Radiation - "blanket" ?? help

TSund · 11-29-2007, 11:02 PM

Ruth has started her radiation therapy. I was with her at the initial consultation, but have not been going with her to the actual therapy. They are using some sort of "Blanket" every other day which she cannot explain to me nor did the Dr. tell us that would be used. Ruth says the technician said the skin irritation typically starts much earlier with its use. (3 weeks out vs 5 weeks) The only thing I can find on the web, and VERY limited info, is that this might be an immobilization blanket. The study I saw was 2005, so pretty recent. I cannot determine if this is something that helps Ruth's therapy and/or makes it safer for her or if it is simply something that makes their job easier but with potentially more consequences for her.

Can anyone help? She just saw the Dr yesterday, so won't see again personally until next week. I so appreciate your help as always!

Terri

PS Ruth's cancer was on the right side, so I don't think this is heart related?

tousled1 · 11-29-2007, 11:04 PM

Terri,

When I had radiation the last week of it was called "boosts" and they used somewhat of a blanket. I think that is what's happening. It gives a stronger dose to specific areas. Glad Ruth is doing so well.

TSund · 11-29-2007, 11:12 PM

Thanks Kate for replying so quickly. I'm glad that YOU are doing better...

Ruth was to get a mastectomy scar boost the last week. But she has just started! I was very specific to ask about axilla boost, as the evidence I had seen did not point to its usefulness anyhow, and everyone agreed that Ruth did not need axilla boost.

I'm still puzzled and concerned...

THX

TRS

SoCalGal · 11-30-2007, 12:18 AM

I had radiation in Feb '06 and they used a thin gel pack which they laid on me and then radiated. It was to spare my skin from burning - it allows the radiation to pass thru but spares the top of your skin from the usual irritation. I think that's what it is! She can ask the technician for a better explanation. The "boost" is usually at the very end and is a concentrated zap. I also did radiation in 1996 so I will say that compared to chemo it's a cake walk. In '96 I burned so badly that I wore artificial "skin" for the last week. Just for the record, I was still super woman and got up, got dressed and functioned every day. Once radiation ends, I think there is fatigue like no other. You can really flat line late in the day. But it WILL pass. It just takes time for your body to process and eliminate the fallout from the treatment. What we endure to LIVE!

Margerie · 11-30-2007, 03:36 AM

Terri,

I think the pad/blanket is called a bolus. For me, it was a thick gel pad. They explained it to me as keeping the radiation near the skin, to keep it from penetrating deeper. The gel pad has the consistency of the skin itself. Good for getting the skin a bigger dose. This is the tissue with the most risk, want to keep the radiation away from my heart- left side mastectomy for me. Bad news is it causes the tissue to break down more. I did fine until about #20. Then they discontinued using the bolus.

Hope it all goes smoothly for Ruth. I just love the picture of you two!

michka · 11-30-2007, 06:38 AM

I had the sames explanation about the "blanket" as Margerie. It was to keep the radiation on the surface since it was on my left side. The skin burned at the end. I have a big rectangle now on my thorax because my skin pigmented. I finished radiation 8 months ago.
Michka

Mary Jo · 11-30-2007, 08:58 AM

For me it was as Margerie said. It was called a "bolus" (spelling?) and it was used every 3rd or 4th day as a way keeping the radiation from going too deep.

Mary Jo

Mary Anne in TX · 11-30-2007, 10:03 AM

I had the bolus, "skin like stuff" every other or every third day! Same reasons. ma

SoCalGal · 11-30-2007, 06:59 PM

I can't believe I had the exact opposite understanding of the gel pack. Never knew a technical name for it. I think I was just so stunned to be back in radiation land - 10 years later.

Brian with a "Y", big hunk, southern gent was my technician. Maybe I was distracted but all this time I thought it was to protect my skin. They were only trying to do a light zapping so who knows what really happened. lol.

lexigirl · 12-01-2007, 02:41 PM

I had the bolus used as well so the rads would be more concentrated to the area on my chest that had the skin met. It was used every other tx.

Lexi