Radiotherapy Mask anxiety

First. You should be able to get those eyeholes cut so keep pushing. The integrity isn’t really an issue  once you are clipped down you can’t move whatever holes are cut  You are fastened down past your shoulders  

The experience is nit really a bad one but understandably stressful if you’re claustrophobic. The fitting and planning will be the longest time you are under that mask. Treatment should take ten minutes or so apart from the odd extra minutes when the radiographers add an extra scan. 
Practice lying in bed with a towel over your face. Set an alarm for fifteen minutes. Play some music or take yourself for a favourite walk … some sort of distraction 

For the fitting the mask is warm and wet so you can try popping a wet flannel over your face while you are in the bath. 

When you have treatment you can usually take yourself own music to play. I never did. I was far too busy watching the machine pass round me with the treatment beam changing shape as it moved. Whether you watch the equipment or somewhere else being able to see is much better than not. 
Be assured the radiographers can see you and can stop the machine to be at your side in seconds if you feel completely overwhelmed. 
If you can get through the fitting you can get through the treatment easily. 
You can always ask for a sedative from your GP too. 

Ally3 said:

I asked the HNC nurse if they would be able to cut holes around my eyes but she said no!

Don’t believe her. I asked the radiologist after the mask and planning were done and they did. 

Thanks Dani

I will be asking on Monday when I go. When you mentioned about watching the machine does that mean there was enough room to open your eyes within the mask or did you have eye holes cut out? 

Just seen your last reply. That’s good to know. Will certainly be pushing for that.

My mask came pre formed with eye and mouth holes in it.  It just needed shaping to my head.  I was lucky in-so-much that i was in no way worried about wearing the mask and strangely enough I found the mouth cut out really useful at making sure I was positioned in the mask correctly.

Ally3 said:

Any of you lovely people out there felt the same or any tips of how to cope?  

Another thing. I had my fitting in the simulator room so the planning scan was done as soon as the mask was hard. My husband was allowed in but sat in CapCom when the scan was done. If it’s possible to have somebody in with you they can hold your hand maybe. The techies are very friendly and talk to you all the time explaining everything. You’ll do it. Don’t be scared …hugs. 

PFJTHS said:

I found the mouth cut out really useful at making sure I was positioned in the mask correctly.

Did you not have a tattoo? 

Hi Ally3 , like Dani said they do cut holes in the mask for those who are nervous about it, let them know you are worried about it, they will do all they can to make it better for you. Try to look on the mask as being a part of getting you back on the road to good health, which it is.

Some patients do have their masks customised so I would definitely check again, as for the treatment... sedation can be provided...or your favourite music...I used to pigeonhole myself into past holidays...it gets easier once you've gotten into a routine.

Hi push for eye holes   What i I did was as Dani says lay on bed at home put timer on for 12 minutes and take my mind off in a bike rude a walk a holiday ir even a trip round the supermarket u took my own playlist in with me and asked tge radiotherapy team to give me a 5 minute warning yiu can talk to them and they can talk back to you. It  teall6 does get easier as the treatment progresses fear if the u known won’t be helping. This was my mask  I had 35 radiotherapy sessions and 2 chemo if yiure having chemo the mask on that day may feel tight due to all the saline we have pumped in just making yiu aware  hugs Hazel xx

i asked the people who were making the mask and they cut eye nose and mouth which was useful as later I had ng tube which tucked in the nose area