Did you keep your mask?
Comments
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mask
When you did your treatments did you have to wear the mask every time? or was there any times they let you do the treatments without the mask? And how's everything going for you now, if you've finished all your treatments. I just finished all mine and had my last one two weeks ago, how long will my throat be burning and be able to eat again, or how long until the pain goes away?? And If you were on an morphine or drugs were they hard to come off of?
Matt.0 -
I know the feeling.connie_62257 said:im on my 2nd week i do take something ...i call it the chill pill. i wouldnt be able to put that mask on without it..lol and when im done im gonna keep mine and paint the dang thing hang it on my wall..........lmao
I took
I know the feeling.
I took zanex the first week.
Finally I could handle the anxiety( not completely, but enough to focus on the process ans not my anxiety )finished the radiation and chemo begining of april 2009
Good luck to you...Blue Skies...Richard0 -
I kept my mask as well. IMattZ28 said:mask
When you did your treatments did you have to wear the mask every time? or was there any times they let you do the treatments without the mask? And how's everything going for you now, if you've finished all your treatments. I just finished all mine and had my last one two weeks ago, how long will my throat be burning and be able to eat again, or how long until the pain goes away?? And If you were on an morphine or drugs were they hard to come off of?
Matt.
I kept my mask as well. I had to wear my mask for every treatment. I completed my radiation in 2003 but it still remains a vivid memory. The burning and pain in your throat and mouth will persist for months but you should be able to eat within a month or two. I was oxycodone and hydrocodone but due to the fact that they made me feel terrible I would wait until I was in excruiating pain before I took it. I had no trouble getting off the pain meds. Did you receive amifostine?0 -
any help you needantmeme17 said:PET SCAN
HELLO TO MY 1 ST. REPLY
YES I JUST HAD A PET SCAN 3-4 WEEKS AGO ! IT LIGHTS UP ANY AND ALL CANCER THAT MAY BE IN YOUR BODY ? I HAVE NASOPHARENGEAL STAGE 3
WORST THINGS THEY TOLD ME IS : YOU HAVE TO GET ALL YOUR TEETH PULLED AND THEN YOUR HAIR WILL MOST SURLEY FALL OUT , AND YOU ARE GONNA HATE THE DR.S AND WISH YOU WERE DEAD AND THEN HE SAID THE RADIATION WILL BURN YOUR TASTEBUDS OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND THE SALIVA GLANDS TOO ! SO, I ASKED FOR HONESTY AND THAT MASK ? O M G !!!!!!!!!!! I CANT HARDLY BREATHE OUT OF MY NOSE AND WHEN THEY PUT THAT THING ON MY FACE I THOUGHT I WOULD SUFFOCATE AND I CRIED SO HARD AND SHOOK SO BAD AND SHE FINALLY TOOK ONE OF THE PADS ?OUT AND THAT GAVE ME ABOUT 1/8 OF AN INCH SPACE AWAY FROM MY MOUYH ! IT WAS HORRIBLE ! I START CHEMO NEXT THURS. JUNE 11 TH AND MAYBE MONDAY WITH THE RADIATION >? THIS ALL STARTED WITH A LUMP ON MY LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK , WORSE PART OF ALL , I HAVE NO INSURANCE , BUT THAT IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES NOW ! I JUST RECEIVED MY DISSABILITY DEC. 2008 WITH NO INS. BECAUSE I AM 61 YRS YOUNG AND GOT THE DISS. IN 4 MONTHS TIME ! SOOOOOOOO>????
WHAT A GREAT RETIREMENT PARTY THIS IS GOING TO BE ! I HAVE TO HAVE 6 WEEKS OF RADIATION AND 3 CHEMO TREATMENTS AND AFTER THE RAD.IS OVER I HAVE 3 MORE DOUBLE DOSES??
MY DR. SAID I WONT HAVE A FEEDING TUBE BUT WILL BE ON ALL LIQUIDS? I GUESS I WILL LIVE OFF MY FAT ?? I HAVE BEEN HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME WITH ALL THIS HORRIBLE NEWS ! I KNOW IT COULD BE WORSE BUT GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSH ! I AM SUCH A CRY BABY THESE DAYS AND THE FEAR IS BEING PRAYED AWAY {THANK GOD ! } SO ?? ANY HELP ANYONE CAN GIVE ME AS TO HOW FAST I WILL GO DOWN HILLL AND HOW FAST I WILL START BACK UP TOWARD THE GOOD SIDE ? AND WHEN WILL I FEEL LIKE LIVING AGAIN ? MY NIECE {MY GODCHILKD} IS GETTING MARRIED IN DEC???????HELP
keep your head up i was stage 4 with no chance and i BEAT IT !!!! if you need any help with any aspect of the treatment or any emotional support i am here for you0 -
Dear antmeme17, hang in there! It's not the end of your life, even if you may think that at times. I found a wonderful product called Metagenics Medical Food. I found I was malnourished with Boost and Ensure and that is not what you need when you are trying to heal from chemo and radiation therapies. I drink it mixed with Ben and Jerry's Phish Food ice cream, whole milk, a banana and a 1/4 whole peeled pineapple. Yummy - and it provides you with all the nutrients, minerals and vitamins you need every day as well as about 1500 calories. Believe it or not, if you can keep your weight up you will heal much faster. In the middle of healing time you'll feel like it'll never end but what kept me going is "this, too, shall pass". And it does. I am now 2 and 1/4 years past my chemo/rad therapy for stage 4 tonsil cancer. I am now able to eat some soft foods as well as my Metagenics suppliment drink and am no longer struggling with malnutrition. Keep your chin up and smile, every day. You'll feel better and so will those around you. Keep your godchild's upcoming wedding in front of you as a goal to work toward so you don't get bogged down with the day to day trials. Keep us posted with your progress. What are you going to wear?antmeme17 said:PET SCAN
HELLO TO MY 1 ST. REPLY
YES I JUST HAD A PET SCAN 3-4 WEEKS AGO ! IT LIGHTS UP ANY AND ALL CANCER THAT MAY BE IN YOUR BODY ? I HAVE NASOPHARENGEAL STAGE 3
WORST THINGS THEY TOLD ME IS : YOU HAVE TO GET ALL YOUR TEETH PULLED AND THEN YOUR HAIR WILL MOST SURLEY FALL OUT , AND YOU ARE GONNA HATE THE DR.S AND WISH YOU WERE DEAD AND THEN HE SAID THE RADIATION WILL BURN YOUR TASTEBUDS OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND THE SALIVA GLANDS TOO ! SO, I ASKED FOR HONESTY AND THAT MASK ? O M G !!!!!!!!!!! I CANT HARDLY BREATHE OUT OF MY NOSE AND WHEN THEY PUT THAT THING ON MY FACE I THOUGHT I WOULD SUFFOCATE AND I CRIED SO HARD AND SHOOK SO BAD AND SHE FINALLY TOOK ONE OF THE PADS ?OUT AND THAT GAVE ME ABOUT 1/8 OF AN INCH SPACE AWAY FROM MY MOUYH ! IT WAS HORRIBLE ! I START CHEMO NEXT THURS. JUNE 11 TH AND MAYBE MONDAY WITH THE RADIATION >? THIS ALL STARTED WITH A LUMP ON MY LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK , WORSE PART OF ALL , I HAVE NO INSURANCE , BUT THAT IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES NOW ! I JUST RECEIVED MY DISSABILITY DEC. 2008 WITH NO INS. BECAUSE I AM 61 YRS YOUNG AND GOT THE DISS. IN 4 MONTHS TIME ! SOOOOOOOO>????
WHAT A GREAT RETIREMENT PARTY THIS IS GOING TO BE ! I HAVE TO HAVE 6 WEEKS OF RADIATION AND 3 CHEMO TREATMENTS AND AFTER THE RAD.IS OVER I HAVE 3 MORE DOUBLE DOSES??
MY DR. SAID I WONT HAVE A FEEDING TUBE BUT WILL BE ON ALL LIQUIDS? I GUESS I WILL LIVE OFF MY FAT ?? I HAVE BEEN HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME WITH ALL THIS HORRIBLE NEWS ! I KNOW IT COULD BE WORSE BUT GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSH ! I AM SUCH A CRY BABY THESE DAYS AND THE FEAR IS BEING PRAYED AWAY {THANK GOD ! } SO ?? ANY HELP ANYONE CAN GIVE ME AS TO HOW FAST I WILL GO DOWN HILLL AND HOW FAST I WILL START BACK UP TOWARD THE GOOD SIDE ? AND WHEN WILL I FEEL LIKE LIVING AGAIN ? MY NIECE {MY GODCHILKD} IS GETTING MARRIED IN DEC???????HELP0 -
Did you keep your mask?
YES indeed, i kept both of my maskes for throphies, I also asked to keep my pig-line, but because of DHEC regulations i couldnt get my pig-line (chemo port injection site) MY masks remind me that cancer cant run my life!0 -
I'm a newbie--skull cancer that didn't (thank God) hit the brain.Weezer said:the mask
Dec 30th was my last head/neck radiation treatment and I had to force myself to go to radiation, sick or not as I didn't want to prolong treatments any further. My last 2 days were "make-up" days for days I missed earlier due to severe nausea, vomitting, etc. When I was done, I was thrilled to get the mask so I could show my family and friends what it was like to be bolted to a table with this mask ... more like a cage ... unable to move or swallow!
I think of my mask/cage as a trophy, like an Academy or something, for enduring one of the toughest experiences in my life. It's hard to describe to others what it's like, but showing them the cage, letting them put it on helps them understand how scary it can be. They always ask, "Does it hurt?" and it's hard to explain the sense of panic from confinement, feeling nothing during the procedure, but the pain from the accumulation of radiation exposure.
Thank God I made it! The burns and blisters are no longer bleeding and I'm starting to form new skin. I still can't taste food, but at least I can keep it down so I'm regaining some strength.
I will keep my trophy as a reminder of what I, we, endured last year and the hope and promise of a better year, this year!
Happy New Year to all of you and Hope this will be a better, healthier year for all!
Radiation therapy only, 7 weeks 5/week.
They told me to expect massive fatigue after therapy over. Further, that recovery might begin after two months.
Fatigue and muscle weakness along with coordination difficulties still with me ten weeks after radiation finished.
What was your experience?0 -
kept my maskkatartizo2000 said:Yes, I kept my mask.
It's in
Yes, I kept my mask.
It's in the closet. Unbelieveably, as I have told my story from 10 years ago, people have not believed me... can you imagine? They think I look too healthy. So I use it as evidence!
My kids play with it sometimes.
yes I kept my mask look at it every night before I go to sleep keeps me in check as to what is really important0 -
I'm keeping my maskdiamond-n-the-rough said:Did you keep your mask?
YES indeed, i kept both of my maskes for throphies, I also asked to keep my pig-line, but because of DHEC regulations i couldnt get my pig-line (chemo port injection site) MY masks remind me that cancer cant run my life!
I just finished my last radiation treatment yesterday and I kept my mask. I have several reasons for keeping it. I want a constant reminder of how precious life is and that no matter what your circumstances are you need to live each day like it could be your last. It will also serve as a daily reminder that I need to take good care of my health, eat better, exercise, etc. I can also use it to show any of my friends and family who still smoke what could happen to them.
I'm not sure where I will keep it but I do know I want to decorate it with bright colors to make it a little less scary to look at
Or maybe I could put dried flowers in the holes and make a floral arrangement - haha!!
It's just such an incredible feeling to look at it and know I will no longer have to be bolted to the table with this thing on my face. I feel like I am a VERY lucky person.0 -
I kept mine as wellGlenna M said:I'm keeping my mask
I just finished my last radiation treatment yesterday and I kept my mask. I have several reasons for keeping it. I want a constant reminder of how precious life is and that no matter what your circumstances are you need to live each day like it could be your last. It will also serve as a daily reminder that I need to take good care of my health, eat better, exercise, etc. I can also use it to show any of my friends and family who still smoke what could happen to them.
I'm not sure where I will keep it but I do know I want to decorate it with bright colors to make it a little less scary to look at Or maybe I could put dried flowers in the holes and make a floral arrangement - haha!!
It's just such an incredible feeling to look at it and know I will no longer have to be bolted to the table with this thing on my face. I feel like I am a VERY lucky person.
I thought of mine as a very important part of my Cancer-Fighting-Team. Thanks to that mask they were able to deliver precise doses to precise locations within 1/2mm. accuracy in 12 zones for each of 35 daily treatments. Thanks to that technology, which includes the mask, now almost 2 years later I am NED, I have about 90% of my taste and saliva back, and I am loving life.
So, though they can be a horrible challenge at first, imagine the treatments without them.
Congratulations again.............JK0 -
There is a really cool online art exhibit of radiation masks. Check this out!
http://www.courageunmasked.org/gallery.php?p=all
My husband just finished treatment 3 days ago. He did keep his. I am hoping he will make something of it too.
Karen0 -
I did not keep mine. ItSmithMama2 said:There is a really cool online art exhibit of radiation masks. Check this out!
http://www.courageunmasked.org/gallery.php?p=all
My husband just finished treatment 3 days ago. He did keep his. I am hoping he will make something of it too.
Karen
I did not keep mine. It represented to me all the moments of stark fear that I had to endure. I had no choice. A commitment had been made. I said I would do what ever it takes. Each day those words haunted me. Never getting better.
I looked at some of the masks in the gallery you posted. I am surprised at how the majority of the masks depict a good vibe or happy face so to speak.
Only one mask came across with with any emotion that I could relate too. Must be why I am having a hard time feeling better. It does give me courage when I read of good things about these masks. That mask represents to me a saying that is in life very true. It only takes on aw shucks to wipe out a hundred atta boy's It is very apparent I need to get through this stage of my recovery.0 -
cwcadcwcad said:I did not keep mine. It
I did not keep mine. It represented to me all the moments of stark fear that I had to endure. I had no choice. A commitment had been made. I said I would do what ever it takes. Each day those words haunted me. Never getting better.
I looked at some of the masks in the gallery you posted. I am surprised at how the majority of the masks depict a good vibe or happy face so to speak.
Only one mask came across with with any emotion that I could relate too. Must be why I am having a hard time feeling better. It does give me courage when I read of good things about these masks. That mask represents to me a saying that is in life very true. It only takes on aw shucks to wipe out a hundred atta boy's It is very apparent I need to get through this stage of my recovery.
Bad things happen to good people, but nothing happens with out God knowing it and giving you the strength to go through it. Happiness, laughter, is some of the best healing medicine you can take when having cancer. As far as fear goes we all have fear, fear of the cancer coming back, fear of dyeing, and fear of what is next. I learned to put though fears in Gods hand and look forward, now just being with my wife and grand children is all a man could ask for in life. You made the right choice and you are here to tell about it; you did not do it alone God was there too all the way giving you strength, and covering your fears.0 -
Of course God has been withHondo said:cwcad
Bad things happen to good people, but nothing happens with out God knowing it and giving you the strength to go through it. Happiness, laughter, is some of the best healing medicine you can take when having cancer. As far as fear goes we all have fear, fear of the cancer coming back, fear of dyeing, and fear of what is next. I learned to put though fears in Gods hand and look forward, now just being with my wife and grand children is all a man could ask for in life. You made the right choice and you are here to tell about it; you did not do it alone God was there too all the way giving you strength, and covering your fears.
Of course God has been with me. I seek and welcome God into my life. Without the prayers of family and friends I would not be here. I do have a tendency to not see what God has given me. Which produces more guilt which in turn brings more prayer. Letting go is easy. Not taking the guilt back on is what I seem to have problems with.
I have only been a member for a short time but from the moment I entered I have felt at home. I feel better every time I post. Thanks Hondo and all the members of the forum.0 -
So glad to see a IVthunder101 said:any help you need
keep your head up i was stage 4 with no chance and i BEAT IT !!!! if you need any help with any aspect of the treatment or any emotional support i am here for you
Woo Thunder 101, lol this is Paaatriot101 (Coincidence on the 101?) I was so glad to see that you said you beat IV. Long story short I have just been diagnosed stage IV B, and have been unable to find anyone who had beat that stage:) You Just made my night, cool on the 101.0 -
I had been counting downcwcad said:Of course God has been with
Of course God has been with me. I seek and welcome God into my life. Without the prayers of family and friends I would not be here. I do have a tendency to not see what God has given me. Which produces more guilt which in turn brings more prayer. Letting go is easy. Not taking the guilt back on is what I seem to have problems with.
I have only been a member for a short time but from the moment I entered I have felt at home. I feel better every time I post. Thanks Hondo and all the members of the forum.
I had been counting down each radiation treatment until the last. The week I started my last chemo my Oncologist sat me down and told me that the worst was over, one more chemo and then healing. (2nd chemo toxic and had very bad time) That last week of chemo and the few rads into the next week I actually found myself feeling good, anticipating the finish line I guess. After that last rad I knew that each day I would feel just a little bit better than the one before. They asked me if I wanted my mask, I told them to throw it away! They did give me a "certificate of completion" which I gladly accepted but haven't given that mask a second thought. It's time to get my wife and kids back to normal. They gave up any normalcy of life for 3 months while I went through this and now it's time for me to put everything back on track as soon as possible. I could not have done it without any of them. I had to push the Doc a bit to get my PEG out ASAP but that went away on Friday. Been back to work 3 weeks. Been playing ice hockey with my 10 year old 3 weeks. I just want to put this behind me.
Mike0 -
Landranger25Landranger25 said:I had been counting down
I had been counting down each radiation treatment until the last. The week I started my last chemo my Oncologist sat me down and told me that the worst was over, one more chemo and then healing. (2nd chemo toxic and had very bad time) That last week of chemo and the few rads into the next week I actually found myself feeling good, anticipating the finish line I guess. After that last rad I knew that each day I would feel just a little bit better than the one before. They asked me if I wanted my mask, I told them to throw it away! They did give me a "certificate of completion" which I gladly accepted but haven't given that mask a second thought. It's time to get my wife and kids back to normal. They gave up any normalcy of life for 3 months while I went through this and now it's time for me to put everything back on track as soon as possible. I could not have done it without any of them. I had to push the Doc a bit to get my PEG out ASAP but that went away on Friday. Been back to work 3 weeks. Been playing ice hockey with my 10 year old 3 weeks. I just want to put this behind me.
Mike
Mike
That is good news glad to hear you are now one of the old guys with everything behind you. Keep up the positive attitude it will help you heal faster; take care may God bless you and all your faimily0 -
IVpaaatriot101 said:So glad to see a IV
Woo Thunder 101, lol this is Paaatriot101 (Coincidence on the 101?) I was so glad to see that you said you beat IV. Long story short I have just been diagnosed stage IV B, and have been unable to find anyone who had beat that stage:) You Just made my night, cool on the 101.
Me too. I had stage iv golf ball size tumor growing on my right tonsil. 2 chemos and 39 radiation treatments in june, July Aug of 2008 and I am still hear.
viking0 -
Hi Antmeme17,antmeme17 said:PET SCAN
HELLO TO MY 1 ST. REPLY
YES I JUST HAD A PET SCAN 3-4 WEEKS AGO ! IT LIGHTS UP ANY AND ALL CANCER THAT MAY BE IN YOUR BODY ? I HAVE NASOPHARENGEAL STAGE 3
WORST THINGS THEY TOLD ME IS : YOU HAVE TO GET ALL YOUR TEETH PULLED AND THEN YOUR HAIR WILL MOST SURLEY FALL OUT , AND YOU ARE GONNA HATE THE DR.S AND WISH YOU WERE DEAD AND THEN HE SAID THE RADIATION WILL BURN YOUR TASTEBUDS OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND THE SALIVA GLANDS TOO ! SO, I ASKED FOR HONESTY AND THAT MASK ? O M G !!!!!!!!!!! I CANT HARDLY BREATHE OUT OF MY NOSE AND WHEN THEY PUT THAT THING ON MY FACE I THOUGHT I WOULD SUFFOCATE AND I CRIED SO HARD AND SHOOK SO BAD AND SHE FINALLY TOOK ONE OF THE PADS ?OUT AND THAT GAVE ME ABOUT 1/8 OF AN INCH SPACE AWAY FROM MY MOUYH ! IT WAS HORRIBLE ! I START CHEMO NEXT THURS. JUNE 11 TH AND MAYBE MONDAY WITH THE RADIATION >? THIS ALL STARTED WITH A LUMP ON MY LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK , WORSE PART OF ALL , I HAVE NO INSURANCE , BUT THAT IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES NOW ! I JUST RECEIVED MY DISSABILITY DEC. 2008 WITH NO INS. BECAUSE I AM 61 YRS YOUNG AND GOT THE DISS. IN 4 MONTHS TIME ! SOOOOOOOO>????
WHAT A GREAT RETIREMENT PARTY THIS IS GOING TO BE ! I HAVE TO HAVE 6 WEEKS OF RADIATION AND 3 CHEMO TREATMENTS AND AFTER THE RAD.IS OVER I HAVE 3 MORE DOUBLE DOSES??
MY DR. SAID I WONT HAVE A FEEDING TUBE BUT WILL BE ON ALL LIQUIDS? I GUESS I WILL LIVE OFF MY FAT ?? I HAVE BEEN HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME WITH ALL THIS HORRIBLE NEWS ! I KNOW IT COULD BE WORSE BUT GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSH ! I AM SUCH A CRY BABY THESE DAYS AND THE FEAR IS BEING PRAYED AWAY {THANK GOD ! } SO ?? ANY HELP ANYONE CAN GIVE ME AS TO HOW FAST I WILL GO DOWN HILLL AND HOW FAST I WILL START BACK UP TOWARD THE GOOD SIDE ? AND WHEN WILL I FEEL LIKE LIVING AGAIN ? MY NIECE {MY GODCHILKD} IS GETTING MARRIED IN DEC???????HELP
I was
Hi Antmeme17,
I was wondering how you are doing now? I know you made this post back in June so I wanted to see if you had started treatments and how that is going?
My mom was diagnosed with nasopharengeal cancer about a month ago and starts treatments on thursday. Any insight that I could pass onto her would be great!0
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