I am starting radiotherapy to the neck. I have had my mask made but since then have started wearing a wig. Will I have to remove it during radiotherapy?
The masks are made to be very tight fitting so that you dont move your head whilst being treated. This is essential so that the xrays are placed exactly where needed to the millimeter. There are lots of important areas in your neck that the xrays need to miss for example your spinal cord. You will get some tattoo dots placed on you chest so you are lined up exactly each time. The fitting is so exact I was asked to shave off my beard of 40 years, I felt quite self conscious with this and I can see you would be very self conscious without your wig. Contact the radiology department as soon as possible, they may make you another mask (at a cost to the hospital of around £500 with the revised planning needed). Otherwise I can assure you the radiologists are very sympathetic and respectful and will put you at ease, they treat every type of cancer and see every type of person in varying modes of undress. You have to balance your short term discomfort with the long term benefits your treatment will bring.
You have quite a rough journey ahead of you with the treatment to your neck, if you need any help come back here with your questions and I will try to answer them. During treatment tell the radiologists each day any problems that arise, my hospital were fantastic and helped me through my problems every step of the way, from dealing with nausea, dry mouth, sore throat and mouth, to treating skin burns, and pain with advice on diet and excercises to keep the swallowing reflex going. Wishing you lots of resolve in the coming weeks. Kim
The masks are made to be very tight fitting so that you dont move your head whilst being treated. This is essential so that the xrays are placed exactly where needed to the millimeter. There are lots of important areas in your neck that the xrays need to miss for example your spinal cord. You will get some tattoo dots placed on you chest so you are lined up exactly each time. The fitting is so exact I was asked to shave off my beard of 40 years, I felt quite self conscious with this and I can see you would be very self conscious without your wig. Contact the radiology department as soon as possible, they may make you another mask (at a cost to the hospital of around £500 with the revised planning needed). Otherwise I can assure you the radiologists are very sympathetic and respectful and will put you at ease, they treat every type of cancer and see every type of person in varying modes of undress. You have to balance your short term discomfort with the long term benefits your treatment will bring.
You have quite a rough journey ahead of you with the treatment to your neck, if you need any help come back here with your questions and I will try to answer them. During treatment tell the radiologists each day any problems that arise, my hospital were fantastic and helped me through my problems every step of the way, from dealing with nausea, dry mouth, sore throat and mouth, to treating skin burns, and pain with advice on diet and excercises to keep the swallowing reflex going. Wishing you lots of resolve in the coming weeks. Kim
