Radiotherapy support

Yes, I am glad I spoke to someone too, its eased my worries to know this is a normal side effect. It had not been mentioned to me before, only vaginal dryness was mentioned. 

I think they often upgrade cancer. Before the hysterectomy my consultant was talking about grade 1 and likely low stage endometrial cancer. Histology came back saying grade 2 stage 3 and my oncologist says stage 3c due to lymph node involvement. It was a shock. 

I already knew I had the BRCA1 gene mutation and mistakenly thought it was all about breast cancer. I had no idea that it can increase your odds of getting any gynaecological cancer. However, hormones played a big part in my cancer too as I had low progesterone for over 20 years beforehand. No one told me low progesterone is a risk factor and I wasn't offered progesterone or any advice about it back then. 

I hope your genetic testing is helpful to you. I found knowing helped me understand how I got here and also allowed me to tell my daughters. 

Hope you recover from Brachytherapy side effects ok. 

Its my second dance with cancer - I had a brain tumour as a child, I'm finding it all a bit worrying

I am sorry to hear this and can understand you worrying. Good that you recovered from the brain tumour as a child. Hope the genetic testing is helpful and hope you recover from Brachytherapy side effects ok. 

I understand what you mean, its horrible to deal with the side effects of these treatments but we have them to reduce the chances of recurrance. xx 

Dolly3 I hope your Brachytherapy goes well. I start Brachytherapy tomorrow so we are both having Brachytherapy next week. xx 

Am glad you called and got some advice. Hopefully tomorrow they can offer some creams or something that will help. Good luck for tomorrow

Thank you. I arrived at the hospital and they examined me and told me that I have a fungal infection (much worse than experienced before). They said it is quite common with immune system being low after radiotherapy. They were able to offer me oral medication for the infection which I took and in doing so, was able to have Brachytherapy treatment. The Brachytherapy did not hurt thankfully. Will update when I finish Brachytherapy. I am just starting to wonder if there will be any scans after treatment finishes as no one has mentioned anything, but will ask the oncologist when I see her in August. 

Hi Angiaqua, I asked my oncologist if there was any scans after my treatment finished and was told “there’s nothing to scan!” 

I've jsut had my six week follow up to my treatment and the oncologist was going to book me in for a CT scan, but I was already due to have an abdominal one the following day for something else so he said he'd take a look at the results of that one.  I can only imagine that they'll be looking a the pelvic area in general to see if there's anything abnormal showing up

Hi Angiaqua

im so glad you got some treatment to help and hope it clears up the infection. Hope the rest of your brachy treatment goes ok. Like you, I was hoping there might be a scan in six months to check all is ok in pelvic/abdominal area. I don’t think so via the NHS in Scotland, as advised I would be patient initiated follow-up. 

That's good to hear that the hospital were able to help and you had your treatment.

H