I would think that folks who go in for Sado-Masochistic "activities" would be well-prepared for this <big grin>.

They didn't prepare me for this, but I am a trusting soul (to some extent), and was still recovering from my surgeries, so I just went along with the whole thing. In fact, they had some name for the session that implied I would be in a conference around a table (Development of Radiation Plan, or something like that...).

The only thing was, when two techs had me down on the table for some sort of trial run and the mask fitting, they mentioned that they would be doing the tattoo later and even showed me the kit; I said "Why not now, while we are all assembled here, you have the kit, you have the Nuke Machine aimed and you have me strapped down so I can't escape...?". They looked at each other, opened the kit and had at it!

I didn't get a tattoo. I told my college student mom was getting a tattoo (very sore subject in our house), but they marked the mask instead. If they give me the mask, I will put in near the casts of my teeth they made so they could create my flouride trays. They all look creepy enough for Halloween.

We are, indeed, all different. John acclimated to the mask routine very quickly, but to this day, if the CT\Pet machine is a small tube, he will refuse to get in and walk out of the room. Amy in the Ozarks

My mask experience was simlar but the cut holes for my eyes, nostrels and mouth. Plus I had to put the "popsicle" in my mouth during radiation. It kept my mouth and tongue exactly in the same position during treatment.

I also got the "strap" to pull my shoulders out of the way during the radiation process. This is accomplished by tying the strap to a wrist running down below your feet with your knees slightly bent and up to the other wrist. Then by straightening you knees it pulls down on your arms, shoulders, etc. Fun times!

Let's hope we don't scare her, as Gary is worried about, because I would hate to have that happen. I just know that I handled everything they came at me with in a very dignified, calm manner............except that mask fitting. I was unprepared for it, had been told nothing in advance, and it was just "done" to me rather then explained in steps as it took place. If I had had this website to reference ahead of time, I wouldn't have had that bad experience.

David,
I empathasize with your point but my health care providers did prepare me very thoroughly on exactly what to expect. The tech who made the mask was very friendly and informative. There were no surprises. Maybe that's one of the advantages of going to a CCC for treatment.

Amy I think you have MRI machines confused with the PET or PET/CT. The PET is just a giant donut like a CT machine. The MRI is the long tight tube in a large cube. They do have open type MRI machines but their image quality is not as good as the full magnet nitrogen cooled ones, such as the Siemens or GE machines.

Minniea, I had to have 2 masks made because the first one didn't turn out right.

And I did get a pinpoint tattoo - but the laser reference points were post-it dots that were scotch taped on ;-)

Stoj,
I LOVED IMRT - other than it saving my life (details) it also gave me a very reasonable quality of life back which I enjoy very much today. I have almost normal saliva, taste, etc. Other than some minor muscle damage and an occasional neck spasm that's about it.

I didn't like the side effects during treatment either but it sure beats death which would have been a sure thing thing without it. There are many here who had a much tougher time than I did. A few had an easier time as well. I didn't have a PEG tube or Amofostine. But make no mistake about it - radiation therapy is a very difficult treatment - much tougher than surgery.

Getting fitted was no big deal. I also hate my mask, but love it at the same time. It was so instrumental in saving my life. Being strapped to the table for extended periods gets very tiresome. you must have a sense of humor about the whole thing to get through the 35 treatments. Some smash their masks. I still have mine and intend to keep it until 5 years is up.

I kept the mask for a while and was going to keep it until the 5 years was up, but then I got married and when I kept getting asked what we can get rid of, I didn't think the local charity would take the mask as a donation so I finally decided to toss it. It was a good healing moment.

Jim

Thank you all for your posts.
My husband had the mask made today without any problems. It helps that we know the staff well since we both work in radiology.
He sees the GI doctor tomorrow for a pre op visit prior to getting his PEG, which will be in 5 days.
PLUS...2 more dental appts next week, too.
Therapy to start on 2/20/07..hopefully.

Gary............two mask fittings?? That would have put me over the edge for sure! Every patient that my doctors office sends my way for support, the first thing I talk to them about is the "making of the mask", as I call it. It really had that huge of an effect on me, which is silly considering the horrific surgery I endured. Go figure.