Hello all! I started radiotherapy yesterday. After reading about different experiences in this forum, I decided to wear a cropped top, which I left on until I laid on the bed. Only then I pulled it down to my waist. It made me feel less exposed. I hope this experience helps anyone that is going through the same. I had no offer of gown or any cover, so quite happy to have the cropped top on as the room was enormous and it was a bit of a walk to the machine.. sending much love and stay strong everyone!
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Well done you for thinking ahead . I did the same though I also was given a gown every day - have you considered asking them why they don’t offer gowns or other coverings ? Xx
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Hope the rest of the treatment goes well for you xx
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If you get cold, cut off old long sleeved top to wear on your arms or long sock and cut and whole in the feet. I was given a gown but it was cold in the room and covering my arms helped keep me a bit warmer.
Take care
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That’s a great idea! x
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Really surprised that you are not being offered a gown as I was every time and felt that my privacy and dignity was very respected which was important. Why don’t you ask them to give you a gown?
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You addressed this to me but I was given a gown every day - I didn’t know I would be offered a gown to begin with but then kept wearing a crop top in case they ran out go wns. Xx
Hi there! Thank you for your messages! Yes it is true they didn’t offer a gown on my first day, but I also didn’t ask. After my first day wearing my cropped top, I felt quite comfortable on my own clothes, so yesterday (second day) I didn’t ask for a gown and just went on with my top on till I laid down. Very personal, I guess, but wearing my own clothes while I walked to the machine made me feel less vulnerable.. love and strength to all!
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You usually get to keep your own clothes on on the bottom - I did plus crop top and gown over the top . I take your point though - a gown gives modesty but it’s also institutional xx
When I had radiotherapy I was told to strip to the waist and was not offered any gown or any covering. I then had to walk from the changing room (door straight to radiotherapy room) down a corridor to where the machine was. It was cold (February 2024) and had male radiographers as well as females on two occasions. I felt very exposed and walked with my arms folded over my breasts. Not great but I figured they had seen many breasts before and just got on with it.
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Not good that I would feel really exposed . I was given a gown the first day then told to keep it till day 5 when I gave it back in. I assumed everyone was given one .
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Well done you but personally I think it’s worth querying because aside from the modesty / dignity issues ( which you have dealt with very well ) I can imagine that some people might still be uncomfortable / sore and in need of some support whilst walking .
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Hi Joanne
I agree with you retrospectively, but almost two years have passed and I assumed at the time that the offering of no gown was common practice. It’s only from this thread I have learned otherwise. I don’t feel it appropriate to go back and say this to the radiotherapy team almost two years later. Your point is well made though and thank you for making it. Xx
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