Jerry: My name's Jerry. Four years ago I was diagnosed with mouth cancer. At the time, I didn't know
what to expect during my hospital visits, so we're doing a short video today to try
and put some peoples' minds at ease, to show you exactly what happens when you have radiotherapy
for head and neck cancer.
I was diagnosed with mouth cancer. Went to the doctor with a small lump in my mouth,
and he sent me on for further tests at the hospital, and that came back within two weeks,
yes it was mouth cancer.
What you'll do initially, you'll come in, you'll have your scans done,
you'll have a CT scan, and you'll have a normal scan.
Then obviously they'll know where your cancer is.
Then they'll have the mask made, and then your mask is available for you every time
you go in and have your radiotherapy. I've got mine at home.
Some people want to keep it, some people say no. But I kept it.
The purpose of the mask is, you have to be kept still. The mask is clamped
but not in a horrible, medieval type way.
It's there so you don't move your head.
Radiographer: I'm just going to get the mask out of the oven.
Jerry: Everybody's cancer is different, everybody is an individual. Some people are very nervous,
and some people just ride it like they're getting the bus home. But everybody I speak
to, at the end, says it wasn't as bad as they thought it might be.
Anything you're not sure about, they want you to ask. So if you have any questions,
please ask a member of staff. They're so helpful.
When they actually put the material on your face to mould it into the mask, it just feels
warm and it's actually not a bad experience. Very much like when you get a heated towel
if you're on a long haul flight somewhere. You just lie there and think happy thoughts.
The mask is made for you, and then you have to wait for the mask to set.
They will put a small dot, a tattoo dot on your chest, so that they can line it up when you go in
for your treatment. And they put various pieces on there
that they need for alignment of the radiation.
It's over within a matter of minutes really, it's not a long, drawn out process.
And certainly not painful.
You are put in the CT scanning machine. Now obviously, when you're in the scan itself,
all the staff have to come out of the room. But they are there, and they do give you an
emergency button to press.
It's fairly open, you can see the machine working, and the machine actually sort of
whizzes around. If you look up, you can see the lights whizzing. It's not a bad experience.
It's very important with the mask, when it's fitted, to maintain the same weight.
If you start losing weight, the mask won't fit correctly. There are some days that you
won't feel like eating because of mouth ulcers and things.
A lot of people will have a food peg
put into their stomach. It helps you so much when you don't want to eat, to know that
you can just put your food through your peg.
So I'm just back from having my mask fitted for me, and that's all upstairs with the technical
team. They put all the bits and pieces together and tailor it all for your own special needs,
that you need for your radiotherapy. This usually takes around about two weeks.
It needs to be tailor made just for yourself and each individual person.
So I'll see you at radiotherapy.
The major concern for people having radiotherapy
is that people feel claustrophobic with the mask being fitted.
You can't move your head from side to side, you are restrained, because
if you start moving, obviously the beams will not be hitting the spot.
So you have to be kept still.
But it's important, once you get that first session out of the way, the claustrophobia...
...you don't really think about it.
Radiographer: Okay Jerry, if you're ready? Here we go, okay?
There you go, nice and straight.
Chin up a little.
Excellent. Just lie still there.
Jerry: You can hear people adjusting the machine, but obviously with the mask over you,
you can't quite see. But they do talk to you, and they do help you.
They put your head in a nice position, so you're comfortable.
They always explain exactly what they're doing.
And they really are superb at their job, so have faith in them.
The people that are doing the radiotherapy for you, they're on the other side.
You're constantly on their camera. And while they're doing that, they're actually scanning you
as well. And that is given to the doctor on a daily basis,
so they can monitor how things are going with your radiotherapy.
And again, if you need them, you can always wave your
hand, because you know they're constantly watching you.
Radiographer: Okay Jerry, we're just going to leave the room now. We'll be watching you all the time.
Radiographer: See you in a moment Jerry.
Jerry: When they leave the room, the machine will start up. It is noisy.
It's not horrendously noisy, but it does clank and bang about.
But you'll get to know over a period of time,
as the machine goes on, you'll get to know the sounds of the machine. And you'll actually
know when you're coming to the end of your session.
Because you've got no concept of time when you're in there.
When the actual treatment's happening, you cannot feel a thing.
You don't feel any heat, you feel absolutely nothing.
Radiographer: Well done Jerry, that's all done now. We'll just get you out of the shell.
Jerry: The only side effect you'll have straight away from the treatment is tiredness.
You will feel tired, and all I'd say is, if you feel tired in the afternoon, have a sleep.
Let your body tell you what it needs.
Jerry: I hope this video has been of help to you. I know I would have appreciated it during
my treatment time. For any other support or help, please contact Macmillan. Thank you.