Has anyone experienced facial sensations

I've had something arise that I want to know if "my family" here has ever experienced.  I completed radiation and chemo for oralpharyngeal cancer the end of Oct 07.  Two or three months ago I started having a feathery sensation along the left side of my face and partly down the neck.  I had cancer in the left tonsil and wonder if there is a connection between the radiation and the feathery sensation.  I have a new primary care doctor and they have ordered an MRI - I wonder if it is necessary or if this is to be expected. a result of radiation - possible nerve damage.

Also, they did a blood workup yesterday and called today to tell me my white blood count is low.  Any ideas why - again, is this common after chemo and radiation?   Thanks all. 

Diana

Diane,

  My husband completed chemo and radiation a year ago for sinus cancer on the right side of his face.  Initally afterwwards he had a lot of tingling and a feeling like his skin was crawling on the right side of his scalp and ear.  That is better but now he has similar sensation on the left side of his face and neck.  He had most of his radiation to the right side, but had some on the left.  None of the doctors have ever really said what it could be, but we have kind of put it down to be neuropathy from the chemo and radiation.

 Kathy

Hello - Unfortunately there are sooooo many side effects to chemo and radiation.  I am not sure the doctors really know all of them.  They try to warn you but don't have a clue.  When you mention something to them they say that is from the treatment and you may have to live with it or it may take a year to clear up.  Not much help or hoe - hus?!?!

I agree with a previous - and it is difficult to do sometimes.  We need to be thankful that we are still here each day and to always remember there is someone much worse off on this board.  It is kind of like the old saying goes:    If everyone put there shoes in a pile - we would definitely want our shoes to walk that path again.

Good luck and God Bless to all.

Cheryl    Oklahoma City

On 3/28/2009 scootie45 wrote:

Diane,

  My husband completed chemo and radiation a year ago for sinus cancer on the right side of his face.  Initally afterwwards he had a lot of tingling and a feeling like his skin was crawling on the right side of his scalp and ear.  That is better but now he has similar sensation on the left side of his face and neck.  He had most of his radiation to the right side, but had some on the left.  None of the doctors have ever really said what it could be, but we have kind of put it down to be neuropathy from the chemo and radiation.

 Kathy

Hi Kathy

I appreciate the feedback.  It is comforting to know that someone else has had the same type of sensations - an indication that we may both be on the right track about possible neuropathy from the chemo and radiation - especially since it is on the left side of my face and I had radiation aimed at the left tonsil area.  I would have expected it to happen closer to the end of my treatment rather than waiting for a year and half but maybe I just didn't pay attention to it when the sensations were milder. 

As for my white blood cell count being low, I am going to call my oncologist on Mon to see what my count was the last time they did a blood work up on me.  It may still be low from when I had the chemo.  I'm not going to worry about it unless they seem concerned.  I think I'm just being a little more self aware after battling the big "C". 

Thank yo again for taking the time to calm my fears. 

Diana 

I am a cardiac rehab nurse and one of the things we tell our patients is that you usually don't think twice about your heart, but once you have a heart attack or anything else related to the heart, every pain you have between the top of your head and your belly button, you are afraid it is your heart.  That's normal.

I think the same thing happens once you have a diagnosis of cancer, but it happens on an even greater scale.  While your goal is to go on with life once your treatment is completed, there are always side effects that hang around, there is always the fear of what that next PET scan or blood test will show.  That is normal as well- you have just been through a major life changing event.

Just remember: Life is not about surviving the storm but learning how to dance in the rain.