it around me as the air came out. This was now mine for the duration of treatment.
Once that was done I got dressed again as they use PRP next door for the CT scans.
I got changed again into a gown and I went into the CT scan room for a CT scan, on the CT table, on my beanbag and in the position I was to be in for radiation.
This took quite some time as two technicians did a lot of measurements, and marked up my skin all over my chest. My shoulder was not comfortable.
Once the markings were done I was taken back and forth into the CT machine a few times.
My machine was a tunnel type with a smallish opening.
I should have taken tranquillisers before my appointment. I am claustrophobic.
The tranquillisers may have helped my shoulder pain too.
Once they were happy with the measurements I was given four tiny tattoos.
They were done with a little drawing pin type things dipped in an ink type stuff.
They stung a bit, but only briefly.
I then was finished, got dressed and waited for the technician. She told me I would be contacted busy phone by the planning department with my initial appointment day and from there I would get my first fortnight schedule.
She asked did I have a preferred time of day and a few other questions, and I was free to go home.
It took approx one and three quarter hours.
I was with a private Radiation Clinic so I also had a discussion with the manager about payment and the schedule of billing.
It may be a different experience at a public hospital Radiation clinic.
I found everyone very supportive, concerned for my comfort and emotional state and as helpful as they could be while doing what they had to do.
I hope you have a good experience with it, it is rather confronting,
Jennie
Before the measurements etc, I had an appointment with the head Nurse in the clinic, she explained what would be done, my appointments for radiation, how my schedule would be given to me, the facilities in the clinic, what to expect with my skin and how it would be treated and gave me a folder with information. I then had to change into a gown and went into the first room with a technician, had some measurements done and lay on a bean bag thing while she got me into the position required for my treatment.
This required my arms to be above my head holding onto a sort of handle she made in the beanbag. As I was only two weeks post mastectomy, this was not comfortable, but I had taken some Panadol prior as recommended by the Radiation Oncologist, so it could have been worse.
Once she was happy that I was in the right position, she sucked all the air out of the beanbag, molding it around me as the air came out. This was now mine for the duration of treatment.
Once that was done I got dressed again as they use PRP next door for the CT scans.
I got changed again into a gown and I went into the CT scan room for a CT scan, on the CT table, on my beanbag and in the position I was to be in for radiation.
This took quite some time as two technicians did a lot of measurements, and marked up my skin all over my chest. My shoulder was not comfortable.
Once the markings were done I was taken back and forth into the CT machine a few times.
My machine was a tunnel type with a smallish opening.
I should have taken tranquillisers before my appointment. I am claustrophobic.
The tranquillisers may have helped my shoulder pain too.
Once they were happy with the measurements I was given four tiny tattoos.
They were done with a little drawing pin type things dipped in an ink type stuff.
They stung a bit, but only briefly.
I then was finished, got dressed and waited for the technician. She told me I would be contacted busy phone by the planning department with my initial appointment day and from there I would get my first fortnight schedule.
She asked did I have a preferred time of day and a few other questions, and I was free to go home.
It took approx one and three quarter hours.
I was with a private Radiation Clinic so I also had a discussion with the manager about payment and the schedule of billing.
It may be a different experience at a public hospital Radiation clinic.
I found everyone very supportive, concerned for my comfort and emotional state and as helpful as they could be while doing what they had to do.
I hope you have a good experience with it, it is rather confronting,
Jennie