 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | When radiation is going to be used as part of the cancer Tx to the neck area they make a mask which is molded to the patient's face. It is some what like a fencing mask in that it has tiny square holes so you can breath and see thru it. Once made the mask is placed over the patient's head and clamped down to the table where you lay to receive the radiation. It is clamped so tight that when each radiation session is complete your face has it's imprint that usually only lasts minutes. This clamping immobility allows the beam to be focused on killing areas without the concern of movement. We are all allowed to keep our buddies when the radiation is completed. I still have mine and I have no idea why.
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.
| 
