Breast pink and warm on FIRST day of Rads??!!??

AngieD
AngieD Member Posts: 493
in Breast Cancer #1
I had my first radiation treatment yesterday and had been told by the RO that it would be several weeks before I would have any reactions, if I ever did. Well, yesterday afternoon when I went to put on more pure aloe vera gel as directed, the lower part of my treated breast was pink. (I used the gel for several days before starting treatment and yesterday morning, after treatment, late afternoon, and bedtime.) It was still pink at bedtime, but looked normal this morning. Today it is pink AND warm in the afternoon. I asked the therapists about it today and they said it's unusual, but it does happen. ???????? Has anyone had this happen to them?? I will see the RO tomorrow morning, but would like some feedback before then, if possible.

I had trouble sleeping the night before starting. Thinking stuff like "What if I sneeze and it zaps my heart" and "What if the machine sticks on ON" I did ask the therapists and they gave me satisfactory answers. I was never scared of chemo and always felt it was a healing process. And MO and RO told me after chemo rads would seem easy. I don't know why this is freaking me out so much---

Angie

Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #2
    Angle...
    Don't just rely on the aloe gel...have your RO give you the Rx creams tomorrow...it is a cream that is used for rads...I used it religiously...kept it in my purse and used it as soon as each tx was over, before I put my top on and 3 more times daily...I never burned...but as we say, everyone is different...
    But, please ask for the Rx creams...

    Wishing you well..
    Hugs, Nancy
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #3
    I don't think rads are easy,
    I don't think rads are easy, just a different treatment. I am so sorry Angie that this has happened to you. I, personally, have never heard of someone having a reaction so early in treatment with rads. It took probably 3 1/2 weeks or 4 before I noticed anything. I also never burnt. I got very red and was very tender, but, never burnt. I used Aquaphor, lots of it, and, Biofine during my rads and for a few weeks afterwords. ( Aquaphor is available in any drug store and Biofine is a prescription )

    I do know that if someone starts burning badly, they can stop the treatments for awhile and then restart them after you heal some. No doctor worth his salt would ever let someone burn badly. Just make sure you let them know about how your skin is and make sure your rads oncologist checks you every week. He needs to make sure your skin is doing alright.

    I understand your trouble sleeping and thinking what you are. This is all new to you and ofcourse it is scary. Once you have gone a few more times, you will start to relax. I absolutely loved my rads onco and the techs. I still see my rads onco every 6 months and I am happy about that!

    Keep us updated and be sure the techs and your rads onco keep an eye on you.

    Gentle hugs, Lex
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #4
    Alexis F said:

    I don't think rads are easy,
    I don't think rads are easy, just a different treatment. I am so sorry Angie that this has happened to you. I, personally, have never heard of someone having a reaction so early in treatment with rads. It took probably 3 1/2 weeks or 4 before I noticed anything. I also never burnt. I got very red and was very tender, but, never burnt. I used Aquaphor, lots of it, and, Biofine during my rads and for a few weeks afterwords. ( Aquaphor is available in any drug store and Biofine is a prescription )

    I do know that if someone starts burning badly, they can stop the treatments for awhile and then restart them after you heal some. No doctor worth his salt would ever let someone burn badly. Just make sure you let them know about how your skin is and make sure your rads oncologist checks you every week. He needs to make sure your skin is doing alright.

    I understand your trouble sleeping and thinking what you are. This is all new to you and ofcourse it is scary. Once you have gone a few more times, you will start to relax. I absolutely loved my rads onco and the techs. I still see my rads onco every 6 months and I am happy about that!

    Keep us updated and be sure the techs and your rads onco keep an eye on you.

    Gentle hugs, Lex

    I'm with Lex
    None of this crap is easy. I agree with asking your doc. for some stronger rx cream--you might be one with delicate skin that reacts "unusually." I'm sure this type of thing has happened before. I hate it when they say something like, "Gee, this hasn't happened to anyone else before." Always makes me feel like I'm either nuts or just a big baby.

    Hopefully, you will relax a bit more as treatment continues. It did freak me out for a while--when I'd lay there, watch the machine and think about what was actually happening to my body. The first few treatments brought tears. Then I tried to just zone out, close my eyes and transport myself to my favorite beach in the world. I'll bet your sleeping issues have to do with anxiety. Maybe a sleep aid of some sort would help.

    Good luck to you--you will get through this.

    Hugs, Renee
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #5
    missrenee said:

    I'm with Lex
    None of this crap is easy. I agree with asking your doc. for some stronger rx cream--you might be one with delicate skin that reacts "unusually." I'm sure this type of thing has happened before. I hate it when they say something like, "Gee, this hasn't happened to anyone else before." Always makes me feel like I'm either nuts or just a big baby.

    Hopefully, you will relax a bit more as treatment continues. It did freak me out for a while--when I'd lay there, watch the machine and think about what was actually happening to my body. The first few treatments brought tears. Then I tried to just zone out, close my eyes and transport myself to my favorite beach in the world. I'll bet your sleeping issues have to do with anxiety. Maybe a sleep aid of some sort would help.

    Good luck to you--you will get through this.

    Hugs, Renee

    Totally in agreement with
    Totally in agreement with Lex, Renee and Nancy. Nothing is easy with bc. Your rads oncologist should give you a prescription for some kind of cream. Aloe vera isn't enough alone. I never used aloe vera, but, I know some did.

    I remember being scared with my first one too, but, it went so quickly and the techs put on some music that I liked, so, I started feeling less apprehensive. I remember the room was freezing, so, they gave me warm blankets. I think that was part of my shaking, cold and nervous.

    Please talk to your doctor about this and get something to use on your skin. There is a really good post on here about rads. I can look for it and bump it up if you want. Just let me know.

    Good luck, Diane
  • MsGebby
    MsGebby Member Posts: 659
    #6
    You might want to ask about
    You might want to ask about sulfadiazine cream. It is used for burns. I am thinking you have very sensitive skin and this cream would keep your skin in tip top shape from the get go. I needed it. But it was around the 4th week. I had third degree burns. YIKES.

    Can't hurt to ask the RO.

    Stay positive. Kiss those buggers goodbye!

    Mary
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #7
    Take a deep breath...I was
    Take a deep breath...I was pink and warm on the first day, looked and felt like a square sunburn. I did rads twice a day for 22 days and I never got worse than red. No open skin. I did get an itchy rads rash toward the end, and was given lidocaine for that. My skin is fine now, with just a faint "tan" box.

    I did the aloe in the changing room before going home, and followed skin directions very precisely. Including no wash cloths or scrubs in the shower, just my soapy hand. I'm sure you checked, but there is no alcohol in your aloe right?

    With my brain rads, they are recommending calundela (sp?, they're not even recommending aloe any more. So I've been using that 2-3 times a day, then lotion before bed. A shower in the morning to make sure there are no lingering lotions...

    And no, rads is not easy...you have get back and forth everyday which is tiring in itself. Then your body still has to recover from a daily dose of yet another kind of poison. For me, the fatigue was frequently overwhelming. I suggest you not expect easy, and give yourself permission to have those uneasy feelings. Be sure to drink lots of water, get plenty of rest, let others pamper you...

    I hope this helps. Take care, and we'll get through this together.
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #8
    Allergic to aloe?
    It may also be a reaction to the aloe. Ask the doc. Hopefully it's something easy to adjust.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #9
    mamolady said:

    Allergic to aloe?
    It may also be a reaction to the aloe. Ask the doc. Hopefully it's something easy to adjust.

    I never thought of that
    I never thought of that mamolady. Maybe this could be an allergic reaction to the aloe. I only say what everyone else wrote, get some prescription creams from your rads oncologist.

    Be gentle with your skin, do not scrub it. Don't wear a bra if you can go without. I used Dove soap to wash with. And, keep your creams on, especially at night, really gob it on.

    No deodorant unless it is aluminum free, like Tom's of Maine.

    Good luck to you,

    Kylez
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #10
    I was very lucky..NO side
    I was very lucky..NO side effects from radiation-so it is possible.

    I had BAD cough during treatments-and when I laid down even worse (needless to say)

    They would give me a hard candy to suck on..which helped..

    I wish your the best and HOPE all goes ok for you..

    Denise

    (I did not have chemo)
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #11
    disneyfan2008 said:

    I was very lucky..NO side
    I was very lucky..NO side effects from radiation-so it is possible.

    I had BAD cough during treatments-and when I laid down even worse (needless to say)

    They would give me a hard candy to suck on..which helped..

    I wish your the best and HOPE all goes ok for you..

    Denise

    (I did not have chemo)

    How are you doing Angie? I
    How are you doing Angie? I hope and pray better.


    Gentle hugs,

    Lex
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    #12
    Alexis F said:

    How are you doing Angie? I
    How are you doing Angie? I hope and pray better.


    Gentle hugs,

    Lex

    Thanks for all your input!
    Thanks for all your input! I've been waiting to respond to see how things were going. I did talk to the RO the next day after I first posted on this. He said he just wanted me to use the pure Aloe Vera Gel. When I asked about prescription cream, he said they've found it may create more problems than it solves and didn't want to go there at this point. His other suggestions were to put a cold cloth on the area and take Ibuprofen as anti-inflammatory measures. He said he doesn't include it in his introductory meeting, but about 1 in 50 do have a reaction the first day. Another of those "different people react differently" things just like with chemo. He said some might attribute it to my being fair and/or having had chemo first, but that doesn't necessarily hold true. I was really skeptical and still worried. However, I decided to go with his advice for the moment and see how it worked. I'm calmed down now. I've had 9 treatments and it has gotten no worse. Pink in the afternoon, but mostly cleared up by morning.

    I had also been annoyed with them because they were later getting me started than promised. I wanted to be done at least a week before we're to go on a trip. The way it worked out I was only going to be done 3 days before, with the delay and the Labor Day weekend.
    He suggested we do one Boost a week and, if I handle that OK, I'll be done over a week before we are to leave. I had the first day of 2 treatments in one day last Thursday and handled that fine. (The boost area is not the area that has been getting pink.)

    I've rambled on too long. Bottom line: Things are looking up and I'm feeling much better about it. And, special thanks to Linda for sharing that you had the same reaction and it didn't get progressively worse.

    Angie
  • rallendorfer
    rallendorfer Member Posts: 244
    #13
    AngieD said:

    Thanks for all your input!
    Thanks for all your input! I've been waiting to respond to see how things were going. I did talk to the RO the next day after I first posted on this. He said he just wanted me to use the pure Aloe Vera Gel. When I asked about prescription cream, he said they've found it may create more problems than it solves and didn't want to go there at this point. His other suggestions were to put a cold cloth on the area and take Ibuprofen as anti-inflammatory measures. He said he doesn't include it in his introductory meeting, but about 1 in 50 do have a reaction the first day. Another of those "different people react differently" things just like with chemo. He said some might attribute it to my being fair and/or having had chemo first, but that doesn't necessarily hold true. I was really skeptical and still worried. However, I decided to go with his advice for the moment and see how it worked. I'm calmed down now. I've had 9 treatments and it has gotten no worse. Pink in the afternoon, but mostly cleared up by morning.

    I had also been annoyed with them because they were later getting me started than promised. I wanted to be done at least a week before we're to go on a trip. The way it worked out I was only going to be done 3 days before, with the delay and the Labor Day weekend.
    He suggested we do one Boost a week and, if I handle that OK, I'll be done over a week before we are to leave. I had the first day of 2 treatments in one day last Thursday and handled that fine. (The boost area is not the area that has been getting pink.)

    I've rambled on too long. Bottom line: Things are looking up and I'm feeling much better about it. And, special thanks to Linda for sharing that you had the same reaction and it didn't get progressively worse.

    Angie

    This is very good news Angie!
    So glad this has worked out. And glad you will still be finished in time for your trip. Has your hair started to fill out better now, too?

    So happy!
    Rebecca
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    #14
    rallendorfer said:

    This is very good news Angie!
    So glad this has worked out. And glad you will still be finished in time for your trip. Has your hair started to fill out better now, too?

    So happy!
    Rebecca

    I do have very short hair
    I do have very short hair all over my head now. And short eyelashes. Yay! And crazy eyebrows growing in all directions. ?? Also, I got those straying eyelashes mentioned on another thread that ended up on my chin ;-)
    Angie
  • rallendorfer
    rallendorfer Member Posts: 244
    #15
    AngieD said:

    I do have very short hair
    I do have very short hair all over my head now. And short eyelashes. Yay! And crazy eyebrows growing in all directions. ?? Also, I got those straying eyelashes mentioned on another thread that ended up on my chin ;-)
    Angie

    I know what you mean
    Some of the hairs on my legs and eyebrows just wouldn't die...shows where they are from...the DEVIL. Can't kill 'em.

    ;-)
  • Txrosebud
    Txrosebud Member Posts: 7
    #16
    Thank you for posting this.
    Thank you for posting this. I am very scared about radiation treatment. I have my last chemo on Aug 14th then 2 weeks later I start rads. Since finding out I have bc I haven't talked to anyone from my radiation team. There was a one time meeting and a bunch of information passed on to my hubby and I but I don't remember squat. I am more nervous about rads than I have been about chemo so I am taking notes from this post.

    Thank you!!!

    My prayers are with everyone.

    :)
  • rallendorfer
    rallendorfer Member Posts: 244
    #17
    Txrosebud said:

    Thank you for posting this.
    Thank you for posting this. I am very scared about radiation treatment. I have my last chemo on Aug 14th then 2 weeks later I start rads. Since finding out I have bc I haven't talked to anyone from my radiation team. There was a one time meeting and a bunch of information passed on to my hubby and I but I don't remember squat. I am more nervous about rads than I have been about chemo so I am taking notes from this post.

    Thank you!!!

    My prayers are with everyone.

    :)

    Txrosebud
    Me too. Angie will guide us through it!
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #18
    AngieD said:

    Thanks for all your input!
    Thanks for all your input! I've been waiting to respond to see how things were going. I did talk to the RO the next day after I first posted on this. He said he just wanted me to use the pure Aloe Vera Gel. When I asked about prescription cream, he said they've found it may create more problems than it solves and didn't want to go there at this point. His other suggestions were to put a cold cloth on the area and take Ibuprofen as anti-inflammatory measures. He said he doesn't include it in his introductory meeting, but about 1 in 50 do have a reaction the first day. Another of those "different people react differently" things just like with chemo. He said some might attribute it to my being fair and/or having had chemo first, but that doesn't necessarily hold true. I was really skeptical and still worried. However, I decided to go with his advice for the moment and see how it worked. I'm calmed down now. I've had 9 treatments and it has gotten no worse. Pink in the afternoon, but mostly cleared up by morning.

    I had also been annoyed with them because they were later getting me started than promised. I wanted to be done at least a week before we're to go on a trip. The way it worked out I was only going to be done 3 days before, with the delay and the Labor Day weekend.
    He suggested we do one Boost a week and, if I handle that OK, I'll be done over a week before we are to leave. I had the first day of 2 treatments in one day last Thursday and handled that fine. (The boost area is not the area that has been getting pink.)

    I've rambled on too long. Bottom line: Things are looking up and I'm feeling much better about it. And, special thanks to Linda for sharing that you had the same reaction and it didn't get progressively worse.

    Angie

    It sounds like you're doing
    It sounds like you're doing better now Angie and I am so happy to hear that. Hang in there! Before too long, you will be a rad grad and going on your trip! Keep your creams on!


    Hugs, Angie
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #19
    rallendorfer said:

    Txrosebud
    Me too. Angie will guide us through it!

    Glad you will be done with
    Glad you will be done with rads in time to go on your trip Angie. You certainly deserve a vacation!


    Hugs, Debby
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #20
    AngieD said:

    Thanks for all your input!
    Thanks for all your input! I've been waiting to respond to see how things were going. I did talk to the RO the next day after I first posted on this. He said he just wanted me to use the pure Aloe Vera Gel. When I asked about prescription cream, he said they've found it may create more problems than it solves and didn't want to go there at this point. His other suggestions were to put a cold cloth on the area and take Ibuprofen as anti-inflammatory measures. He said he doesn't include it in his introductory meeting, but about 1 in 50 do have a reaction the first day. Another of those "different people react differently" things just like with chemo. He said some might attribute it to my being fair and/or having had chemo first, but that doesn't necessarily hold true. I was really skeptical and still worried. However, I decided to go with his advice for the moment and see how it worked. I'm calmed down now. I've had 9 treatments and it has gotten no worse. Pink in the afternoon, but mostly cleared up by morning.

    I had also been annoyed with them because they were later getting me started than promised. I wanted to be done at least a week before we're to go on a trip. The way it worked out I was only going to be done 3 days before, with the delay and the Labor Day weekend.
    He suggested we do one Boost a week and, if I handle that OK, I'll be done over a week before we are to leave. I had the first day of 2 treatments in one day last Thursday and handled that fine. (The boost area is not the area that has been getting pink.)

    I've rambled on too long. Bottom line: Things are looking up and I'm feeling much better about it. And, special thanks to Linda for sharing that you had the same reaction and it didn't get progressively worse.

    Angie

    So glad that you are feeling
    So glad that you are feeling better! Soon we will all be partying your end to rads!


    Hugs, Megan

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