insensitive DR

First, I cannot comment on
First, I cannot comment on your burns on the second day because I haven't started rads yet, but it really does sound like he is dismissing your concerns. We know our bodies best and doctors need to recognize that fact. What has been your opinion of this doctor up until now? If you have been happy with him I would consider giving him one more chance. If not, and there are other radiation oncologists whom you can choose, I would consider changing doctors. It's going to be a heck of a long 7 or so weeks if he is not going to listen to your concerns!

(((((GENTLE HUGS)))))

Nancy

sunshine0406 said:

I was not real happy with him
When I first met him I was not too impressed but I figured I was a bit biased because I did not want to do radiation in the first place. So I would put that feeling aside and just roll with it. But after this I am felling like I should have listed to my first gut feeling.

No, this isn't in your head.
No, this isn't in your head. But, in my opinion, you couldn't be burnt from rads this quick. That doesn't happen, if at all, until around the 3rd or 4th week. I would think it must be something that you are using. You shouldn't put anything on your radiated skin unless your rads oncologist says it is ok. And, no deodorant with aluminum in it. I found I didn't need, nor do I still, need deodorant. The rads killed my sweat glands. No perfumes, nothing. Or, you could be having an allergic reaction of some sort to rads.

I think, if I were you, I would at least make an appointment to see another rads oncologist and see what he says. You won't be able to do rads if this keeps up.

Or, is the rads machine old or something? And, you shouldn't be using the lotion you put on it, unless the rads oncologist says it is alright. You have to be very, very careful with how you treat your skin and what you put on it.


Let us know what you do. I hope that you can find the cause for this and continue with rads.


Hugs, Leeza

Good luck!
My oncologist, especially when he was younger, could be the epitome of insensitivity. I decided to stay because 1) he is brilliant 2) I wanted to do everything in my power to fight the beast and, if it meant taking a valium before seeing him, so be it.

I have now seen the man for 24 years. He has either turned into a warm and fuzzy teddy bear with age or I have grown attached. ;-)

Of course, YOU know the sunburn is from rads. Most of us get it and the fairer skinned folks get it worst. Don't argue with the idiot, just ask him what to put on it. I had a lotion with aloe vera--I think it was Jason's? It helped to put on after treatments. A cortisone cream might also be helpful if it is already getting bad. Ask your doctor if those are ok.

And you are not overreacting, but I would clench my teeth and just finish. At least rads is not forever. Oh and BTW, now that I am remembering, my first rads doc was a complete jerk who kept reciting over and over again (in a funeral dirge voice) how bad my tumor was, how badly I needed rads and what horrible side effects I might see. He not only managed to make me cry, but my poor Dad was crying too!

disneyfan2008 said:

wow..so sorry...
I think everyone reacts differntly to everything in this world...I had NOOOOO burning or even red=ness after 8 wks of daily radiation. They did not say to me WOW you should be burning by now..everyone else does...I was told I was fortunate I did not burn...so I am an oddity...so you could be too as far as burning early in treatment.

Denise

It's hard..
This whole journey is hard..if it's not one thing, it's another! Talking with My medical oncologist is like pulling teeth to get him to say more than 20 words....very dry sense of humor...I had reservations about him for that reason but I have been told over and over how brilliant the man is and not to switch...we have to trust what they tell us, but be proactive as our own advocate...
I hate what you're going through..but I have never heard of anyone even a very fair person burn the second day...even if you aren't using anything different perhaps the rads to the area has caused some type of allergic reaction...don't ever put anything on the breast within 4 hours of treatment...it can interfer with the radiation...I also think when we're under stress we tend to hear what people say differently...I hope the rads onc wasn't really telling you he thinks it's all in your head...and I wouldn't give up on the rads...it's the last leg of this journey on the way to regaining your good health...
I hope you're able to get some answers to ease your mind...

disneyfan2008 said:

@majw
perhaps next visit bring along family or friend to talk with dr..to be second set of ears...and even ask questions you may not think of...

Denise

Take your husband with you next time
I agree with Disneyfan. Take your husband with you next time. Maybe the doctor will be less dismissive of your concerns if someone else is there. And you husband will be able to see why you are concerned. At the very least, the doctor should help you figure out what the problem is, even if it isn't from the radiation. And then if that doesn't work, go to your primary care physician and ask him what's up.

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

I was red on the first day
I was red on the first day too, and it was rectangular with definite boarders so it absolutely was rads. Yes, I have fair, sensitive, always burned when in the sun skin. However, your rads onc should not be dismissing your reaction. Did he look at the skin? or was all this over the phone? Did he explain why you should wait three days?

To give you some reassurance, I did 44 rounds, ending on March 23rd. I am still only very red and have an itchy radiation rash. So even though your skin is already reacting, it doesn't necessarily mean you will get bad burns.

I say get a second opinion. And take a copy of the rads prescription and any pathology reports with you. It won't hurt to ask, and you could even get confirmation that your current doc is providing you with appropriate treatment...then you would have some peace of mind.

Do be sure there is nothing on your skin before each treatment. No lotion, perfume, deodorant, powders, etc. Also, what soap are you using in the shower? My rads doc said only Dove or Caress. And no washcloth, the 'scrubbing' with a washcloth can further irritate your skin.

I'll add that I don't think you are over reacting. The doc works for you, so you should have supportive people on your team.

Come back and let us know what happens.

Hugs,

Linda

I had male gyno for years
I moved so chose female dr closer-went to her once and she was so uncaring...changed back to my long time male Dr/ which is a drive but worth it!

So sorry Dr is uncaring..

I understand how you
I understand how you feel....when I told the thoracic surgeon about the lump her comment to me was....It's always something with you.

Everyone is Different
Dear Sunshine,

We are all different. I would run for a second opinion. Just because most women do not get the effect on their skin until the 3rd or 4th week, that does not mean that you are not experiencing it right now. Did the doctor see your skin? If not, (1) insist that he sees it before you get your next treatment or (2) go to another radiation oncologist and have that doctor look at you.

I was told immediately, on the first visit, all the do's and don'ts to taking care of my skin. I was told immediately that I was to daily apply a skin lotion to the radiated area. (Can't remember name or cream nor how many times per day I was to put the cream on my skin.) I know the gel from the Aloe Vera plant is recommended for the radiated skin.

I have a lot of thoughts regarding radiation treatment that I have not shared with anyone other than my doctors. Main thought is that it appears that we are all treated with the same intensity of radiation, but possibly, based on our skin and body, we should be treated individually for the intensity of the radiation. Maybe, down the road, the radiation oncologists may rethink how much radiation is required for each individual. These are my personal thoughts. I have gotten very angry when I saw how badly some women were burned. Then there are other women who are quite fortunate and do have those burns. Same doctor, same medical facility, yet one woman has a different reaction than another woman.

Act quickly and keep us posted.

Lots of Hugs,
Janelle

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

I was red on the first day
I was red on the first day too, and it was rectangular with definite boarders so it absolutely was rads. Yes, I have fair, sensitive, always burned when in the sun skin. However, your rads onc should not be dismissing your reaction. Did he look at the skin? or was all this over the phone? Did he explain why you should wait three days?

To give you some reassurance, I did 44 rounds, ending on March 23rd. I am still only very red and have an itchy radiation rash. So even though your skin is already reacting, it doesn't necessarily mean you will get bad burns.

I say get a second opinion. And take a copy of the rads prescription and any pathology reports with you. It won't hurt to ask, and you could even get confirmation that your current doc is providing you with appropriate treatment...then you would have some peace of mind.

Do be sure there is nothing on your skin before each treatment. No lotion, perfume, deodorant, powders, etc. Also, what soap are you using in the shower? My rads doc said only Dove or Caress. And no washcloth, the 'scrubbing' with a washcloth can further irritate your skin.

I'll add that I don't think you are over reacting. The doc works for you, so you should have supportive people on your team.

Come back and let us know what happens.

Hugs,

Linda

I also suggest a 2nd
I also suggest a 2nd opinion. I can't believe that you or anyone else has burnt, not on the 2nd day. There is some reason for it, and, your rads oncologist needs to find out why. It could be an allergic reaction, and if so, needs to be addressed now.


Please let us know what you find out and how you are doing.


Sue

sunshine0406 said:

I talked to him yesterday.
I talked to him yesterday. he looked at it just before my treatment was to start I was all in position ready to go and he comes in asked me if it still itched, I told him it never itched then he asked if I took benadril I said no it did not itch why would I take it? he gave me some dr talk about why I should have taken it, I just looked up and started to tear up. He lingered a minute then left the room. The nurse asked what was wrong I could not say much I was trying not to cry and she then asked if I felt like he just was not listening and I shook my head yes. She then asked if I needed a min I said no just get it over with. They did and then I had the meeting with the nurse about what to use and not to use. She said that the dr is just going by the book but she knows that some women are more sensitive or more in tune with their body's and has seen other women who did have redness and sunburn like pain this early. She told me to use special care cream by bard. It was nice of her not to just dismiss my concerns like the dr. I my ask to change dr's but like someone else said I only have to see him once a week, I am still debating that. Thank you all for your helpful comments and letting me know I am not alone.

You Are Breaking My Heart
Dear Sunshine,

How difficult would it be for you to change your doctor? He is not giving you the support you need which is breaking my heart for you.

Why settle for mediocre when you can have better! It is good to hear that your nurse is compassionate and helpful to you, but it is your doctor who is mapping out the radiation you receive.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Lots of Hugs,
Janelle