Radiotherapy

You’ll find your way. Don’t forget the machine with its noise doesn’t touch you and the treatment itself doesn’t hurt. You can stop everything in an instant. 
some people have a little diazepam before they go. 

Hi Dee. I had difficulty breathing through my nose and found out at first MRI I'm claustrophobic. I was advised to take 10mg of Valium prior to the scans.

I too was very worried about the Mask for Radiation Tr. I started with 10mgs Valium x 3 days, then reduced this down by 2.5 mgs every three days until I was on 2.5mgs. I stayed on that as I didn't want to try no sedation, find out I couldn't do it and have to wait until I could be slotted in again.

I asked if I could have the eyes cut out when mask was being made, and was told needed Dr's permission, asked at next appt & he said no (weakens mask, doesn't want me looking round me). The girls offered music, and played my requests every day - maybe two songs in duration & initially they cut in and spoke to me, until I said I was ok with just the music. 

I was offered the Valium at the Center, but that meant going early to get it & wait for it to work, so I got mine from my GP and was able to take it on way there. Do what you need to allow you to get your treatment with the least stress on your body. I felt like I'd had / would have enough challenges without making more!  Tina x

Thank you Tina that's very helpful x

Had my first chemo radiotherapy today. Thank you all for your advice. They played The Beatles for me, 3 tracks and all done. Although track 2 was Yesterday and the lyrics "all my troubles seem so far away" did make me chuckle in my head

Well done. Head down and plough on. It will be done in no time. My lot played music too but I have no idea what. I was too busy watching the machine. Some people take their own 

Hi Dee

i had 30 rounds in April/May …good news is they got quicker as the radiographers get used to you and your mask, so it was less than 5 minutes towards the end! Longest was probably 12 minutes at the start. 

definitely mention it, they can cut a nose hole in, which happened to so done else during my time. And for one lady someone went in with her to help. Not entirely sure how close they were though. 

I used to count, this helped my breathing. I got up to 720 at most and by the end around 480-530ish. That really helped.

Good luck xx 

Hi Dee

like many on here I went through 30 radio therapy sessions. 
I asked if I could take the mask home for a night after it was made, they were a little reluctant but let me.

I basically sat in a chair and stuck it on my shoulders and stayed there for a while and released it was no big deal.

the next thing is being pinned to the table… I used to do quite a bit of scuba and used a few gentle breathing exercises to relax me and quite often closed my eyes and started to drift off..

I took in my own playlist and ended up having a laugh with that.

pretty quickly as Madonna once said it was a case of “strike the pose theirs nothing to it” and was done in under 5 mins and having a chat with the team the rest of the time. 

Remember when you are in position the process itself only takes 1 minute and is over before you know it.

the big thing to remember is the team are there to help you get comfortable and if you are concerned about anything tell them.

best wishes 

The only thing I would add to everyone else's great suggestions is maybe ask for a blanket or take your own - I took a big soft cashmere shawl that my Mum had given me and it really helped to feel cosy while lying there in the mask.

I didn't have eye holes, I think I would have kept my eyes closed anyway.

Sending love

Catriona 

Montus said:

I asked if I could take the mask home for a night after it was made, they were a little reluctant but let me.

I’ve never heard of anybody doing that. Brilliant! 

What a great idea, it is a bit nippy in there. Thanks xx