Radiotherapy Support Thread (inc. Brachytherapy)

Well done Muse! So glad you're going to be sticking around. I value everyone's support. 3 of 25 done and yesterday and today went very smoothly. No problem with the enema on either day. At the moment, am still eating my normal diet, but smaller portions and have swapped wholemeal seeded bread for white sourdough. Stomach already a bit gurgly after I have eaten, but not uncomfortable as yet. However, it's very early days and am sure, it won't be this straightforward for all 5 weeks. A woman.rang the bell this morning, which was very emotional. Think I will do that, when all treatment, including chemo, has finished.

Hi Lovetowalk, well done for being 3 treatments in! Just to say that sourdough bread is typically not as gentle on the stomach as ordinary white bread, so that might possibly account for the gurgliness. 

Oh ok. Thank you. I thought that because it was partly fermented already and friends with slight wheat intolerance, find it easier on the stomach, that it would be better than white bread. Will take your advice and try ordinary white bread instead.

Well done Muse,

Love to walk, from a gluten sensitivity point of view I totally get that (as have that myself) but I think as it’s partly fermented it may be more inclined to produce wind. During treatment I found supermarket white rolls to be okay, but then switched to a plain bog standard wholemeal when my gluten sensitivity symptoms started up.

Good morning. For the first time in weeks I haven’t had a good nights sleep. Woke up around 05:00 and not dropped back off. I have no where to be today so can always nap later if tired. 

I just wondered about others experience of brachytherapy. I found in the night that my vagina feels rather warm. It’s the only way I can describe it. It’s an unusual feeling not painful but odd. I could imagine it glowing. I wondered if psychological re the idea of the radioactive grain but there’s definitely a sensation. I likely won’t be as distracted once I am up. 

I agree. I quite like sourdough crumpets but was advised that the fermentation can cause wind or as put gurgling. Of course eating white bread (I am currently using a rather nice Warburton one called Old English) and white rice is rather yummy now I have become used to them plus cornflakes! I am sure that I will ease back into my high fibre diet as the gastronomical side effects ease up. 

Thank you. Hope you sleep better tonight Muse.

Hi Muse, between my two brachy sessions (a week apart) I had a sensation of warmth when I peed, so I think some increased temperature issues in that area are quite common. I was still having external radio at that time and the radiologist told me it was normal and temporary and should stop on its own - and it did! 

Yes, I have that too. I had my brachytherapy just 2 days apart. As suspected I am no longer aware of extra warmth in vagina area now I am getting on with my day though when I pee it’s slightly warm.