Some help for radiation and burning

mc2001
mc2001 Member Posts: 343
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello Everyone,
OK, just FYI, I am a 29yr man in rem (6yrs) from leukemia. I was reading many of your personal stories. There seems to be a lot of questions regarding radiation burns. I did have high-dose radiation, too. I had it directed to my head, neck, face, chest, and spine. So, my mom or my father would apply a good quality Aloe-Vera lotion to the areas, and it really helped. Get an aloe lotion (please ask your Dr's first). Not something WITH a small percent of Aloe. If it is possible, find out exactly where you will be treated, and start applying the lotion BEFORE the treatments, like a week or 10 days prior. That should help even more. And since the burned areas on my body were sensitive to soap, I switched to Neutrogena glycerin soap and that made a big difference. my pain and burning lessened tremendously. Also, deoderant wasn't fun either, so I figured if gargaling with salt water to help heal a sore throat (caused by germs) worked, why not try salt water under the arms. A very small amt of regular table salt in small (16oz will do) spray bottle of tap water did the trick in preventing odor, and it did not irritate my arms or chest. But please ask the Doc's because everyone is different and certain "tricks" may not be conducive for healing. I have designed a leukemia and lymphoma website, and I have information about chemo and radiation and possible side effects and what not. I try to find and post info, often. Here is my web site URL:
http://www.geocities.com/leukemia_lymphoma/
Even though my site is primarily focused towards blood related cancers, there is info that just about any cancer patient can use (pain mgmt, nutrition, fatigue, side-effects, personal stories, alternative therapy, etc)
There is no way I can say that I know what you are going through. But I thought since I had radiation and burns that I could offer some advice to you. Good luck and God bless.

Your Carcinogenic Comrade :-)
-Michael

Comments

  • rainyday
    rainyday Member Posts: 49
    #2
    Thanks for the advice Michael. I have radiation coming a few months down the road and will be sure to get some Aloe Vera and check out your website.
  • prayerangel
    prayerangel Member Posts: 147
    #3
    rainyday said:

    Thanks for the advice Michael. I have radiation coming a few months down the road and will be sure to get some Aloe Vera and check out your website.

    When I had the radiation for breast cancer I burned very badly and they kept on radiating me. They give you free creams and medication for the burns. I started with cream, went to a special medicated vaseline type cream and then to a paint on orange medicine. The last one did the trick. It dried out the oozing. You can't wear any deodorant during radiation treatments and for a bit afterwards. You can ask your oncology nurses. Thanks Michael for your advice. I don't think the Aloe Vera would've worked for me.
  • newbeginning
    newbeginning Member Posts: 13
    #4
    Hi Michael..thanks for writing and very happy to note that you are in remission. Am suffering so with the radiation burns, but can't find Aloe without alcohol or linocaine...any suggestions other than going to the desert and getting a plant?...lolol...Thanks again. Linda
  • rizzo15
    rizzo15 Member Posts: 153 Member
    #5
    newbeginning said:

    Hi Michael..thanks for writing and very happy to note that you are in remission. Am suffering so with the radiation burns, but can't find Aloe without alcohol or linocaine...any suggestions other than going to the desert and getting a plant?...lolol...Thanks again. Linda

    I haven't started radiation yet, by my radiation oncologist told me months ago to get a good stock of as close to 100% aloe lotion as I could get. I got mine from www.hbandf.com and got Jason Natural Cosmetics and Lily of the Desert products as they are 99% pure aloe. She says I will be required to apply it 2 hours before radiation and then again afterwards to help prevent burning. They had warned me that it would be very clear if I was not following the protocol as radiation treatments would need to be suspended until a burn healed up. They mentioned that even with Aloe it was still possible to get burned, but the chances went down a lot. I was also given some samples of Aquaphor by the radiologist assistant, but have not ordered any of that yet.
  • inkblot
    inkblot Member Posts: 698 Member
    #6
    Hello Michael:

    Just wanted to say that your attitude is great and I'm so happy that you're in remission!

    I share your enthusiasm for natural aloe. I purchased several nice sized plants which did wonders for me! I'd break off a stem and place it in the fridge before I went for the treatments...would come home and immediately apply the soothing gel. I applied it not once but several times daily. It was amazingly refreshing. At bedtime, I applied a good Vitamin E/Aloe Oil and used a natural soap for cleansing. My burning was minimal. I experienced only a thin peel of the skin about a week post treatment. I used a loofah (very gingerly) to help scrub away the dead skin and continued with the aloe for another 6 weeks. By 6 months post radiation, my skin color returned to normal. Except for the small surgical scars, my radiated skin looks and feels the same as before my cancer. I'm very grateful for Mother Nature's own rememdies! I found the aloe superior in every way to anything manmade and know many others who benefitted from it as well.

    Thanks for sharing your experiences with Aloe and my best wishes for your continued good health!

    Love, light and laughter,
    Ink

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