1st Brachytherapy

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