You will be learning a lot of new things over the next six weeks or so. You will find out if you're claustrophobic as being strapped down to the table inside that mask that doesn't let you move (any) is scary for some people. If you already know that you are, then tell your radiation oncologist so they can address it from the start. I am not claustrophobic and it didn't bother me being strapped down to the table. It was uncomfortable at about week two of treatment because the face can swell a little (which tightens the mask). But by week three I had lost a little weight (you will too) so the mask wasn't tight anymore.

Get yourself some Aquaphor (or Walmart's generic) and use it every day during radiation; it will help keep the skin soft and help avoid sores caused by the radiation.

There's lots more you will learn along the way.

Good luck, you will do just fine.

Tony

Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)

09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0.
11/13 start rads, no chemo
12/13 taste gone, dry mouth,
02/14 hair slowly returning
05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps.
01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter.
12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good