Anyone having right breast radiated and holding breath?

I had that in the left, but I thought the breathing was also for the lungs too

I did the breath hold radiation for the right breast. During the actual radiation session they had a little lighted graphic that showed me where the target intake of breath was. I needed to get a little mark within a rectangular target (See attached). It actually helped me push toward the deeper breath. They did not have this set up during the simulation and I was really concerned I was going to be able to do what they asked.
Every time I was able to lift my chest with a deep breath the radiation started and stopped when I breathed out. You know, the actual length of the radiation sessions is really short but it still took me probably 8-15 breathes to complete it. No one complained, I don’t know if that is typical or not. By day three I was feeling more comfortable with the system, and by day five I really felt more in control of it.
I was also surprised at the skinny little plastic thing I was laying on. But once situated on it, it didn’t hurt. Medical procedures don’t usually scare me, but I have to admit feeling unsettled and unsure of the radiation until the daily repetition made it seem like just another task to do.

I had my simulation today and start radiation tomorrow on my right breast. They didn’t say anything about holding my breath, however, I am getting radiation in the prone position so maybe holding your breath doesn’t apply.

Hello @marshgirl24 I think that as everything leans towards keeping us safer for the long term, they keep looking for ways to protect not only the heart but the lungs. I think the girls have given you some great responses.
Please ask your tech to explain everything, and if you have to ask again, do it.
You have a right to be comfortable that you understand everything and get your treatments safely.
Will you come back again and let us know how you are doing?

Oh, i didn’t realize that the machine stopped and then started, completing the cycle. I thought I went right back to go. The session went on forever and my upraised arms clutching the bars were aching. I just went online and found some videos to practice with. Frustrating.

A friend of mine went to Mayo. And had the prone position. No problems. Ohio State medical Center has used prone for ten years, or so I read. And for women who have lumpectomies and who might have smaller breasts. When I mention that position here, they only use it with larger breasts.

@marshgirl24,

It is ashame that they did not explain exactly what would happen during the simulation appointment. When I had right breast radiation, I had to hold breath. The medical term is Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH). . They have you do it to help prevent radiation from affecting other organs. Some sessions, I had no problem other times I got nervous and more thought about harder it was. I think key is to relax, as hard as that sounds.

Glad you found video to practice with. I practiced breathing technique at home. And during technique I slowly counted to myself. Radiation websites recommend that you work up to 20 seconds. Not very long, but seems long when in procedure room. After few sessions I knew actually how long I had hold breath each time. Try deep breaths through nose vs mouth an see if that helps.

Funny story, they played music during radiation. Once a song called "Breath" was playing, there I was trying to hold my breath and listening to song telling me to breath. It was all I could do not to laugh.

Let us know how next session goes.

Thanks, @triciaot, that's a good way to look at it. Hopefully today will go better. Our horizontal scale is somewhat similar. I used to sing in a choir and we did diaphragm breathing but yesterday I could not hit the mark! The very cold room doesn't help you relax. And I did not realize that the treatment itself could be done in increments. I thought I was going back to Go each time. To his credit, my radiation oncologist called me late yesterday. He's very reassuring. I wanted the treatment I saw online, the one where the woman is relaxed and smiling.

I apologize if I am repeating myself. This system is new to me and I'm still learning it.

I did great today! Watched DIBH videos last night and practiced this morning. Held my breath for 45 seconds. What?? However, my arms are not comfortable. And it's been that way since the simulation. I'm in the arms up holding two bars position. In the simulator room I was gripping one bar, and it was really uncomfortable. Today after 15 minutes when the machinery whirled, I breathed and I thought we were almost finished, they came back in and said I was in the wrong position. Well, they put me there! So we worked around and my arms became even more uncomfortable and we started over. Is it always like this? I like this facility and the doctor but I'm uncomfortable with clinical confusion.

It seems weird that they don't have it more together on explaining the radiation treatment process. I did not have to hold my breath - not sure why, but was told it wasn't necessary. On the other hand, despite being comfortably positioned, some of the treatments took so long that my arms fell asleep and I wasn't allowed to move them. I also wish I had known ahead of time that the marker used for the simulation would rub off on my clothing. I would have worn a black bra and top. Also, I was allergic to the little stickers they put on during the simulation. I got a bad rash, so I had to take them off and then keep marking the spots with a magic marker until they could do the tattoos. I could have told them I have sensitive skin and might have a reaction, but no one bothered to even tell me I would get stickers until they were sticking them on. All that said, everyone was pretty nice and I would still prefer lumpectomy and radiation to a mastectomy, especially since my tumor was so small - 2 mm. I am glad I still have most of my breast, including my nipple, and still have sensation on that side.