Radiotherapy Mask uncomfortable

Mozbell said:

now dreading her radiotherapy as she feels so scared about it hurting her.

Does anyone on here have any advice? Do the radiographers listen and can they make adjustments to make the mask more comfortable?

 Hi Moz and welcome. So sorry to read about your mum. 
First, the RT session is a short one. I was in and out in ten minutes. Not like the hour the MRI took. 
The radiographers will make sure she is comfortable. There are adjustments. They can see her on a screen and can be in with her, with the Linac stopped, in a few seconds 

I had eyeholes cut in mine and being able to see out was a huge bonus. 
Get your mum to ask about a sedative for the first few times she goes in. Lots of folk cope better that way. 
She can also take her own music in to listen to. 
Some people take themselves off to somewhere they love and to something they enjoy doing. 
I was too nosey and fascinated by the science. I watched everything going on around me. 
She will do this. Being frightened is normal but every fear can be mitigated, just don’t let her panic 

Hugs 

Hi Dani

Thank you so much for your kind reply. I read it to my mum and it really helped. Hopefully they will let her have holes in the eyes as that would be one thing that would really help as she had the most terrible experience in the mri. 

I do hope you're doing ok with your recovery and thank you so much for taking the time to reply. 

Moz xx

Mozbell said:

I read it to my mum and it really helped.

Give your mum a big hug from me. I was 68 when I started treatment. It’s a challenge but it’s doable. I’m over five years clear now and living really well. A slightly dry mouth, having to take good care of  my teeth and this Community are the only hangovers

Stay with us. We can help your mum and you through this. 

Hi She will get through this we all do. As Dani has suggested get her to ask for eye holes cut in  I took my own playlist in and I practised by lying in my own bed I set a timer from12 minutes and took my head to a better place Some days riding my bike some days a favourite walk or favourite holiday. I even did a supermarket shop mentally in my head. I got used to lying there and letting my mind drift. The radio team  will be good with her they are used to it I used to ask them to tell me when I was down to the last  2 minutes then counted down. Some people ask for a mild sedative and it works for them. I too like Dani used to watch the machine whirl round. 
one thing i f she is having chemo on this’s days the mask will feel tighter because of the saline that’s pumped into us  I found being forewarned helped. 
hugs Hazel x

Good evening Moz, im with Dani and Hazel with the music and cutting eye holes in the mask, while i was having my treatment they had to adjust my mask because it became too tight and itchy where something was rubbing around the eye holes so they just made it more comfortable for me. Normally they are very good at listening to any concerns as they want the person to feel as comfortable as possible, remember your mum can stop the session by raising her arm if she is feeling uncomfortable. In many cases, it takes longer to prepare the patient for the radiotherapy than to have the treatment, once she has a couple of sessions she should be ok and feel a bit more relaxed. Wishing you both all the best, take care.

                                                             Chris x

Hi Moz

I’m 48 and finished my RT early this year. Tell your mum it’s completely normal to feel anxious I had a complete crying fit when I had my mask fitted and was shaking from head to foot for my first RT but like all the others have said the RT dept will 100% support her and once she’s done the first one she’ll feel a lot happier. Its so quick and any issues with mask they will sort it and make her comfortable. I did the same as others thought about what I was making for dinner etc.  it’s good to learn breathing exercises as I did this to relax. 

she is going to be absolutely fine x 

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. This has really helped her xx

Thank you so much and I do hope you're doing well following your treatment. This has really helped my mum xx

Oh my goodness thank you so much. That's amazing you are 5 years clear. Gives me so much hope xx

Mozbell said:

Gives me so much hope

HPV driven cancer is curable so hold onto that. Doesn't matter how old you are