In addition to what Gill has described, I found it helped, when reaching the point at which I had to hold my breath, to visualise my chest being stationary and then count in seconds whilst keeping absolutely stock still. Being conscious of being a horizontal statue seemed to help.
It's a pity your hospital doesn't supply goggles to show breath control, as they really do help.
There was one occasion when the goggles were out of order, so the radiographers had to tell me when to 'hold'. Then they remained silent until the 'relax' command, which was a little disconcerting. Would it help you if you could ask the radiographers to give you more of a commentary? Say, after telling you to 'hold', could they count through the seconds for you until it's time to relax? Having something to concentrate on other than your actual breathing might help. It's also more reassuring if there is some form of monitoring to give you confidence.
Thank you. I'm going to ring the oncologist on Monday and ask to try it again. It would have helped I think if I could see what I was doing, but my hospital doesn't have the right machine where you can see if your breath is staying in the required zone. There's no reason why I can't do it I'm sure, I just didn't know the right way to do it! Thanks!
I had the test to try and hold my breath for the Breath Hold Radiotherapy today. I had a small 1cm tumour on my left breast which they removed with a lumpectomy in July. I had the test to see if I could hold my breath, but it kept leaking out from somewhere! I don't know where! I suspect they hadn't explained how to do it properly? I am normally a fit and well person and non smoker so I should have the lung capacity etc to be able to do this. Anyway, they tried for 4 times and it didn't work so they said I couldn't do it. I am very worried not that RT will damage my heart and lungs. They said the could 'put bits of lead' over places to prevent damage, but I wasn't filled with confidence. Am now thinking I won't have the RT. I am 51. Anyone else had this situation?