Vaginal vault brachhtherapy

I don't have any experience of brachtherapy but wanted to wish you all the best for it. It sounds like the oncologist did a great job explaining it to you and I hope you find that reassuring. 

HI Nightingale 19

I had Grade 2 Stage 1B endometrial cancer.  I had an open hysterectomy followed by three brachytherapy.  I was told having the Brachy reduces the risk of recurrent to between 2 to 5%.  I'm happy with that.  The treatment itself was slightly uncomfortable first time and subsequent much easier.  The treatments were 9 minutes then two 12 minutes.  Side effects have been bowel irritation (I have had frequent UTI's for the past 5 years,so nothing new there), and diarrhea, more when I have eaten fatty foods (so I've cut that out now).  Being a Type 2 Diabetic isn't helping the diet either.  But, I'm glad I'm here and I'm glad for the team that have looked after me and I'm SO GLAD WE HAVE OUR NHS.  I wish you well going forward and try not to overthink things.

Dear Nightingale 

I was in a very similar position to you four years ago (Serous and clear cell stage 1A).  I had four short doses of brachytherapy over two weeks.  I found it undignified and slightly uncomfortable but not painful and was fortunate not to suffer any side effects. I have just had my four year checkup and all is good.

very best wishes xx

Hi Nightingale 

I had 4 high does of brachytherapy over a 2 week period...I'd already had 25 rounds of pelvic radiotherapy so was very tender round my lady bits!

Mine was for lower vigamal cancer, still 2cm left of the tumor (I had chemotherapy too). Its not nice, it is uncomfortable and everyone reacts differently, but it's worth it.

Side effects were bowel issues, urge to go, but a tweak of diet sorted that, my bladder was off for a couple of months too, but I used a bladder training technique and that sorted itself out.

They may also recommend the use of vaginal dialators because of the chance of shortening or narrowing, that's something they will talk to you about.

I'm 11 months post treatment, I got told I was NED end of April, got my 12 month scan in January..fingers and toes crossed..

A year ago today since my surgery. I was also grade 3 so had the 4 rounds of brachytherapy in February. The treatment itself is ok, not painful and doesn’t last long (about 10 minutes per session) although the first session is longer as they have to do a scan. I found the after effects to be extreme fatigue and the healing process has taken a lot longer that I expected. And of course the vaginal dialators. The nurse will explain how to use them. 
Wishing you good luck in your recovery.

Hi NIghtingale, 

How are you doing now?  Any bleeding or spotting?

No no bleeding or spotting. Main issues are over sensitive bladder inc getting woken in night for urgent  pee - which did not happen after hysterectomy had settled down only since brachytherapy - and still getting air locks in back passage. Told oncologist this at checkup and he said  needed to drink more and take more exercise. Drinking more and taking more exercise is a bit tricky when drinking more makes you liable to get caught short suddenly but in any case has not been possible during lockdown.