Managing the Radiation Therapy Mask

I had my 1st Mask fitting on Thursday prior to 35 sessions beginning on 14th Sept. I flipped and simply asked them to stop and ended the session then and there. I found the mask not a problem it was the fact my shoulders were fastened down too. I am to speak to my Dr Tuesday with another provisional run planned that morning. I have spoken to staff about Sedative Midazolam and will be asking Doctor if this can be prescribed. Also wondering if the shoulder part of Mask could be removed. Radiotherapy is my only treatment option as Tumour is too big for surgery. Good luck to us all in the battle of the Mask.
David Green Leeds UK

I am starting this on Monday the16. I have only my nose open in the mask. Can I have my eyes and mouth uncovered? I thought I would loose it during the scan and waiting for the dr. T o read the scan. Any suggestions is appreciated

I had a similar panic experience. I asked for a trial run on the bed with the mask locked in place, without going under radiation, and a demonstration on how I could unlock one side of the mask in an emergency. Simple conditioning. That was all I needed to overcome my fear. Our "emergency" plan was that I would ask the attendant to stop the RT, and then I would unlock the mask. Just the knowledge that I could "escape" along with the experience of remaining with the mask in place for the required time was sufficient. Interesting that none of the information on RT that I've read makes any mention of this technique. I remained in the clinic until there was an opening in the schedule in order to do my trial run. The RT staff cooperated and were very pleased with the result. Simple "conditioning" is common sense. Guess most of the radiation oncology professsion doesn't have time for such nonsense

I to struggle with the claustrophobic feeling when the mask is put on. Then it seems like it takes the technician 10 minutes to start the treatment. I pray a lot and breath through my teeth to calm myself down. I am always so glad to hear that first click when I know the machine is getting ready to move to the first position of the five...then it is only a matter of a few minutes and I am done. They also have the ceiling tiles above the table painted so it gives me something to look at. But the best thing for me is to spend that 20 minutes or so praying for my family and friends. I know I am going to be okay,,,this is just six weeks of inconvenience right now but it wont last forever. Would love to hear from anyone else dealing with Parotid Gland Cancer.

The suggestion on having the hole put in the mask for your mouth is great. I found this helped immesely with my claustrophobia. No, the tranquilizer didn't really help.
Another way I took control is I brought my favorite CD for each session. The technicians loved it! They never knew if it would be John Denver, The Beatles or any number of other groups. It really helped me relax during sessions that sometimes seemed to take too long.

Thank you for your blog. It certainly helps to read how someone else found a way to cope with the mask. After two treeatments, and knowing 33 await me, I really need to find a way to be at peace with this mask. Right now I just hate it and I know I have to get my thoughts in a better place and soon! Again, thanks for your courage and for sharing. I pray for your good health.

Thank you, Bobbie, these are valuable tips. And I'm glad, for your own good health, that you've created your own support system and now bring your wife with you. :-)

I hope you'll keep in touch and share more tips as continue your treatment. We wish you the best. Take good care, Pat