Brachytherapy treatment

Hi Senga20, welcome to the forum. Hope you will find help, support and information here from all the great ladies.

It’s good to hear your op is over and done with, that’s the first thing out of the way. I was exactly the same as you, had op in August 2020, Grade 1 Stage 1b, and my surgeon suggested I have brachytherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence from about 15% down to 5%. I thought that was a no-brainer and immediately agreed.   Once I was off the phone tho and read a bit about brachytherapy I started to worry. I was fit and healthy, and they were saying there was a risk of bladder or bowel damage. I worked myself up into a right old state, even gave myself a panic attack. Eventually spoke to the oncologist who reassured me that the risks were more likely with external radiotherapy, and that brachytherapy is a very targeted procedure. Another thing I found very helpful is that the radioactive source is the size of a grain of rice, I was imagining a huge green and glowing stick ( lol).

The unknown is very scary, so this is  an account of  what happened.  I had one session a week for 3 weeks. Other hospitals may do it differently. my first session, described below, was 2 hours long because of having the ct scan, ( I think that was also the reason for the catheter). I haven’t read of anyone else having it done like this, but prior to my op I hadn’t had any ct scans done, just an ultrasound and biopsy so that may be the reason. Subsequent two sessions were simply, go in, have the session and all over in  about 10 minutes,

It's not the most pleasant way to spend a few hours but it was bearable. My procedure went as follows: arrive at hospital scared stiff, go to room, strip off from waist down and lie on bed, given some paracetamol and codeine to take. Radiologist and doc put in catheter. That was slightly uncomfortable for a minute but bearable. Then they put in application tube which was OK. Then had to lie flat on bed for about 20minutes ( tho seemed much longer) waiting for ct scan, my feet were freezing even tho there was a blanket over me. Ct scan took a short while but the room was really cold, then into radiotherapy room. They all left the room, the  machine whirred a bit, I couldn’t see what was happening or feel anything. I almost dozed off!  Then everything taken out with no problems, sent for a wee to make sure bladder was working, then dressed and home.  For me the worst bits were the catheter and trying to lie still as I really got the urge to shift position.  There is some fun when they transfer you from your 'bed' trolley onto the trolley for the ct scan as you can't move in case you dislodge the tubes! I also found it very frustrating that all I could look at was the ceiling! Second and third sessions only took about 10 minutes, so much easier not to fidget!

So really, I would say it's not awful, just a bit uncomfortable. You feel exposed  but I just pretended I wasn't there and am glad I had a mask on so they wouldnt recognise me!! The staff are all very kind and do their utmost to retain your dignity.

I didn’t think I had suffered any side effects at first, but I now have a small problem in that my bladder doesn’t always empty completely ( might not even be related to brachytherapy, might just be old age!)   It’s not a big deal tho.At the moment I am on three monthly checks, most of which have been telephone consultations.

Sorry this is a bit long winded but I hope it helps you.  Good luck,

Viv x

Thank you for replying your story was very helpful and reassuring. So glad everything is good with you. 

Senga x

Hi and welcome to our group of lovely ladies.

I can't add anything more to what Viv (Jigsaw33) has written as we both went through the same treatment at the same time - undignified and painless. But I've got this vision of Viv tottering around like a pulsating neon stick LOL.

Sending hugs, Barb xx

Thank you for reply Barb, i am feeling so much better about having the treatment now. This us such a great group and the support means a lot. Xx