Dreamweaver

Thanks for remembering Lara - really kind of you. All went well once I'd got there. Made it with only a couple of minutes to spare: the traffic in town was horrendous today and lots of people were late for their appointments at the oncology centre. I was lucky, seemed to be only brachytherapy patient and not kept waiting at all.

Yesterday I'd a call from one of the radiographers - she'd been asked to ring me by my CNS to offer reassurance. I really appreciated that they'd realised my concerns and taken action. As I'd had no follow up from the consultant who carried out my op, they also arranged for another consultant to check out my vaginal cuff had healed OK before starting brachytherapy. Top marks to the team for their kindness and consideration.

MrsBJH's description of what happens was spot on, many thanks Barb for all the details. I found the treatment room rather cold (or maybe my shaking legs were down to nerves) and asked the radiographer to cover me with my jacket before they left me in the room with the machine that delivered the radiation. I had remembered to take along a favourite CD, which they played for the seven minutes I was exposed to treatment. In total, I was in the brachytherapy suite for 50 minutes. Next session on Tuesday morning!

I'd asked to see the applicator before treatment started: the radiographers suggested I'd be better to look at it afterwards (less scary in their view!). The first one thy tried to insert was too large: the second one fitted better and wasn't too uncomfortable. While the machine was beeping I started to worry I was going to cough, or that I needed a wee, and what might happen. Fortunately, the feelings passed and I made it to the end without mishap. When I saw the applicator, it was explained that the radiation is directed only at the top 4cm of the vagina. I was also told that this centre treats most people at 6 weeks post-op. Apparently it would be better done even earlier but post-op healing doesn't allow.

Once I'd dressed and left the treatment room I popped into the loo. My urine felt very hot (as did the applicator during removal from my vagina). Not sure why this might have been (possibly because I was so cold?) but all seems back to normal now.

Good to hear you've got your dates, hope they don't mess up your Christmas plans too much. I'll be thinking of you!

Take care,
Dx

Hi Dreamweaver

Glad to hear it wasn't too scary, it's not as bad as we thought it would be is it? I never did look at the applicator and also had to go down to a smaller size - it's like when I was a blood donor, never ever looked at the needle and that was nearly up to 50 donations (didn't get the gold badge - had developed a thyroid problem!) I also never watched as they inserted a canula - would be out like a light.

It was nice you could take a cd to listen to - I wasn't given the option - mind you if I'd taken in Charlie Brown by Coldplay I'd never have been still! I remember my treatment room seemed cold but think it was down to nerves. 

Roll on next week, then it'll all be over for you!

Lara - what a pain about those dates - wonder if they'll have a festive applicator for you! 

Bigs hugs to all, Barb xx 

Hi Barb,

Hope your recovery is going well, I really appreciate your support and encouragement.

Yesterday was Save the Children's Christmas Jumper day so me and my partner dug out our festive wear to brighten up the trip to hospital. Unfortunately, despite NHS staff being keen to take part, they hadn't been allowed. I do hope the rules might be relaxed a bit on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay when Lara has her appointments.

Good on you for your blood donations. My veins are so weedy that I was benched by the Blood Donation Service after several failed attempts a couple of years ago and am no longer on their database :-) Having blood taken as part of this cancer treatment has meant canulas in my wrists and inner forearms rather than the elbow crease - one of the nurses was ex A&E and amazing at finding veins: not a mark left afterwards and hardly knew a needle had been inserted!

So, next decision is which CD to take on Tuesday! Like you, I thought perhaps rock or heavy metal might not be the best choice when being required to stay still... I will be so glad when the treatment is complete. At the moment I feel in a relatively positive window: the impact of surgery on my body is declining and side effects from brachy not yet apparent. I'm feeling more hopeful for the future. Just need to beat this COVID pandemic next so 2021 is a better year than this one!

Best,
Dx

Hi Dreamweaver, glad to hear you’re getting through your treatment. I had three sessions of brachytherapy, one per week, and it’s surprising how quickly it goes.  I always felt tired out after my sessions, but was fine again the next day.  That was probably tension! I always wanted to move once everything was in place but was too worried to even twitch a toe.  The room was always freezing, tho luckily the kind staff would place a blanket over me - helped to give me a little dignity too! It’s a very lonely place when they all March out of the room. They supplied the music....it was sea shanties from the Fisherman’s Friends! I think they only had one cd! After my treatment had finished I thought I would be celebrating, but actually I felt nothing, just relief it was done.

 Lara5 that’s a bit unlucky with your dates but it is good you are moving forward...and it’s not like everyone will be partying on those days, given the situation this year.  My advice is do not ask to see the applicators! I think Dreamweaver must have temporarily lost her sanity there!  All the team who looked after me were so considerate and kind, I hope yours are too. 

A festive applicator Barb? Do you mean it might have holly on the end or a great big shiny bauble, ha ha. Sorry Lara, don’t mean to scare you, it’s really not to bad!

So, on the whole we are all getting this done, onwards and upwards girls.

Viv

Hi there

I'm so glad my reports helped to pave the way a bit. If I can ever help remove the fear in the whole of this situation I will! 

I remember after my last session I got into my car and sobbed my heart out, all of the tension of the last few months seemed to overwhelm me. I had to wait 15 minutes until I was ok, then drove home. My body's back to normal and just that one day of problems after brachy. Still getting used to using dilators and I do confess Fanny hasn't met Peter Rabbit yet - he's too big haha (Viv will know what I'm alluding to!)

I truly hope 2021 will be a better year, certainly can't be worse than this one!

Big hugs, Barb xx 

Still grinning over your reference to holly and baubles!

Barb xx

Just thought of a brilliant cd track to take - The End Of The Line by Travelling Wilburys - mind you on the other hand you won't be able to keep still! 

Bxx

Festive applicator

so long as there is no holly on it lol

thanks for all the encouragement from everyone will be glad when done dusted ready to start a new year

good luck everyone 

stay safe x

Hi Barb,

Had my second brachy today - took along Einaudi's Islands CD this time. Very peaceful relaxing music to stop me jigging about the table :-) The radiographer's keen on this composer's music so donated the CD to the department for them to enjoy (and for anxious patients of the future).

It really does feel the loneliest place in the world for the seven minutes you're there on the table. Whole session took about 25 minutes as we spent a while talking about my job in reducing energy use in buildings and their problems with heating systems in the NHS. Took my mind off the treatment at least :-)

Hope all well with you and Peter...
Dx

How lovely to donate the CD. I'll have to have a listen to it. Made me think about suitable music and I thought the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana - but that makes me cry!

Just think it'll be all over on Thursday!!

Peter's broken, only doing one speed  - don't know if was me haha but set me on a new voyage to check out the best!

Take care and write soon.

Big hugs, Barb xx