Talk Cancer

Question:

Over the course of two years my mother had two surgeries — the first removed her left lung due to cancer (not the standard smokers’ kind, a rare metastasis of salivary gland cancer instead), and the second removed a largish mass under her left jawbone (the primary cancer site, it is hoped).  She then underwent six weeks of radiation which included both sites.   It has been a couple of months since radiation was completed.  She went from being weak and nauseous to feeling the best she has in some time. Then, over the course of a couple of days, the skin of her torso and upper arms and legs became very painful — tingling and prickly, like pins being stuck in her, she said.  The sensation of clothing and movement were difficult.  This feeling lasted about two weeks, then totally disappeared. She has seen her doctor, but has not gotten this explained to her satisfaction.  Has anyone else experienced this or have any insight? Thanks, Lori

Response:

Hi, I have experiences, but no insight. I’m a 32 year old male who had 22 radiation treatments to my neck and chest area.  My last treatment was 10/10/1997. Although it took some time for my throat to heal (ouch), overall I, too, felt pretty good (comparatively speaking).  My energy levels also rose.  However, for the passed two weeks, I’ve been feeling more and more fatigued.  My neck and chest muscles have been feeling very sore and have even cramped from time to time.  My mouth and throat are always dry and I’ve learned to have a glass of water available during every meal. I also wake up several times each night in order to drink some water. Strange stuff, this radiation. My doctor and I haven’t spoken about this yet, and my next appointment isn’t until January.  Maybe then I’ll have some insight, but I wouldn’t bank on it. Good luck to you guys. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It has been a couple of months since radiation was completed.  She went from being weak and nauseous to feeling the best she has in some time. Then, over the course of a couple of days, the skin of her torso and upper arms and legs became very painful — tingling and prickly, like pins being stuck in her, she said.  The sensation of clothing and movement were difficult.  This feeling lasted about two weeks, then totally disappeared.

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