Bracky therapy

Hi Lara, just want to give you a bit of reassurance. Remember, the procedure is very focused, so very accurate.  My oncologist said the radioactive source is about the size of a grain of rice. It is nerve wracking when you go for your first one, but just think, by tomorrow evening it will all be over.

My experience was slightly different to Barb and Dreamweaver, I hadn’t had any scan etc before my op apart from the ultrasound scan at the beginning.  So I had the applicator tube put into position then had a CT scan to see everything was in the right area. A bit of fun as they rolled me off the trolley and onto the bed for the ct scan without everything slipping out!  So the first session took a longer time than the next two.  It didn’t hurt, if you can relax they can get stuff in place more easily than if you are rigid with tension, so do nice relaxed breathing and take your mind off to some place that is special to you..

it feels a bit lonely when the staff leave the room, but it helps if there is some music playing - well, it does sometimes, in my case the Fisherman’s Friends cd was on so I nearly had to press the panic button to get them back in to turn it off, ha ha.Then, before you know it they are all back in the room and it’s all over. I felt a bit tired in the evenings after my sessions, but otherwise no ill effects. My last session was at the beginning of November and I can hardly remember it now. 
It’s normal to be feeling scared, it’s the unknown after all. But it’s really not too bad. Try not to worry yourself sick, good luck,

Viv

Hi Lara 5

Quite understand all your anxiety and fears. I promise you in a few days time you'll be wondering what you were worrying about. It doesn't hurt, just feels undignified but the nurses are brilliant at holding your hand and reassuring you until the procedure starts. You'll just hear a few whirrs and clicks and before you know it that's you done for the day. I finished my treatments 2 months ago and apart from 1 day with the squits, nothing else occurred. 

I still am in denial over having had cancer but it's happened, it's gone and I'm just waiting to have my 3 monthly first check with Oncologist.

Let us know how it goes tomorrow.

Big hugs, Barb xx 

Hi Lara,

Happy New Year, and glad to hear from you. I hope you're feeling much better and recovered from sepsis OK.

As Barb says, it's amazing how quickly the brachytherapy treatments go. I had worried myself into a right lather after reading of all the potential side effects but found the advice from the ladies here helped me calm down and decide to go ahead with the three sessions.

It's three weeks since I completed mine and so far I've had nothing untoward happen. In my cancer diary (yes, I have noted everything that's been happening since August) I've kept a record of every pee and poo since the first session on 11 Dec so I can track any changes - but to date there's been no increase/decrease in frequency (despite the cold weather outside, haha). I think it's my engineering background to blame for the recordkeeping tendency...

The radiologist was keen I start dilation soon afterwards. I waited till end of 2020 (approx 9 weeks post-surgery, and 2 weeks after end of brachytherapy) before starting with the smallest dilator. I have to use it every day for four weeks, and then once weekly for life : but sex can be substituted once surgeon gives me the OK :-) I have worked my way up over the last week from size 1 to size 3 dilator (which is the same size as the applicator used during brachytherapy) without too much trouble (no bleeding or pain so far). I don't plan to attempt the largest one as radiologist said it wasn't necessary.

WIshing you all the best for tomorrow - the radiologists at NGH are a lovely group of women, and they have a reasonable music selection available so make sure you get to listen to something you like!

Take care, stay safe,
Dx