Radiation tattoos?

Question

What have your experiences with radiation tattoos been like? I have them on my neck and chest, and some people are rude enough to ask if it's dirt or a zit. It kind of angers me. Have you had them removed or covered up with a real tattoo? Have you had anybody be rude about them? Where are they (the tats, not the rude people)?

Well I can't use the "do I know you?" line, as most of these idiots are acquaintances at work. So I do know them, though they are not friends.

Answer 1

I actually picked a couple of them out. It took a little digging, and it drew blood, but it healed and the tatoo was gone. Just like picking a zit, only I dug deeper. gross, I know, but it worked. I didn't dig deep enough to leave scars, just enough to get the tatoo ink out.
Best wishes

Answer 2

I would agree with the statement of saying that it is your badge of courage. I would hope that the tattoo's were made small enough that they aren't that noticable. If they are, then you can use a bit of makeup, if your skin is able to tolerate at this point and is healed, to hide the tattoo's.

I would highly discourage having the tattoo's removed. These marks are very important in the event you may ever need to have any additional radiation. I have been in situations in which we ahve tried to reproduce the original fields of treatment from films, charts, and dosimetry plans. It can at times be very difficult and rather challenging. However, when you take all of that information and combine it with that physical tattoo's located on a patient, it becomes the missing piece of the puzzle. This is vital information since there is the potential of the cord and tolerance doses of radiation coming into consideration should there ever be a recurrance in that area.

Unfortunately, some people are just plain rude and have no manners what so ever. I apologize for those people out there that have made comments to you. Do not take it the wrong way or think less of yourself. You are one of the few people that have had to bare that badge of courage. You should be proud to be a cancer survivor. You have battled something that most people can not even possibly try to phathom. You have come out on the other end and are walking ahead in your path of life. I applaud you and have the utmost respect for you and what you have been able to face.

Answer 3

I have one under each arm, toward my back, and one just off dead center of my cleavage. I figure, if someone is able to see my tattoo, I have a free drink coming! ;)

I use my cleavage tattoo when dressing in the morning - if I can see the tattoo, I need to change my shirt.

No one has asked me about the tattoos, and I DO brag about having three. Now, if I could get rid of the weight I've gained due to side effects, I'd slap on a leather halter top and hit the streets to show off the eight-inch scar on my back! I've told my husband if anyone asks, I'll tell 'em I got it in a knife fight with a biker - and MAN!, you should see the other guy!

Depending on your cancer and your comfort level, you may want to tell people that the tattoos are for radiation treatment and that you know what real stress is. Continue to smell the roses.

Answer 4

i planned on checking in w/my radiation office tomorrow, about removal, but also at having the color changed. the problem i have with them is fully my own, more or less wanting to eliminate ANY visual reminder of what this horrible year has been like. i am considering going to some local tatoo artists to see if the "dots" can just be darkened to a shade that more accurately resembles a beauty mark, more of a chocolate brown instead of the navy blue they seem to be. again, this is fully my own issue. i'm pretty sure that the one that is actually visible a couple of inches below my neck does not seem like anything other than a beauty mark, but i know what it really is. these are the only tattoos i have, and although this situation doesn't resonate fully with having to deal with obtuse coworkers, perhaps my potential approach to handling the "forced ink" could be helpful. best of health, and stay strong!!

Answer 5

My front facial ones were gone in a year. I still have some under my hairline, I'm told but I can't spot them with a mirror.

My kids offered to improve them to something spectacular for Xmas and were quite disappointed when I refused the kind offer.

Answer 6

The people asking if it's dirt may be genuinely trying to alert you ... innocently not knowing the tattoo purpose.

The ones asking if it's a zit are just rude...dirt you would want to know about and wash away, zits you don't want to be told about!

I like the idea of blanking the rude people with "do I know you" :-)

Answer 7

two of mine were shallow enough that when my skin peeled from radiation burns they came off, but I have one under my right arm. It looks somewhat like a mole.

to people that don't know you and ask rude questions you can tell them it's your badge of courage. Or just look them in the eye and say, "excuse me, do I know you" then walk away.

Answer 8

Hmmm

Mine are all in places a polite person wouldn't be looking!

They are under my arm and on my chest in the middle of my cleavage!

Anyone commenting would be told where to go......... LOL

Wear them with pride, I referred to myself as the Hells Angel wannabe .... the bald, tatooed lady!

Love the "do I know you?" comment, could have used that one with the people who kept rubbing my regrowth when it was just a light fuzzy cover on my baldness!

Answer 9

I just got one on my neck. It is the size of a freckle. I can't imagine someone making a comment about it. I would tell them it is a freckle.