IN PATIENT BRACHYTHERAPY

Hi SueB4 and welcome over to us from the womb group.

I hope some of the ladies who’ve been through the in patient type of treatment will come along and share their experiences-as you know from our discussions, I couldn’t have it done. 

Sarah xx

Hi Sue

I don’t really post on here, but I randomly saw your post whilst browsing and thought it might help you.
Yes I had 24 hour brachytherapy at Weston Park in July. The hardest part is not being able to move your bottom half of your body. 
So you get admitted the day before onto the ward, then at night they give you an enema (to lessen the chance of needing a poo whilst laid down. The next morning you have to be up and ready at 6 or7. A porter comes and takes you up to the theatre at the Hallamshire Hospital. I picked spinal anaesthetic so was awake throughout but you can have general anaesthetic but I thought by having spinal you’re not groggy and you stay numb for a good few hours after. So in theatre they insert the rods, you don’t feel anything you are numb. So then you go back to recovery and they watch you for 1 hour or so and then you are taken back to Weston Park. Then you go straight for an mri to see if the rods are positioned correctly, then back to the ward and you will have to wait till the MDT team looks at the mri and decides what treatment you need. I was having 17 hours. So eventually at 6 o clock they took me round to the brachytherapy room, just round the corner from the ward. I was plugged onto the machine then you are left in the room, the machine sends the radiation pulses something like  once an hour for 20 mins each time (it’s not constantly doing it so nurses can and do come in to see if you are alright, also they come and turn you every hour I didn’t feel anything. There’s a tv you can watch, take your phone iPad etc so eventually I got through the hours and got out of the room at 11 o clock ish. Then a nurse comes to remove the rods and takes you back on the ward to make sure you are ok. I was ok so I was let to go home later on that day. 

If you need to know anything else feel free to ask

I am having my mri in a couple of weeks to see if it’s worked, God I hope it as.

Lou

Thank you so much Lou. I keep swinging from going ahead to telling them I’ve changed my mind. I don’t sleep at all when in hospital but did two days in hospital after my hysterectomy and managed. I’m wondering if I can hack it being on my back for that length of time. Consultant said this procedure is belt and braces to stop any the cancer returning. Were you sore or have any other side effects in the days after the procedure? I truly hope it has worked for you and wish you all the best. 

Sue. X

Hi

I would do it if I was you, it’s got to be for the best. Dr Martyn told me she knows how effective it is, that’s why I had it. You can get through it, it’s just a few days. I was a little sore but nothing major but I was tired and even now all these months later, I still feel tired at times. I did have dodgy bowels for a while but they’re getting better. I went back to work full time 6 weeks after.

I’d do it again if I had to.

Take care

lou

Hi Lou, Well it’s getting nearer to the date when I go in for the treatment. I will be admitted on the 5th November. I wondered how you went on with eating and drinking. I’ve been told I will be flat on my back for 30 hours. I presume this includes the time from having the rod fitted.

Hope you are keeping well.

Sue. 

Hi

I didn’t eat that much when I was in because my taste changed after the chemo. I did have toast and a sandwich and ice cream. You still have to drink quite a bit, I just lifted my head up and did my best, but it was awkward.

Yes it’s around 30 hours by time it finishes. One word of advice would be to get someone to visit you in the afternoon, I didn’t realise that I’d be back on the ward, it will just pass some time on for you.

Good luck.

Thanks for replying Lou.

I was more worried about drinking than eating to be honest as I know they like you to drink plenty. Wondered if a straw would make it easier. Thanks for the heads up on someone visiting. My husband will be bringing me home so will get him to come earlier. 

All the best,

Sue.

Hi Sue

I am due to go in for Brachytherapy on Tuesday overnight. I did not know you have to lie on your back for 24 hours? I am not good on my back, I go dizzy! OMG I feel like I am really going into this blind- how do you know you have to lie on your back for 24 hours, nobody has told me what to expect. 

Hi Lou

All I was told is that I will be in a room on my own as I am having 2 sessions of it and was told I am not allowed visitors. Is it painful? I am so mard and petrified of going in for it on Tuesday.

Hi Trease, I will be in for 2 nights. First night I will have something to empty my bowels then will have the rod fitted next morning and start the brachytherapy in the afternoon. Spoke with somebody on the phone this week who said I will probably be on my back for 30 hours in all. Definitely not looking forward to it. If you’ve been told you are having two sessions of it and are only in for 1 night then I don’t think you will be on your back for too long. I would ring your CNS nurse and talk it through with her. I emailed my CNS nurse this week about a few concerns I had and a lovely lady from the Brachytherapy unit rang me and I talked things through with her. I also have an appointment with her the day before I go into hospital. 
Hope everything goes well for you and will be thinking of you.

Please let us know how you get on. 

Sue. X