Any musicians who can't perform because of breast cancer?

dd:  I'm a pianist and now play only for my own enjoyment, and to do some accompanying. However, thanks to Femara, my hands ache all the time and I've also developed trigger finger in the middle fingers of each hand.  Needless to say, it's rather painful to play for any length of time.

Wondering if your difficulties are a result of your surgeries?  I should think you might have problems with your arm if your surgery was on the left breast, or esp. if you have any lymphedema.

Wishing you well,  Linda

I played electric bass professionally for 20 years -- then didn't for about 9 years before I got BC.  Now an old bandmate has asked me to form a new band with him.  I will keep you posted -- my mast was on left side -- easier than violin in that I don't have to hold arm out and hold instrument up while also fingering -- I will let you know.

The other thing is that I'm a singer -- a fellow soprano and BC survivor who is taking AIs like me agreed that she is experiencing what I reported to her about loss of vocal quality -- voice thinner and less resonant -- "older"-sounding in less than a year -- my thought is that the lining/folds of throat/pharynx/nose, etc. are thinning and drying up similarly to what's happening "below the belt" -- but while I'm having good results restoring my mojo with lubricants, etc. -- I don't know how to put the bloom back on the rose in terms of my voice!

I took part in the study about musicians and cancer, too.  Cancer totally took away my ability to play on a professional level.  I was playing paid-gigs for about 10 years, got cancer, and haven't done any since.  

I hate that. 

Oh, just wanted to add that returning to playing instruments that affect your arm (violin, viola) may actually be helpful for preventing lymphedema, since exercise is helpful for both control and prevention. BUT do so very carefully, paying attention to your arm and chest. If your arm feels tingly, achy or tired stop at once and proceed later (or the next day), building up gradually to your former level. Especially during practice, a compression sleeve and glove or gauntlet may be helpful as well. Best to get a referral to a well-trained lymphedema therapist (they aren't ALL well-trained!) for baseline arm measurements, risk reduction tips, fitting for garments, and learning a gentle massage you can use prophylactically. Here are two sites for finding a well-qualified lymphedema therapist near you:

www.mylymphedema.com  (click on the Therapist Locator and follow all the links)

www.clt-lana.org

Be well!
Binney

I will tell you this: Sara said that one thing she noticed with her results so far is that we as musicians do get back to where we were in our musical lives. 

It made me feel a lot better, because not playing has made me feel like a void has been dug out of my very being. 

Hey All -  I have been conducting a study on musicians who are affected by breast cancer.  I'm a hornist and 5-year survivor, and my issues with radiation and surgery compelled me to start the study.  Contact me at sschmale@infionline.net, or log onto the study site musiciansurvivor.org and take the survey.  We had to limit the respondant pool to those done with treatment 1-5 years ago and no recurrence (plus USA only); but you are still encouraged to share your story at the end if you don't qualify for the full survey!   YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and THERE IS HELP 

Hey!  It's Debbie, you and I spoke several months ago, and I've been curious about your study results!  I was also curious about that neuropathy creme you had utilized (that wasn't on the market).  Is it on the market yet? 

PS-after talking to  you, I felt uplifted knowing that we eventually all get back on the "bandwagon" (no pun intended!). 

Hi Debbie!  The study is going well, in fact the data collection will close soon.  Regarding the neuropathy cream, if you can get your doctor to contact Dr. Dean Fox at St. Marys Duluth Clinic, your doc can likely get either the formula or a prescription for it.  It has worked miracles on me.

Over 300 musicians have logged onto musiciansurvivor.org, and over 100 qualified to take the full survey (1-5 years out of primary treatment---reconstruction and meds are not part of the 1-5 yrs).  Then another 100 contributed comments at the end.  And we have interviewed by phone nearly 40 musicians.  We are swimming in unprocessed data at the moment, but it's all great stuff.  I am so honored to be part of this unique group of survivors! 

Happened upon this thread today! I do not play violin much anymore but I have a private studio. Recently I've had recurring problems with my shoulders, first frozen left shoulder about 3 years ago, and the same shoulder now has very limited range of motion. My guess is that the back shoulder muscles are pathetically weak and my posture has deteriorated, and PT is really, really slow. Anyone else experience shoulder issues like this? I haven't been able to practice for months, which really hurts when you are trying to teach the Bruch!