Son with Mouth and Jaw Cancer

Hi Macfarlane

Sorry to read about what your son is going through and so nice to hear about your support. My wife has never had radiotherapy so do not really have much to say around that but my wife would certainly relate to the issues with MRI and it is really common for people to have issues with that.

Reading between the lines a little perhaps it might help you to look at our pages on Your feelings when someone has cancer, because it is hard and perhaps only people who have been there can really relate. The one plus in my workplace is when I opened up about my wife's cancer lots of people have spoken to me with a "meToo" - and that helped me feel perhaps less alone.

I don't know if you rang the helpline here whether the nurses might have any ideas to help with the mask fitting, I am sure the hospital staff who do it will have seen many similar cases in the past so it would be worth talking to them too.

There are some pages on the main site that talk through the process if that helps you - here.

<<hugs>>

Steve

Mums having 35 sessions of radiotherapy for throat cancer and she is claustrophobic too. She thought the mask fitting was not as bad as she thought and she knew she had to have it done to be cured. The radiotherapy is over very quickly and she shuts her eyes. It is the setting up that takes the time. It is causing her a lot of shoulder pain though as it is affecting associated nerves and mucus in mouth is difficult to deal with.

She has good days and bad but I understand how hard it is to stay positive.

Thank you both for your replies.  It is hard to see a loved one go through all the necessary treatment, but we know it has to be done.  We are all, as a family, trying to stay as strong and positive for him as we can.  I wish your loved ones a speedy recovery.  Thank you again for your support.  Janet 

My hubby the same, he cannot manage any foods but has ensure drinks and aymes shakes. He got panic attacks having the mask for RT, his GP prescribed diazapam which helped and he only took before having treatment. It helped him to relax   

Pleased your husband was prescribed diazapam, my son was also prescribed it and it helped him when he had the mask made.  He starts his treatment next week so hopefully the diazapam will help.  Hope your husband is recovering well, it's so hard to see our loved ones in pain.  Thanks for replying, take care 

Good luck for next week. Sending best wishes. 

Thank you.  Take care