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Head & neck radiation side effects continue, especially swelling
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Apr 8, 2023 | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
That makes a lot of sense. It's never been explained to me that way, but a month for each week is absolutely more realistic sounding than 6 to 8 weeks altogether. The immediate effects did start to clear up after a few weeks initially so maybe that is what he meant but that's not how he presented it. My original release for work said I'd be out for 6 to 8 weeks after treatment ended. But here we are almost 12 weeks out and I'm actually starting to have a recurrence of radiation side effects and I'm nowhere near physically ready to return to work. I have blisters on my tongue again, I'm constantly fatigued, my taste is all wacky again...I just don't understand why these things that had gone away are coming back as if I'm actively being treated and have brought all this swelling with them. The only radiation side effect that hasn't started happening again is hair loss. But it also hasn't started to grow back in some areas.
Replies to "That makes a lot of sense. It's never been explained to me that way, but a..."
Jess, It’s been a little over a year now for you. We would imagine you are doing better. It is normally a long time to recovery and even two years or longer is more common than not. What you have been through has not been a picnic. If you have questions or concerns we are still here. Don’t hesitate to ask.
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The recovery takes longer than you may think. Some issues never recover so we just learn to live with it. I had nerve issues for years, bugs crawling on my face and neck that were not there. Very annoying. Swallow, teeth, taste, issues. Constant runny nose issues. Neck, tongue, and jaw cramps. Lack of saliva. All fun stuff. But over time (months and years) these issues subsided. I think the last to go were the arm tingles about twelve years out.
But that's me. You are unique in your cancer and treatments so your recovery will be unique as well. Everything you said that is happening to you is actually rather normal. It will get better. I will say that again, it will get better. You will adjust. It is rare that you can expect to be just as you were before the cancer so when you accept that, life gets easier. Two years out you will say to yourself, "I will never go through that again!" But five years out you will have a different point of view most likely.
Ewe! The blisters on the tongue! Yuck. I hated that too. They eventually stop cropping up. And the taste takes perhaps a year or more to get back on track. You might discover foods you never liked before whilst other favorites are no longer that appealing. That might be an age thing as well, not sure.
Good luck and we are here for you.