Head and neck

Morning, finally had my Mask fitting Monday was another another step to my treatments that are going to start in February. Mask fitting wasn’t too bad as long as you can totally relax  easier said than done was a bit oppressive but staff make you comfortable and reassuring . Did find process fascinating it’s all clever stuff . After I then had CT scan with mast in place clamped down ,bit of a snug fit but ok and was told it’s basically same process when doing Radiotherapy. . Ken

Morning, like Steve there was music playing and the staff were great. You have to have shoulders bare, or I did. Ask so you know what to wear for easiness. I used to count to 50 in my head and it was over. Take care and I'm sure everyone on this group has your back. Josie 

That's probably the longest time you'll be in the mask Ozzer.  The radiotherapy sessions are much quicker.  Most of the time is taken up by setting up.

Linda x

I have a mouth wash to swirl and spit and I have something called Gelclair (cant spell) I've got laxatives and morphine oral liquid and which I was on 5ml but now I'm on 10ml. I have morphine sulphate tablets I was on 20mg in the morning and night but now I'm on 40mg 3 times a day. Im on 300mg gabapentin im now on 900mg. 

And still in absolute agony.  X

Yes I had robotic surgery to remove right tonsil and tumor and I had full right hand neck dissection and remove the tumor attached to my right lymph node. Its the swallowing that's excruciating x

Unknown said:

And still in absolute agony.  X

1. Hell! I feel for you. According to others who had surgery similar to yours the pain is pretty awful for around two weeks then it suddenly gets better. Somebody else here with refractory pain is trying  Amitriptyline  

LindaWT that’s good to know , can’t say I would like to have on for a long session but needs must . Thanks 

The session was long enough to listen to 2 tracks on their music tape they played me.  And no, they weren't 12 inch tracks!

Ozzer said:

LindaWT that’s good to know , can’t say I would like to have on for a long session but needs must . Thanks 

Ten minutes tops from clip down to clip out for me. Sometimes there was an extra quick scan and adjustments to be made. 
Did you ask for eyeholes to be cut out? 

The Oxetocaine and Antacid Oral Suspension swallowed 5 minutes before eating I was prescribed helps to anaesthetise the throat which helps with the pain when swallowing to some degree. 

I do know how awful the pain is.  If you're finding the pain relief you've been offered really isn't helping then I would get back to your team.  It may be that a different pain killer would work better for you.

What I can say is, it does get better.

Linda x