Radiotherapy Support Thread (inc. Brachytherapy)

Hi All I had Brachy 2 5 years ago for recurrence at the vagina vault. I had the Brachy via PDR which entailed 21 hours in a room on my back. The prep for this is exactly the same for other delivery methods.  I did have initial fatigue but this has now gone. Unfortunately because mine was for curative treatment I have lasting side effects on the vagina, bowel(radiation proctitis) and bladder incontinence. On the positive they are managed and I am getting back to Happy living.  If I would had been offered ajuvent I would have had the Brachy. I was Stage 1 grade 1 and recurred at 6 months. Take care Dawn x

I had two sessions of Brachy after 5 weeks of internal RT.  I was disappointed to find I would be having it as my CNS had said it would not be included in the treatment but UCLH regarded it as an important part of the RT.  The treatment was quite quick and painless.  Bizarrely  I didn't find it particularly embarrassing as some people have said.  Perhaps by then I was past embarrassment!   I just found it a bit ridiculous.   Unlike external Rt there was no need for any advance preparation, ie no enema and no water to drink.  Hurrah! The first session was longer as there was an internal examination ( this was the first one i had had since before my op) before they fitted the applicator and did a CT scan to check the position.  The actual treatment was over in no time and the second session was really quick because they knew what to use and how to position it. 

I always felt that any tiredness was more due to the travelling and I have had no lasting after effects. 

Now, this may be too much information at this time; but one result of the treatment is that the vagina can become narrower and less elastic..  So, to  ease future internal examinations and to aid a return to normal life you will probably be given a fetching set of dilators to use.  My consultant was happy that I could use the "natural method" but I have used the dilators a bit as things do change when you get older.

Hi  Madesp,  As you have had Chemo you may well be more tired  to start with but the logistics of getting to and from your home,  treatment and place of work will probably also have a bearing on your ability to carry on working. . I was retired but was able to do most of my normal activities like helping with my son's business and going to the theatre.  However I was lucky enough to be able to decide  on a day to day basis according to how I felt.  An employer might not be so flexible!.

Viv, I checked with my CNS today and was glad to find out I won’t have a catheter for the brachy CT.

Oh, that’s a stroke of luck. I don’t know why they gave me one, maybe cos the whole session lasted for 2 hours. I had to wait for the CT scan for a while,. I can tell you it was quite a feat for them to get me from the bed onto the bed of the scanner without dislodging all of my “plumbing”.

Thanks Viv sounds reassuring x

marmaladeMum this is the thread I meant to tag you on! 

So I am due to start my 25 sessions of external radiotherapy a week Monday (on the 11th) - it’s close now, and though I want it to happen and get done, I’ve had a couple of wobbles this week, usually when I’m tired or haven’t eaten. I’m concerned about how I will cope with all the travelling back and forth, and also in case I get any short or long term side effects, but I know I just have to get on with it. 

Oh bless you, take it one day at a time. The actual radiotherapy session shouldn't take long but probably the travelling will be the tiring part. Maybe once or twice a week make a day of it go shopping or go for lunch, visit somewhere different, go for a walk somewhere you haven't been before. Try to focus on counting down each session, a bit like the advent calendar, count em down and they'll be gone and your done before you know it! As for the after effects.....well it's like me saying ' am I gonna have recurrence'? Do you see what I mean, you have been through so much already. And you can do this yiu are strong! X

Thanks Maddy - I have actually already entered my sessions in reverse order on the calendar, ie starting at 25! It should make it a bit easier for me as my first two weeks are 4 day weeks because of the bank holidays, then I have a full 5 day week, then another 4 day because of the early May bank holiday! Thanks so much for your encouragement and support.