Hi Sherry. Good for you to start your own thread. Back when someone would have said that to me I would definitely have gone "huh" and not known WHAT to do. OCF was my first "message board/forum" experience, but I can assure you it is the best.

There are some things with radiation that you will get through. You won't go around them or near them - you will get THROUGH them. One of them is dealing with the mask. I had a couple of techniques. One was to sing to myself during the treatment and the second radiation bout I actually made my own CD which I took to the Radiation unit and they played it while I was having my treatment. Bottom line - anything to keep your mind focused and busy. If that means multiplication tables for you - so be it.

It is so VERY important to acknowledge that no, you won't "like" it, but you get THROUGH it. They don't last forever and anyone who has sat through a Lord of the Rings Movie (or its equivalent) can get through this with ease. I tend to be very claustrophobic and seriously keeping your eyes closed and your mind elsewhere is key to staying sane.

Other than that - the treatments themselves do not hurt at all. Nada. Nothing. There are side effects you will feel but trust me a year after your treatment you will have almost forgotten about those side effects - so - stay calm and breathe - you can and will get THROUGH this.

Hugs

Donna