Burning and chills and blood count changes

Lilyluv

My rad onc and nurse haven't heard of this, but my breast feels like it's burning which is accompanied by chills like when you get a fever.  This is the end of week 3 and it started at the end of last week.  I was told to put cornstarch on it, but it hasn't helped.  My breast is only a little  pink and the nurse said it looks good.  She gave me some creams to put on it. This burning sensation gets worse early afternoon after treatment and lasts at least until the next morning.  There's a bit of relief and then it starts up again after treatment the next day.  I don't feel particularly cold.  It's more like the sensation of heat/burning is causing the chills or shivering sensation. It's like the chills you get right before you get a fever, but  I took my temp, and  it's normal.  Leave it to me to have some weird thing they haven't heard of before.  Has anyone heard of this? I feel like they think I'm nuts.

Then I went to my back doctor for some pain injections a couple of days ago.  She said since I haven't had a blood test since last Fall before they found the cancer, she didn't want to do injections during radiation without a more recent blood test. We have an online system at the hospital where they post your test results in your file and I just found them.  A few of my blood count values have fallen below normal since last Fall. I'm assuming it's from radiation, but I really have no idea at what point they dropped - may have even happened after surgery.

Could low blood counts be causing the chills along with this burning? 

TB90

I am not certain about the burning sensation, but I have definitely had the chills without a fever.  That has happened to me following all three surgeries I have had.  I always take my temperature concerned about having a fever suggesting an infection, and it is always normal.  For me, it lasted about 3 or 4 days post surgery and by then, I had recovered.  I believe it is my body's response to trauma (physical).  As it  has happened three times and caused no other issues, I now believe that is normal for me.  I can totally see it happening with radiation (I started today) as my body becomes "injured".  Time will tell. I would get this late afternoon just as you would a fever.  Like you, I have some unique responses to a lot of things.  But I do know that a lot of injuries in animals cause them to shiver.  It just might be nature's way and may just serve a purpose.  I have never heard anyone else mention this until I saw you post. Good luck with the rads.  You are close to the finish line!     

Lilyluv

Thanks TB90!  That's reassuring.  I hope your journey is uneventful.  Actually so far it's been pretty smooth.  Today I got wiped out with fatigue, and being an active person, Hopefully it won't last long.  One full breast on Monday and then a boost for 4 days.  My back is going to celebrate not being in that cast anymore. :-)  Good luck to you!