 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | AndreaEve,
I have a neighbor whose 93 yr old mom (that's right 93) is just starting rad Tx for oral cancer. The docs also told her no surgery and no chemo. She is wearing the mask and I know her. She is one tough lady and I hope she will remain tough throughout her Tx. She is being treated in Jacksonville, Fl so I won't be able to physically be with her but I have spent many hours preparing her and her caregivers as to what to expect. At first her daughters didn't tell her what was going on. I mean nothing, not even that she had cancer. She was even about to begin her 30 IMRT sessions and she still was totally unaware of what lay ahead. Finally I convinced them to tell her and she was pissed they kept her in the dark.
We all wore the mask and we all survived. I have read of some that needed to be calmed down before each session so I'm sure that's available. My heart was pounding the frist time they clamped me down but the next time I was prepared and it didn't bother me anymore. I also listened to loud music which helped take my mind away.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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