Folks that read this blog knew it was bound to happen (admit it, you did!). Mouth is getting sore (gargling with salt and soda in cool water helps a lot); no one can get near my face or neck due to pain and the cream that is slathered on; and eating is only for health reasons (I can hear the WW leader now - "It's about time!"). No matter how much water I drink or rest that I get, I am not going to be able to counter the radiation effects totally. Still, I have it so good - many friends and family there to support me through calls, email, cards, and visits; excellent health professionals caring for me; a great job waiting for me... so not whining. Just cranky.
We used to walk volksmarches overseas, and there was always a part in the 10K walks that I would wonder, "Will the trail ever end? Can I make it all the way?" (I still say they had skill in plotting trails that were uphill both ways!) Then I would realize that I didn't have a choice, there was only one way out and that was to follow the trail as it led back to the starting place. I guess this is the type of journey I am on now - no choice but to follow the trail back to where I started. I feel confident that I can make it, but it may be rough on those close to me!! My husband has been most understanding during all of this stuff that we find ourselves in, but I heard him joking to a coworker when we stopped by the library yesterday. My friend had commended him on taking such good care of me. He shot back with a grin, "I have to take care of her - she's mean! I used to be 3 inches taller!"
New side effects: drying nose due to increased radiation effects (helped by saline spray); drying ear canal due to radiation effects on wax (no solution as of yet - open to suggestions); and some deep face pain (so far, Motrin is fixing that). Thank goodness they give the weekends off to help the healthy cells gain strength. I will practice being a better housemate with my family this weekend, I promise! (grin!)
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I don't know if this will be helpful or not, but I am sensitive to dry cold air just in general, and have come up with a number of ways to help. Frankly, I spent years working with docs and their ideas, before I finally found things that helped me.
For dry ears and ear canals (it sure hurts when it cracks inside, doesn't it?), I have actually tried just dropping a couple drops of warm water for relief. This works. I know someone else who heats up olive oil and uses that. That idea makes me a tad nervous. Tap water has limits on how hot it gets.
Generally, I use a huge slow-cooker filled with water and set to low or medium. This puts warm humidity in the air, and I have found it helps for dryness in my ears, sinuses, eyes, etcetera. Saline spray helps briefly, but later makes it worse.
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