Hello Ladies
Well, it was indeed a brutal week, what with Monday, Wed, Thurs, Fri - Radiotherapy, Tuesday - Brachy and Wenesday - Last Chemo!!
The brachytherapy was quite intense, but actually fine. I had a spinal block. I was asked to sit sideways on on a trolley and then they raised the trolley quite high and put a stool under my feet. They sprayed my back with (very) cold water and at some stage, I had a cannula inserted but can't quite remember when that happpened. I then had to form what I can only describe as a "foetal" position so that they could inject an anasthetic into my spine - that was painless - and then ask you to lay down and they monitor all the way how numb you are and how far it has reached. I believe they administer the painkiller through the cannula but please correct me if I'm wrong. I was then taken through to the theatre and didn't feel anything other than a twitch in my leg as they worked away. They constantly check your blood pressure and your vitals are constantly monitored. The nurses and team were fantastic, and the anesthetist stays with you constantly making sure you're not in pain and talking to you. The team explained everything that was happening and were so gentle and attentive I cannot fault them in any way. When you are finished there, they take you for a CT and MRI and then back to the recovery room where you can eat and have a drink. The worst part for me was that I felt very frightened and overwhelmed when I couldn't feel the lower half of my bod at all. Felt totally out of control but that was only for the beginning. I soon got accustomed to it. Approximately 2 hours later I was taken down for the brachy which lasted 10 minutes and then they took out the packing and the rods and mercifully I didn't feel a thing as I was still numb. When you can walk, go for a wee, then they will let you go but you must have someone with you, or they will take you and somebody must be with you overnight. If that is my experience for the next two as well, it is perfectly do-able. I did have some bleeding and soreness overnight and into the following day but it wasn't unbearable. This was the procedure at my hospital. The Oncologist comes around to see you before you go down to the theatre and told me before I was taken down for the brachy that I had had an excellent response to the treatment and from the pre-brachy MRI, at this point they can see no cancer!!! It feels almost as if I dreamed that - hardly dare to believe it!!! That makes everything so worthwhile and it really is worth fighting for ladies. I am sending healing thoughts and wishes to all of us and I hope this brings strength to all that follow xxx
This is fantastic to read, Julie! What an absolutely inspirational post for everyone coming up to brachy! Well done you little trooper! This is such great news! So happy for you. xx
Hi Welly
My understanding is that it depends on the equipment the hospital has, as to how they carry it out. My plan was for much the same as you had- admission on the Tuesday, CT scan, GA for rod insertion, then lying flat on my back in the room with periodic visits from nurses while the pulse doses of radiotherapy were delivered. Scheduled if I recall to be around 18 hours. Then rod removal with gas and air if required, and discharged on the Thursday. I had no idea how I’d cope not being able to move, but in the event didn’t get the treatment at all. I was scheduled for a single long treatment.
I understand that it’s also different if you have had a hysterectomy and have no womb. Sounds a lot more straight forward! I was treated at a specialist cancer hospital-cancer is all they deal with- but it amazed me that in this day and age we have to go through something that seems so barbaric almost.
Sarah xx
Morning Julie
Number 2 will soon be out of the way and done, then you can start to recover from your treatment. Nearly all done, so hope this last brachy goes as smoothly as it can for you. Big hugs, ready for the final push!
Sarah xxx
