Bracytherapy

Hi Glama well done for having had your op! Is it the combined chemo/radio that you’re having? I had 25 x radiotherapy in 2022 and 2 x brachytherapy and honestly the brachytherapy was a breeze. Felt not much different from a tampon being gently inserted, then 6 mins (two music tracks long) and off home I went! No side effects other than a slight warm feeling when I peed on the first day. The best thing I did was to speak to my CNS nurse about it - and she arranged for a brachytherapy nurse to phone me beforehand so I could ask any questions I had. It made a difference speaking to someone really in the know - and who was also there on the day itself. 

Hi Marmiter yes I'm having treatment same as you + 2 brachytherapy and then 4 cycles of chemo on its own..its a different hospital that im having the B at its Christies in Manchester and the lady consultant is adamant that in her opinion I dont need and can't have a?light sedation for this procedure as apparently its not the full on B that you would have for cervical cancer ( mines endometrial) so she considers it unnecessary. I tried to tell her that its my anxiety and low pain threshold but she brushed it to one side  saying i could take 2 paracetamol  beforehand and  because I was on my own I felt brow beaten into accepting it but im not happy about it at all and just felt she was getting out of patience  with me because I dared speak up.and wasn't just agreeing with her.Also I had to have an internal examination ( my own consultant  at Preston had very recently given me one 2 weeks prior without speculam) but she insisted she needed to do one there and then to check i would be ok to have the B, I said ok and she then brought another young girl into the room introducing her as a chaperone but it was her that was gloved up and did the exam whilst the consultant stood by chatting to me ( I wasn't asked if I minded a student doing the exam) consequently I feel my wishes were of no importance  to her at all and I dont trust what she says at all now about the B fearing she would say anything to just get the job done..I know its in best interest to have the B ,and I will, but she hasn't alleviated  my worry at all..so thankyou for your response and hopefully I will have the same experience  as you at least you know what it felt like rather than someone whose never had it done telling g me it would be ok..

Hi again Glam, I had an internal exam and mini CT scan as prep for my brachytherapy in 2022 but I know some hospitals nowadays just do the internal so that’s normal. I’m sorry you’re worried and I feel for you for you but for me it didn’t hurt at all. The thought of it was worse than the actual thing - the nurses were caring and lovely, and once the small tube was in and the treatment started I didn’t really feel anything. Music was played and it was over before I knew it. Certainly wouldn’t have needed any pain relief. I’m sure it wasn’t helped by the apparent lack of empathy from the consultant but the brachytherapy nurses will be different. I’d suggest contacting your CNS and asking her if a brachy nurse from Christie’s could phone you. As I understand it, where the cervix was is the most common site for recurrence, so this treatment was important to me. And honestly it’s super quick. I was in and out within 10 mins or so,

Another thing I did in preparation was this: I’d already been given the pack of dilators for use after treatment but I used the smallest one at home the day or two before treatment so that I’d accustom myself to the feeling of something being up there. For me that made it easier on the day as it didn’t feel much different. 

Hi Glama21.

I just want to add that I had 4 Brachytherapy sessions after my radical hysterectomy and chemo and like MarmiteFan51 I found them totally painless and over and done with  very quickly. The nurses and consultant were lovely. They were considerate and personable and made the whole appointment perfectly "normal."

They allowed 30 mins for each appointment from the moment I was called in until I left and I was never in there more than 20 mins. 

Good luck but I hope you find it as easy as I did.

I'm sorry you have not felt your concerns have been heard.I was very anxious about brachytherapy too. There are lots of women who find aspects of care and treatment a challenge. There is a product called instillagel which is a topical local anaesthetic gel which can be used. I was prescribed an anti anxiety tablet to be taken before each treatment too.  Perhaps it would be good to chat it over with your GP as they may be able to prescribe or liaise with the hospital. 

The brachytherapy staff were great, very understanding and helpful. Have a think about anything you would like them to know that can be helpful to you. 

Sending best wishes