Sherry: deep breaths in and out, and count them. Slow and deep. That will help you during the mask making, which isn't terribly long... although it will seem so.

For treatments themselves I recommend you think about getting an mp3 player and small speakers. Your clinic will likely have a CD player so maybe this won't be necessary, and if you can bring in CDs you like all the better. But I have different taste in music than most so found it helpful to supply my own. After awhile in fact I started listening to a book instead. Kept my mind occupied. I balanced the speakers on my chest and used my iPod.

If you're REALLY anxious you might try an anti-anxiety med, at least for the initial visits. Ask your docs about this for sure.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll get through it with flying colors. (or, for Jayne, colours...)



David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18