Radiotherapy

Hi Dee

There are several people on the forum who have reported the same concerns about keeping the mask on for so long. They have been advised to ask to have eye holes cut in it and apparently this has worked well. They have also taken along their own play list of music and asked for this to be played and this has helped also. Some have practised going to their happy place and concentrating on that e.g. your favourite spot on the beach which is what I used to do.

In relation to the neck and face numbness. With me I found that it decreased over time but never went away completely. It may be different for others. I am just used to it now and don't often notice it unless I really think about it. It has become part of my new normal.

You've got this Dee you will be fine.

Best wishes

Lyn

x

Hi Dee I had 35 radiotherapy sessions I wasn’t in for that long I took my own playlists in and rarely lasted longer than 3 tracks average around 8-10 mins. I also visualised my favourite places to go for s bike ride or a walk in my head. I practised at home laid on the bed and put music on closed my eyes snd visualised beach walls bike rides etc. it does goes quickly I asked the team to talk to me as well. Give me a countdown to last few minute. Have you eyeholes cut out I recommend if not ask for them I watched the linear accelerators go round as well. Once a week tge session was s bit longer if they needed to scan but not 15 mins. 
Can’t  help with numbness sorry didn’t have op. 
good luck 

Hazel x

Hi Dee,

Welcome to the group.

In terms of coping with the mask for radiotherapy, I have chronic anxiety issues, including agoraphobia. I thought I wouldn't be able to cope with the mask. 

Several things helped me:

1. Tell the radiotherapists how you are feeling and they will keep a special eye on you and remind you that they will stop the treatment anytime you raise your hand.

2. Ask them to talk you through the process (you may need to remind them in each session). Tell them exactly what you need to hear. For me, it was "half way through, now", "only 1 minute left" etc. I did have one guy that talked me through in detail, like an airline pilot "... and now you will hear the machine moving from your left ear, to your right ear..."!!

3. When you are at home, relax and visualise the process and think "this is so easy... I can do this... I accept the treatment... each session is making me more healthy" etc.

4. During sessions, visualise a happy place and time. For me, it was running on a beach with my dog and snuggling her.

5. Keep your eyes closed. For me, I didn't want to have eye holes in the mask and to see the machine moving. I just wanted to tune out and let it happen. This is different for everyone...

1. One thing to know is that (over the weeks) some of the sessions get much shorter (yeah!), as they don't need to start each time with a planning scan. When they do planning scans, there is a short break after the scan, while they check positioning is OK. This is another reason to ask them to talk with you over the intercom, as I found this short wait, with nothing happening, quite challenging.

I got through my 35 sessions. There were many days when I was so relaxed that it was over, before I realised. A few more anxious days, but I used the tips above. I never had to raise my hand to stop a session, although I came close a couple of times.

Good luck

Steve

Thanks Lyn that's really helpful x

Thanks Hazel x

Thanks Steve, I kept my eyes closed for the scan as I don't think I want to see the machine moving either. I'll speak to them next week and see how the first session goes, I have chemo beforehand so maybe I'll be too tired to notice.

Hello. I had 30x radio & 6x chemo. I closed my eyes for most of each session & visualised lying on the beach, listening to the waves & birds. Other times I would sing songs in my head. I found each session passed quickly. 

Thanks I'll give that ago too.

DeeDeeDee said:

How did you cope?

Eyeholes. Ask for eyeholes. I was busy looking all round me and watching the Linac go round and lost track of time. 

Thanks Dani x