Preparing for Your Appointment

Consultation

In order to expedite the registration process at the time of your initial consultation you need to bring:

• Health insurance card with your policy number and name of policy holder (spouse or other family member whose name is on the insurance policy) and policy holder's social security number
• Employer's name address and phone number, if you are covered under your employer's insurance program
• Medicare card if you have one
• Your Advance Directives (living will or Health Care Proxy) if you have one
• List of medications you currently take
• Your parking ticket for validation

At registration you will be asked to complete:

• Release of Information
• General Consent for Treatment and Financial Responsibility
• Patient Medical History Form text We encourage you to print this form, complete it and bring it with you to your consultation.
• Advance Directive (living will or Health Care Proxy) – optional

The consultation process consists of registration, a visit with a nurse and an examination and discussion with your physicians.

Simulation

At the time of consultation your doctor will determine if a course of radiation therapy will be beneficial for you. If you decide to proceed with radiation therapy the next step is the scheduling of a simulation procedure. This procedure is the beginning of the planning phase that will be personalized with your specific treatment needs in mind. This is done using either our CT Simulator or Ximatron Simulator.

A radiation therapist along with your doctor and sometimes, a nurse will be with you for the simulation. Your doctor may want you to receive IV contrast (dye) so that certain parts of the body can be seen better on the images. In this case, a nurse will begin by asking you a few questions about any allergies or medications you may be taking. The nurse will then start an IV, usually in your arm, so that the contrast can be injected during the simulation. The IV will be removed after the simulation. Next, a special positioning device may be made for you. The device is used to help you hold still during the simulation and stay in the same position for each treatment. The simulation is then performed in the treatment position, using the device. When the simulation is finished, the therapists will place semi-permanent marks on your skin to help reposition you for treatment. Do not wash off these marks. After your simulation, you will be given instructions about when to return for your first treatment .

Treatment