Should I do radiation?

I had both external radio x 25 and brachy x 2. Both were belt and braces/an insurance policy - I was grade 1a and just a technical stage 2 as just a few cancerous cells were found on top of my cervix. The brachy was 6 mins per session and was a breeze. For me. For me, any reduction at all in likelihood of recurrence was important.

Hi Jespi

I would advise giving it some serious thought. Most ladies on here seem to tolerate brachytherapy well and do not seem to talk about anything other than some minor short term effects. 

I was stage 1B grade 3 and had chemotherapy and external radiotherapy after my surgery. I know that I did everything possible to avoid a recurrence. My doctor said it is better to avoid the recurrence in the first place, than trying to treat one. 

If you want to talk things over, perhaps give the Support Line a call. 

Jane

Had both .. external every day for 23 days  weekend off .. the 2 Bracky on consecutive days. 

I was stage 1 after surgery stage three  grade 2 type 1 ..

Extranel was good 

15 minutes approx for each treatment  

10 days of suppositories for the first 10 days was not so good .

Had to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated

Watched what i ate to avoid bloating..

Side affect for me were tiredness and exhaustion loose bowls urinating frequently but that could a combination of treatment and  all the water I was drinking .

Some discomfort but manageable!  

Radiotherapy teams are amazing 

Bracky was . Uncomfortable lasted about 10 minutes 

Side affects same as external I had not spotting .

Have dilators which I was advised to wait four weeks to use! 

Seriously have a think about it ,it is not to bad and very manageable and you are totally support! 

Hi i am Stage 1b and had my hysterectomy in sept. I have had 2 of my 3 Brachy sessions and am very glad i am doing it; am a bit tired but not sure if that’s the brachy or other stuff. No other side effects at this point. The staff are lovely too! 

Tangle123, I know some people can get tired with radio, but I think that the whole cancer thing (tests, waiting, diagnosis, waiting, op, waiting, treatment) is emotionally exhausting and that some if not most or all of the tiredness comes from that. 

Totally agree!

I really appreciate people's replies here, as I have the same questions.  

Seems side effects are not as bad as I expected? But the literature I have read suggested there is negative impact on being able to orgasm/negative impacts on your sex life and sexual function.. is that not something people have had experience of?

Hi Leolion, nope! I chose to use a silicone vibrator post treatment rather than the hard plastic dilators and that nicely woke things up! I tended to use the plastic dilators if I didn’t have much time and the vibrator if I had time to enjoy the experience! 

Started using dilators yesterday. Bit apprehensive but it went well no issues minimal discomfort.  

Well done Cariad1228. I actually used the smallest dilator *before” my brachytherapy to get myself used to something going up there! I found just before bath was easiest especially as it meant I could easily wash the lubricant off afterwards