Thanks, all, for words of encouragement and good humor. I'll be starting in a little over a week (I think), and feel well-armed with strategies for dealing with this! Drugs, music, meditation -- it'll be like the sixties. And for afterward: Halloween, Chia pet, earring tree, who knows? So many possibilities...

I highly recommend David Sedaris if you want a good laugh. Maybe not under the mask, though, you're probably right, mg...

Why complain about something that is needed for treatment and healing. Sure it might be uncomfortable but is necessary. Grin and bear it and things will improve daily.I had the mask like we all did but could grin and have a lugh going in and coming out. Use mind comtro; and you will win.. I have a slightly used mask for sale?? LOL

I was told that the initial mask fitting was the longest or toughest part of getting used to the mask. I had my mask made a couple days ago and it was very trying to say the least. It was nothing like having to put on a gas mask in Iraq, much worst. Ironically, both masks were both there to help save my life. I didn't think to look through the forums for information before hand.

Maybe, someone could hold a mask fitting training class. After all, knowing is half the battle right.

The worst part for me was the tube that I have to have in my mouth to hold my tongue in place. Anyone else have this? Makes my throat and mouth really dry. And yes I did the deep breathing through my nose as best I could.

Yes, Kenny, I have a block in my mouth to hold my mouth open and tongue down! Mine was trembling most of the time they were doing the mold (I guess my whole mouth was shaking a little -- it's hard to get it to open after my surgery). And yep, you have to breathe through your nose...and I thought it made it hard to swallow, too...

But we'll get through this! Count in two, out three...makes the time flow by...

When I had the treatment with the mask I had a sports type mouth guard in to keep my mouth closed, I had two grab handles postioned for me to grab hold of and my knees were bent and a rubber band used to keep them in place during treatment, then the Tecs Xrayed my head and neck before they started the damn machine to make sure that I was in a perfect position! It took all the Marine Corps decipline that I could muster to get thru the 20 minute treatment. Good luck and best wishes. Semper-Fi Bob

MightyMouse my daughter Brandy had the same diagnosis of SCC in the maxillary region and just finished her 6 week checkups after completing her 35 treatments on May 15, 2009. You need to be prepared as the treatments for you are somewhat different then a lot of the folks here as they target the roof of your mouth. So your facial area as well as your neck if they are targeting all your lymph nodes too will be affected and possibly have more burns in the face area too. Just to be prepared.

Bonnie

Bonnie -

Thanks for the heads up -- this is an unusual place to be targeting, the roof of the mouth. I finally have a start date: July 13, doing 30 treatments, concurrently with some chemo (Taxol and Carboplatin, once a week for six weeks). The RO has told me of possible side effects of the radiation -- fatigue, "sunburn" on my face, jaw tightening, that's about it. Luckily, they are not doing my nodes. I'm kind of nervous, but also ready to get going on this!

I'm glad to hear your daughter is done with her treatments and hope her 6-week checkup went well!