Choice of Surgery or Radiotherapy(possibly chemo)

Thanks Tricia,

It's good to know it didn't cause too many side effects and thank you for the tip about co-codacol too !

I am having a meltdown about the mask this morning as I can't breath at all through my mouth in the mask as it's so tight, only through my nose and I suffer from sinus problems and I should have told them. I had it fitted yesterday and will ring them this morning to explain but I assume if it's redone it will hold things up ! Could you breath through your mouth in yours or just through your nose?, mine is so tight under my jaw i cant open my mouth at all, also what happens if I need a feeding tube through my nose and am already struggling to breath?

Sorry, I've just got myself in a state, wish I'd said something yesterday.

Thanks,

Carol

i am ( or was) a mouth breather and I did exactly what you did
they can’t adjust the mask, simply make a new one if you really can’t breathe. Then they will have to re draw the planning as well. Tell them how you’re feeling so they can stop the treatment if you can’t breathe, and don’t worry, they will straight away. But I can tell you my adrenaline kicked in to open up my nose. It might work for you. Since treatment wrecked my throat albeit temporarily I have learned to nose breathe to stop my mouth and throat drying out. 
Hope it goes ok. 

Hi carol

agree with everythjng Dani says ,I too was a mouth breather but fear or what ever taught me to breathe through my nose when I was getting dry mouth which unfortunately it’s a major side effects so don’t panic. Ring and ask if they can buy a mouth and nose and eyes didn’t yiu ask or did you forget. Yes they can re make the mask but it will possibly delay treatment if they have to involve techno people to read  calibrate your treatment plan. Try and find a meditation app to calm you down yiu can’t be panicking all the way through ,some music to help you relax get a 10 min walk or place in your head and lie on your bed put a time on and let your mind wander. Hope this helps 

Hazel x

Hi Carol I meant ask if they can cut  eyes mouth nose but probably to late when I think about it .but ring it can’t hurt 

Hazelx

Not sure if this is helpful or not, but when I went for my last nasaloscopy my nose was so closed up that they could not get the scope through.  They showed me the problem on the screen and it was tight.  I think this was because of the allergens in the air rather than anything else.  Anyway, they had some spray which they put up my nose and suddenly you could drive a tank through it!  It must be good stuff as I was advised not to drive for an hour or so.  Maybe they could give you a dose of that to open your nose up to make breathing easier?

They can cut eyeholes any time. No problem. It won’t affect the target destination. 

Thank you Dani, I was in such a state last night,terrified I would suffocate. I rang the Hospital this morning and they said they can't really alter the mask without replanning, but will keep a close eye on my breathing when having treatment. It helps to know you did the same as me and coped ok. I will keep my fingers crossed it's ok and thank you for replying, it helped a lot !

Many thanks,

Thank you Hazel, I appreciate the advice, I will just have to remain calm and put my trust in them, I will keep my fingers crossed I don't need a nose feeding tube !! Not sure how I'd cope with that !

Thank you xx

Hi Carol

I think your meltdown may be quite common. My hubby had a huge meltdown over the mask and received advice from people on here.

They had to remake his mask but there was a spare few days so it didn’t delay anything.

Ken had eye holes and nose holes cut out. Once they did that he was better. 

They did consider cutting out a hole for his Adams Apple if he still continued to be in a panic but in the end that wasn’t necessary. 

I hope your treatment goes well and isn’t too uncomfortable. 

Thank you so much for  the suggestion about the nasal spray, i will ask them about it !! Hopefully it will help,

Many thanks xx