Hi Sabrina,
no need to be embarrassed! I just wanted it over with also and in addition to them switching LINAC's in the middle of treatment (I was being treated on the "research" machine), the "new" machine kept breaking down. Several times they had to cancel because of machine downtime. I also went through the reboot stuff and the drawn out treatment. I was a little frustrated during this period.

My mask covered my shoulders so there were no other straps involved. I lost so much weight towards the end I could move around in the mask a little. In the beginning the mask was so tight my skin would pop through the holes and when they took the mask off it looked like I had scales like a fish.

I had really great techs -they were always kind and compassionate - they always came into the room immediately afterwards to release me. They went the distance to make me comfortable - always had extra pillows and blankets ready.

My primary tech was receiving her training at the same time that I worked for Siemens (and that was back in the 70's).

I used to play Gospel music (Andre Crouch - "Mercy" CD) at full blast the whole time I was being treated - same CD every day (probably drove them nuts). They had to turn the intercom off because the other patients could hear it down the hall.

I spent a lot of time praying, talking and listening to God during those sessions and it really helped me to get through it. The rad sessions were the easy part. Alternately I slept through some of the treatments.