Brachytherapy after hysterectomy.

Hi Jigsaw,

I think we all worry about a recurrence. I'm not sure that will ever go away. I think you have to get on with life and try to forget cancer. Time will help. 

I know I was prepared to do anything to stop my cancer, but in the end I only needed a hysterectomy. I have to admit to being relieved!  I'm sure your present mood will pass, you sound a very upbeat kind of person. All the best   xxxx 

Thanks NannyAnny. I think in my heart of hearts I was so hoping that my consultant would say OK that's it, don't need any more treatment. I hadn't really thought about it coming back, I mean where could it go if my womb wasn't there any more??

I am a bit scared about the brachytherapy as you read such dire warnings about the side effects.  I s'pose they have to warn you, maybe some people don't get any side effects. Any one on this forum had it done? How did you get on?

I'm with you Jigsaw33, my 6th and final chemo is due on wednesday, providing the local lockdown starting on tuesday doesn't affect my treatment. 

Even though my cancer was caught early they still wanted me to have belts and braces chemo and brachytherapy. I was dreading the chemo but its not been too bad physically but l have had some real lows because of it, my energy levels are depleted.

As for brachytherapy really dreading it. My mum's had it and l quote "no worse than having a smear" but l think she's made of tougher stuff than me.

You must let me know how you get on, x

Hi LouEbelle, it's strange how the treatments can vary quite so much isn't it.  I s'pose everyone has their individual treatment plan.  My cancer had grown more than half way through the muscle in the womb, hence stage 1b.  I thought it had been caught really early, I only had symptoms for three weeks, and as soon as I had phoned my GP surgery and got referred on they disappeared! I am not looking forward to the brachytherapy either.  Will be a couple of weeks time I think as it's only just 4 weeks since I had my op.  Glad to hear you have got through your chemo without too many physical side effects.  It's the mental bit that is so hard isn't it. 

My worst bit but so far, apart from having cancer (!) is I have had to give myself anti clotting injections for four weeks.  It stings like mad and my legs are covered in massive bruises.

take care, stay safe and try to keep smiling, x

Hello Jigsaw33, 

Oh those jabs! I got so that l dreaded going to bed, 'specially with my partner following me up the stairs so eager to do it (l jest, but it certainly didn't bother him like it did me) too late l heard about using an ice cube to numb the skin before hand. I just got sore-er and sore-er and lm sure it was for six weeks.

Yes the chemo is over now. I said to the nurses as l left yesterday "Thank you ladies, its been a blast but the novelty's definately worn off now" I had no adverse reaction at all during any of the actual infusions (is that the right word?) And the 3 weeks between treatment were like this, week one first few days anti sickness and steroids, if l felt a bit ropey, took painkillers, sennacot, omeprasol. Week two miserable as sin but physically ok. Is it lockdown affecting my mood?  no distractions. Week 3, initially.back to normal but these last two times; low neutrophils (white blood cells) leading to exhaustion and being cold. Normal temperature though.

Which leads me on to my question, apart from the horror stories are you hearing anything positive about brachytherapy? The nurse says you'll be fine its no where as bad as you hear. I hope she's right. I hope its something you can recover from quickly, l'm sick of being knackered. I don't actually worry about the horror stories, but long term problems do concern me a bit.

Hope you and me and everyone else going through this make a full and brilliant recovery. Take care xx

I had three sessions of brachytherapy which was ok but the fatigue afterwards was more than I expected. I felt obliged to have it as it was grade 3.

Hi Galantophile, how are you now? Are you still in pain?

How long did you suffer fatigue after brachytherapy, weeks, months? 

I think my biggest fear is that l started  as a healthy 60 year old, had overcome all of my previous health issues and l fear l'm going to come out of this as a really old lady. 

I am feeling really worried about this brachytherapy after trawling through this forum and reading quite a few horror stories. I'm thinking is it worth even  having it. What's the point of reducing your recurrence risk by 10% if you are left with long term effects on bladder or bowel?  I am very healthy with no other issues and really don't want to end up with long term side effects.  Need a long chat with my consultant and/or radiologist I think.  Also, does everyone have to use those dilator things, or just a select few??

Dear Jigsaw33, l think we must be kindred spirits, l recognise everything you say. I cannot bear the idea of faffing about with dilators either and for what? I guess its different if you have/want a sex life. I would like it but its been too painful for years and now we are like Darby and Joan, sad to say.

One of the reasons for advising us to use dilators after  radiotherapy is to make it easier ( and more comfortable for us!) to do internal examinations during future checkups.  So ideally it is in our own interests to use them but follow the advice of your doctors/nurses. 

I did have the brachy as well as external RT .  Any bowel problems resolved themselves in a few months, I do have some bladder issues but it wasn't great before cancer and I am 82 now so I don't know how much is due to RT and how much due to my increasing age!    Brachy is only aimed at reducing the chance of recurrence in the vaginal vault. There is certainly an opinion that if that chance is low, Brachy could be kept in reserve to use if recurrence did occur.  I felt that it was sensible to take everything  was offered but had I been younger I would have been less certain.