Well I had my first brachytherapy session today and it wasn't anything like as bad as I expected. This will come as no surprise to those who know what a worry monkey I am. The applicator they used wasn't huge - about 1" in diameter - much less than a baby's head and a bit smaller than anything else which errr how can I put this, a married woman might have experienced! Except of course it is very hard and cold. It's not the most comfortable experience but by no means painful. The treatment itself didn't last long - for me it was 2mins 45 seconds - though I believe it's calculated on an individual basis for each person. I didn't feel a thing during the treatment and the entire thing was over in about 20 minutes which included being examined by the consultant. I drove myself there and home again. I have to admit to being a little sore in the surrounding area now but I think that may be because the radiotherapy had already caused some vaginal irritation. The nurse said there was a little smear of blood on the applicator when she took it out which is quite normal she said because the tissue is fragile there. The treatment couch is very comfortable and I was made more comfortable with pillows etc. I didn't have to put my legs in stirrups or anything and the radiograpyy therapists were very gentle, kind and respectful of my feelings. The doctor too was reassuring and kind. the treatment room was just like a normal examination room. I've no worries about my next two appointments which should be even quicker as I won'd need to be examined by the doctor and the calculations have already been done. I hope this reassures anyone who has vaginal brachytherapy coming up.
Not long to go now hysteria53, ok i know you have a couple of sessions left to do but maybe some celebrating is needed for a wonderful informative post which i am sure will help many ladies.
1 down, 2 to go....
_GBear Xxxx
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Oh yes the pampering sounds really good hysteria53, not long to go Friday should be nice, a good thing to look forward too.
_GBear Xxxx
What is a Community Champion? Womb cancer forum
Call the helpline for free on 08088080000, 8am to 8pm everyday.
“let hope be your lighthouse beckoning you though stormy seas" - Jessica de la Davies
Its an amazing thing what treatments are done to help us nowadays. But i have to agree 13 hour sessions and having the applicator in and having to lie still all that time sounds awfully uncomfortable. But its good to hear that there is other ways of doing the treatment and definitely a good idea to know exactly how they are going to do it, i think it helps to better prepare for it too.
_GBear Xxxx
What is a Community Champion? Womb cancer forum
Call the helpline for free on 08088080000, 8am to 8pm everyday.
“let hope be your lighthouse beckoning you though stormy seas" - Jessica de la Davies
