Brachytherapy

Hi Adele, I had 2 x brachytherapy (and 25 radio) in 2022 following a laparoscopic hysterectomy. I was 62 at the time and had been through the menopause 5-6 years before. Well done for having has your hysterectomy - was it laparoscopic or open surgery? Brachytherapy for me was a breeze. I had one appointment with a mini CT where a nurse established the size of tube appropriate for me and trialled it gently with some lubrication. Then at a separate appointment (some hospitals do the trial and the first appointment together), the tube was gently inserted - it felt like a tampon going in really - then the probe was inserted into the tube, music was on and when two songs (6 mins) was up I was done and out. The brachytherapy suite was quiet, warm and private and I preferred it to the external radio sessions! 

Hi that’s good to know for me too. Thank you. Xx

Hi there and thank you for your quick response and encouragement!

I am 62 years old too and have been post menopausal for 7 years when I started spotting in January this year.

I had a laparascopic hysterectomy which was amazing and not as bad as I thought it would be and I am now 9 weeks post op.

I feel as though the next stage of this journey will be more uncomfortable and unsettling than the first stage so it's good to hear from others who have been through it.

I am now waiting for my appointment.

Take care. 

Adele xx

Hi adele

me too I am 5 weeks post op and getting quite anxious about the next steps which are more than likely chemo and radiotherapy. So it’s good to hear from others 

qishing everyone well on their next part of their journeys 

Wishing you well on the next part of your journey too

Take care and look after yourself

Adele xx

Hi again Adele, mine was laparoscopic and as my uterus etc was removed via my vagina I knew there’d be enough room there for the tube and probe! You can ask your CNS to have a brachytherapy nurse give you a call prior to your appointment to chat it through and ask questions - that’s what I did! 

That's a good idea about chatting to a brachytherapy nurse.

As you say re the uterus being removed via the vagina, mine was too.

Thanks again for replying. Xx

As I understand it, the most common place for possible recurrence is the underside of where the cervix was, so that’s why brachytherapy is often advised for prevention - and it’s easier to prevent recurrence than to treat it. 

After I had my pre appointment and chat, and was given my dilators and lube, I decided to use the smallest dilator *before* my first brachy session just to prepare myself. That was just something I decided to do myself. 

Hi Adele

i to had clear cell cancer stage 1 and had surgery, chemo and 2 rounds of brachytherapy. I did not find brachy to be at all difficult just a bit embarrassing. You seem to have dodged chemo which was the worst for me. Good luck with the rest of your journey.