#73804 04-28-2008 10:08 AM | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 | Hi all. Brother is doing well, going in for rehydration drips and immune shots. Still eating all that he wants by mouth.
I've been trying to read as much as possible here, but keep seeing a "mask" being mentioned and wonder what that is?
CG to Brother - 56 yrs - DX 3/17/2008 - SCC mouth, nodes and lungs.
T4N2M1 Taxotrene (1X), Cisplatin (4x) 5FU (4x)
Tx began 4/10/08 - told 5/28/08 time for hospice - he passed on June 5, 2008.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | 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.
| | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 Likes: 1 | One little add here. The radiation machine, specifically IMRT has a focus point with a tolerance of 1 mm therefore making it imperative that the patient is in the same place, same position every time. When I was asked if I wanted to keep mine, I told the rad tech only as long as it took me to get out back to the dumpster 
18 YEAR SURVIVOR
SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006.
No evidence of disease 2010
Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.
�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.�
Stephen Hawking | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 | Wow. Okay guys, thanks.
Gee, I hafta say... I am getting quite an education here, and one that I really didn't want or need.
We're supposed to find out if they want to pursue radiation after round 2 of chemo, which is supposed to happen in about two more weeks - so I guess we won't know for about another 4-6 weeks whether or not they want to do the radiation.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Last edited by Tizcolleen; 04-29-2008 03:32 AM. Reason: bad spelling
CG to Brother - 56 yrs - DX 3/17/2008 - SCC mouth, nodes and lungs.
T4N2M1 Taxotrene (1X), Cisplatin (4x) 5FU (4x)
Tx began 4/10/08 - told 5/28/08 time for hospice - he passed on June 5, 2008.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | While most of my radiation waiting room cohort planned on hanging their mask up on the wall as a trophy, I just finished making a smaller plaster mask covered with bright red stained glass mosaics to put inside my radiation mask as part of a mobile sculpture. (to evoke the red peeling skin/burns). My wife thought the treatment room looked eerie with its wall covered with the radiation masks like an avant garde art display.
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I don't know about anyone else, but where my mask touched my face is where i had the most radiation burns. I have my mask put away for Halloween so I can be in the next Halloween movie . LOL It sure looks like that guy.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Tiz,
Was your brother a tobacco user?
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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