Just thought I’d give an account of my Brachytherapy experience for any ladies who will be having it in the future. For me Brachytherapy was the final stage in my treatment plan. I had 5 weeks of Chemoradiation i.e. 25 sessions of daily radiotherapy and 5 weekly chemo that I’ve detailed in my weekly posts. Brachy started last Thursday which was the day after my final radiotherapy. The first session was the longest but in total was only just under an hour from arriving at the unit. Unlike radiotherapy there was no need to have a full bladder, although I had to empty my bladder just before entering the room. Once in the room I was given an internal examination, without a speculum, to gauge the size of the applicator needed. They then made up the applicator which was a tube with a long handle and inserted it into the vagina. I was then scanned to ensure it was in the correct place and once this was confirmed it was fixed in place by a board on the bed. I was then transferred across to a trolley and wheeled into the treatment room. Once in there I was connected to the machine that would deliver the radiation affectionately called Snoopy as it has a long “nose” ! A computer works out the treatment duration and mine was 6 minutes, the staff left the room and treatment started, I felt nothing just could hear a beeping from behind and intermittent whirring from the machine attached to me. After 6 mins I was detached and that was it !
My second treatment was this Tuesday, no internal needed as they already knew the size, then same routine as previously, applicator inserted, scanned, then treatment in the next room, this time was 6.30 mins - the radiographer explained that the strength of the radiation decreases with each treatment so the time would slightly increase to ensure the same dose.
Third and final treatment today was the same but for 6.39 minutes, I left home at 9.00 and was back home by 10.15 !
For me, Brachytherapy has been a breeze, the team keep you covered to maintain dignity, although to be honest Im past caring after all the prodding poking etc over the last few months, After my second treatment I had a little bit of stinging yesterday when going for a wee but that’s gone today, still got a bit of diarrhoea but getting better, although brachy might make it flare again hopefully it’ll be short lived.
So for any ladies having this in the future- don’t worry, it’s not as daunting as you might think.
Best of all today marks my final treatment day - what will I do with all that time ?
Hugs to all Chrissie xx 
Once again, thanks for making these treatments sound so do-able. I'd previously described brachy as undignified - the nurses are always brilliant at maintaining one's dignity - it's the idea of having something attached to a trolley inserted into one's vagina is undignified! As you say, we've all been pushed and prodded so much we all get to a "who cares" moment. I like the name Snoopy!
Well done for completing all your treatments and keeping us informed along the way! Enjoy some "me time"
Big hugs, Barb xx
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