Let’s talk
about side effects, shall we? More
specifically radiation therapy side effects, since I covered most of my
chemotherapy side effects in previous blogs.
If you check
out the cancer.net site regarding radiation, it gives a colorful list of possible
side effects, both short term and long term, of treatment. Some of the short term effects of obvious;
skin irritation (dryness, itching, blisters, peeling, soreness – all of which I
have) and fatigue. Fatigue was one side
effect that didn’t hit me as hard with radiation as it did with chemo,
thankfully. I am still struggling this
week to get out of bed, but part of that is I am having trouble sleeping
because of the discomfort under my arm from my burns. Otherwise, the fatigue hasn’t been too bad.
As far as long
term side effects, it’s still a little early to tell. The list from cancer.net is as follows, along
with some side notes from yours truly.
Radiation
therapy aimed at the chest may cause these side effects:
Difficulty
swallowing – no difficulty swallowing, but I have had a sore throat for 2
weeks, which the doc said is from the radiation hitting the lymph node in my neck.
Shortness of
breath – nah, none of this.
Breast or
nipple soreness – no boobs, so no problem!
Shoulder
stiffness – yes, yes, yes! Dear God, both of my shoulders are a mess! I
am also having some sharp chest pains on the cancer side, which just started
this week. Since I do not have any more
treatments, I have to make a call to the radiation oncologist to see if he has
any thoughts on this. If I had to guess,
it’s muscle pain from my shoulders and neck being so goddamn tight.
Cough,
fever, and fullness of the chest, known as radiation pneumonitis. This happens
between 2 weeks and 6 months after radiation therapy. – I’ve had an
on and off-dry cough, but the doctor doesn’t think it’s anything to worry
about. We are keeping an eye on it.
Radiation
fibrosis, which causes permanent lung scars from untreated radiation
pneumonitis. The radiation oncologist knows how to lower the risk of fibrosis. – see above.
One thing they
don’t mention is the cording and the lymphedema. I already had cording from surgery, since my
surgery including taking out lymph nodes.
The cord I had after surgery was wicked, and my therapist had worked it
out quite a bit before radiation even started, but warned me it could get back
again once I began treatment. Today at
PT, she took a look and it wasn’t horrible, but she couldn’t thoroughly check
as much as she wanted to because my chest and armpit and basically ground meat.
So, she didn’t want to mess with the area and risk breaking open my skin or
popping my blisters.
As for lymphedema,
I was hoping to avoid it given that my lymph nodes tested negative during
surgery, and I didn’t have to have any additional taken out. I noticed a week ago my arm and fingers on
the left side were swollen, but I’ll be honest, I was in denial. Oh, can’t get my wedding ring off… meh, I
must just be too hot… it’s the weather.
Of course, when it cooled off I still couldn’t get my ring off… whoops. I so badly didn’t want lymphedema. Today at PT, the therapist confirmed she
thinks I am starting to get it. She gave
me some short term compression sleeves for my arms to wear for the next few
days to see if it helps, as well as athletic tape on my hand since my hand
seems to be the worst of it. She
massaged the area today and it made the swelling go down significantly just in
that short time. I am hopeful I won’t
have to wear a compression sleeve for the rest of my life.
All in all, my
first week without radiation hasn’t been life-altering in any way. Physical therapy sucked, but only because my
skin is so painful and damaged right now.
Once I am a little more healed PT will work wonders on the cording and
lymphedema, and it’ll get my arm range of motion where it needs to be.
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