Radiotherapy

Hi John welcome to the club and our friendly community sorry you are here. 
The mask I treated it as my friend it was going to save my life so looked at it that way. ( ask for eyes to put cut in it if they will ) 
I don’t suffer from claustrophobic thoughts but what u did to get through  treatment was prior to treatment starting I laid on my own bed at home closed my eyes and set alarm for 12 mins. I then took my head in a bike ride or a walk . I included every little thought I coujd e g a coffee stop etc. The radiotherapy teams are there to help you tell them your fears they will do all they can to help. Lots of us have been there and done it. I also took my own c d s in ask they may let you. 
treatments rarely last longer than 10-12 minutes. You can do this. 
hazel 

Hi Hazel,

               Thankyou for your prompt reply and advice.

Yes, I agree about picturing another scene etc as it was the only thing that allowed me to stop myself from tearing off the mask.

So glad to hear that your treatment was successful and I take great encouragement from that.

John

No problem John it’s a case if needs must you’ve gotten this.  Walk in with head head high. 

it’s hard but if  u can do it anyone can 

abyvwyestiobs just ask someone will always get back to you 

Hazel 

Thanks Hazel, appreciated.

Hi  John. This is Stuart using my wife’s log in. I have been through what you are doing now. I am incredibly claustrophobic. The mask was terrifying for me. I was going to refuse my 34 radiotherapy sessions. Someone then said to me that maybe I should give my mask a name and treat it as a friend that would ultimately save my life. I did this. It was so hard. I have Martin the mask at home now and even though I am not done with all this yet, you will be ok . The hardest thing you will ever do, but you will have your future. Be strong and stay positive

Hi John I too gave my mask a name Venezia after Venice the home of the masked ball. She came home with me after treatment and is now in the garage. She was guest of honour at our ruby wedding because without her I wouldn’t have seen my Ruby wedding 

hazel xx

Thanks Stuart much appreciated.

Thanks Hazel, will think of a name.

Appreciate everyone's advice.

Hi John,

Sorry you are going through this, but welcome. 

Much like everyone else, I named my mask, that's where Ronnie (the radiotherapy mask) comes from on here in honour of my mum. The mask is now at school for the health & social care/ science students. 

I use a meditation app, so found a couple for 10-15 mins. I'd breathe slowly and go through them in my head. I visualised laying in the sun. You'll soon learn the sounds and movements of the machine too, so be able to clock off each bit. They wouldn't cut eyes for me, so I always closed my eyes before they clipped it on, I found that calmer. There was a man who struggled having treatment at same time, they played him music / chatted to him throughout. Let your team know how you feel and they will help you. 

Good luck and pop on here with any questions.

Ronnie

I was really claustrophobic and also really hate being trapped on my back.

I always made sure there was music playing and used to count throughout, I also asked all my team to be as quiet as possible, just straight in, undo me, without saying a word or making a noise.

The 1st time, when I heard them come in and walking up to me was the worst but as soon as I asked them to be as silent and quick as possible they were great, as soon as machine stopped, they were in and undoing me without me hearing a thing, amazing the difference it made.

Towards the end I was actually enjoying it, you get to know the clunks of the machine.