Radiotherapy Support Thread (inc. Brachytherapy)

Oh thanks for this Anne, very reassuring! I think I can cope with micro !

Thank you for your kind thoughts 

I had 4 sessions of High dose Brachytherapy for stage 1A Serous and Clear cell womb cancer 6 years ago. Each session only about 10 mins. A bit longer for the first one to find best applicator size. No CT scan with applicator. I drove 30 mins, caught train, them walked about 30mins each way to hospital.  I did not suffer any side effects or need to take any additional time off work. It is undignified and a bit uncomfortable but I just told myself it would all be over quickly and looked forward to afternoon tea on the way home. BUT I only had brachytherapy.  Reading this thread for 6 years I know ladies who have had chemo, external radio and then Bracy can be quite exhausted by the end of it all. Which is not surprising. So I send my very best wishes to those going through treatment at the moment and say be kind to yourself. I know I have been very fortunate and just wish I had not spent so much time worrying! Xx

Hi Ema, thanks so much for sharing your experience. Glad you’re doing well too! 

Hi MarmiteFan59. Just wanted to say hoe the next few weeks go well. I'll be thinking of you.

Hugs, Barb xx

Hi Gwen my brachy seems to be the same as yours! My hospital only has brachy clinic twice weekly. So I had 1st on the Thursday then again on Monday and last 1 Thursday again so I had all mine within the week. I won't say it was easy but my spinal wore off quite quickly and I was in severe pain but on the last brachy the anesthetist came and gave me another sedative in my hand and I felt and was aware of nothing so it was pain free. Listen to your body and don't be afraid to ask for "a wee extra something" lol..good luck.

Angela xx

Hi Big bang theory Did you have the Brachytherapy where you had to lay still in bed for hours? Just wondered as I had no sedative?

Hugs, Barb xx

Hi. Apparently there's 2 different kinds of brachy..some ladies ddnt get a spinal as theirs was like a catheter tube inserted. Mine was the metal rods which were stitched into place(ouch) then taken for a CT then had to lay in bed flat for hours while the "plan" ws discussed? We had tea and toast then more waiting. The lady next to me still felt completely numb from her spinal despite hers being done way before mine. The anesthetist explained that my body burned it off after a few short hours so the first 2 "extractions" of the rods ( stitches and all) I felt every inch and it totally traumatized me! But the 3rd was a walk in the park with a little extra sedation. So I'd advise anyone to speak out( I mostly screamed) lol. But I think they thought I was overreacting, which I wasn't. But always ask for extra help. I'm glad I did in the end xx

Sorry to read this was so traumatic for you Big Bang Theory. I have just read your profile and see you had cervical cancer.  I don’t think Brachytherapy for womb cancer is ever as bad as the treatment you had to endure. Hope you are doing ok now.

Thanks Ema. I'm doing ok now. I know there's different brachytherapy treatments but wasn't sure who got what lol. This was my experience and I'm just glad it's over! Now the wait to see if treatment was successful. Good luck to us all xx