Thanks Christine. I have not had a hearing test, but will inquire. Yes, I have had dental trays made for the treatments, also a tongue guard. The dental oncologist that is following me says we will use the trays for the fluoride as well.

Hi Barbara,

I was pretty nervous about the mask at first too, but I didn't find it that bad. I was also prescribed ativan, but it just made me sleepy and i realized after a few timse i didnt need it. i just tried to view the 15 minutes or so i was in the machine as a time to rest and relax. i usually would just close my eyes and try and take advantage of that time to reflect, think, say prayers... the time seemed to go by pretty quickly to me. hopefully it won't be too bad for you!

Barbara,

I started using my trays 1 month pre radiation.

Barbara, we're all here to help you. The mask is indeed a scary thing! I brought my iPod and small speakers in there and listened to music or an audio book. If that's not possible you might also consider a Zen technique I learned from my brother - counting my slowly exhaling breaths slowly backward from 10. When I got to zero I started again. Just an idea.

Please keep us posted and ask any questions no matter how insignificant they may seem. Someone here will likely have an answer.

My thoughts are with you.

Okay, I got through the verification simulation with the mask on Nov 8. I took 1 Ativan and my husband was in the room until they closed the door. When they snapped me in I had a moment and they had to take it off. Got it together, went somewhere else in my head and made it through. My RTTs, Rachel and Carlos were wonderful! Then on Friday, Nov 9 they put the g tube in through the abdominal wall and also put the port in. I had been told it would feel like I'd been kicked in the stomach for a few days. More like cut in the stomach and then kicked a bunch of times. Wow, it hurts more than the neck dissection! I am the person that never even had pain numbing meds when having dental work done, and definitely nothing when I delivered my two sons. I feel like I need pain medication for everything now. Crazy. The past few days have been really tough emotionally/mentally, but I feel a little stronger this morning. I will get the "kick it in the ass" attitude back before rads start. I start radiation on Tuesday and my first cisplatin on Thursday. I still have a lot of questions for the chemo doc as there seems to be a break down in communication already. I seem to be rambling and I am not sure if I'm posting correctly. I've not done anything like this before, so hope I'm following your rules.

Hi Barbara

Good for you. You found that mental place you have to go to during radiation! Once you can do that radiation becomes a matter of counting down the numbers and dealing - usually later in treatment - with side effects.

Don't be so hard on yourself -if you need pain meds take them. There are no prizes for getting through this pain killer free! Do what you need to do - absolutely no apologies or explanations needed. Your body has and will be assaulted. - listen to it.

Donna

[quote=barbara WHITEHERSE] Got it together, went somewhere else in my head and made it through.[/quote]

This is exactly what my very claustrophobic hubby did during rads. He is a private pilot and he would take virtual cross country flights in his head..no meds needed.

Congrats on getting past this hurdle..I know it was hard.

Deb

Congrats on getting through it! onwards and upwards!