I'm sorry to read of your severe misgivings about radiotherapy.I've had radiotherapy on my head but didn't have a mask.  I was expected to die & the treatments I had were only paliative, so perhaps they thought they didn't need to bother with a mask.

I've also had radiotherapy which involved swallowing a radioactive isotope & the usual beam radiotherapy on my leg. My experience of radiotherapy is nothing but good. There's nothing scary about it. It wasn't as bad as my experiences of MRI scanners. Some people have skin irritation but I didn't have any side effects.The marvellous thing about radiotherapy is that it's quick & it works!  I had a massive tumour in my face which I literally watched shrink every day & it completely disappeared. My tumours just went as if by magic.

Each treatment lasts onlya few minutes so you wouldn't have to wear the mask for long  Perhaps you could try to tell yourself that it will be worth it. I think you should tell the radiotherapy staff aboout your concerns & talk to a cancer nurse or counsellor. Please don't let a mask put you off the treatment.

Thanks for your reply dave, i guess it's the claustrophobic aspect that freaks me out so much, thanks gail 

Thanks for your reply eciguser, this has helped me a lot, you sound so brave after being through so much, hope you're well and stay strong. Thanks for taking the time to try and reassure me, gail 

Thank you.  I doubt that it does help because I've no experience of the mask, although I've seen lots of them & can sort of understand the claustrophobia problem. I wish I was brave! I've just realized that you started the brain lymphoma strand & I read the moderator's post.  I hope you take her advice. I hate the idea that  the mask could stop you from having the wonderful treatment.

Gail,

I'm sure you'll be OK once you've had it made and had time to try it on. Not much different to wearing a balaclava - except it won't be itchy!

The fear and apprehension is usually far worse than the reality. A lot of us find that having cancer, especially in the early stages, understandably makes us more apprehensive and fearful than we usually are.  

Good luck - I'm sure you'll get through it OK.
Dave
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Hi gail

Ive had this type of radiotherapy with the mask. It is a bit frightening and panicky no matter what others say, and this is a normal reaction. When the mask is made, you lie on your back on a bench, the plastic mask is heated up in hot water so it is pliable, it is quickly pressed into the shape of your face and neck and the studs clicked onto the bench to make a good fit. The plastic is quite hot at first but cools quickly and will not harm you. The aim is for a mask that will keep your head in exactly the same position so that the radiotherapy only treats the required area. To this end you will be lined up with laser lights and will have some dots tattooed on your chest so the radiographers have a reference point each visit. You can see and breath ok through the mask but cannot move your head once clipped onto the bench. The staff are always on hand to reassure you but obviously cant stay in the treatment room with you but will be watching you, you can stop the treatment at any time by raising your hand, they will come into the room and release you quickly, but you will get used to it after one or two sessions. The machine will rotate to different positions around your head while delivering x-rays to only where they are needed. You will feel nothing, you can ask for music to be played, I chose the radio 2. The session just became listening to radio 2 for 15 minutes each day for six weeks. The biggest problem is not the mask but the journey to and from the hospital each day. Tell the radiographers of any side effects each day, they are able to give every possible help you get through the course. I suffered from skin burns, nausea, inability to eat, tiredness etc. I was given help from different departments to overcome these problems. The last two weeks and the first two weeks after end of treatment are the worst but you very quickly recover from the radiotherapy after that. I hope this helps, you will get through it and the last treatment day will come, you can take your mask home if you wish. I did.

Hi Gail,

I had radiotherapy to my brain /head in 2009. I can see how the mask can look very scary but I just tried to rationalise it as a tool used to keep my head in the same position so the beam can be as accurate as possible to kill the misbehaving cells. It's more or less the same as having an MRI scan to your head which you must have had. They make the mask to fit your head when it is on, you can't really feel it unless you try to move so relax, radiotherapy is a painless cancer killer. Please just try and tell yourself that it will be worth it in the end I had it a longish time ago & I'm still here! When are you due to start your treatment? 

Very best wishes & good luck.

Ruth

Hi Gail

It's great to see that you have received so many supportive responses from Cancer Chat members. Just to let you know that we have some information here on radiotherapy masks.

There is also a useful video on the page which we hope you find helpful.

Best wishes to you,

Jane
 
 

Thank you everyone for taking the time to try and reassure me, I was supposed to have my final round of chemo by now but ive been told my white cell count is still to low and have been sent home until Thursday. While I was in today I had a word with my lymphoma nurse and she has greatly put my mind at ease. Thank you all once again.