radiotherapy planning

Today I had another appointment at the hospital – the planning of my radiotherapy. I would call it preparation rather than planning. Items done at the appointment today;

• Mask created of my face/shoulders/neck – this mask is made of a plastic mesh material and will be used each time I have radiotherapy. The mask is meant to position my neck/head in the same location each time so that the radiotherapy doses are accurate each time. The mask was made with me laying on the tray with my chin pointing to the ceiling as far as I could. Then a pliable warm mesh was added over my head and about 8 hands then continually padded it around me until the mesh had hardened.
• Initial measurements/markings performed – With my mask on, strapped in – it is so tight that I can’t not speak. I need to stay in the same position the entire time and obviously with the mask I cannot move my head. Various measurements were taken by my radiotherapy team, and markings made on my body. I currently have 3 ‘crosses’ on my torso and also 3 ‘tattoos’ (3 black dots) in the centre of each cross. The tattoos were news to me, I was not aware that was happening until seconds before the needle was inserted! Another memento eh? 🙂
• Baseline CT scan – Again with my mask strapped on I had another CT scan. This scan will be used as a baseline for my radiotherapy treatment.