SALLY: about the brachytherapy

2

Comments

  • howdybooth
    howdybooth Member Posts: 42
    #22
    Deblittleton said:

    Thanks Sally
    Hugs to you Sally. Good luck on Mon.

    Debbie

    Dark Ages
    My sister's talked to her Rad. Onc. and she has no idea of what you guys, Debbie and Sally, went through! According to her, your treatment sounded like something from the dark ages.....maybe it's the differences in the hospitals? My sister is getting treated through Texas Tech teaching hospital. Her treatment is going to be like Linda's. You gals are right though......take control of your own health care......
  • kansasgal
    kansasgal Member Posts: 122 Member
    #23
    Deblittleton said:

    Thanks Sally
    Hugs to you Sally. Good luck on Mon.

    Debbie

    Brachy #3 OK like #2
    Hi, Debbie!
    I had my 3rd & final brachytherapy this morning. Again, NO PAIN, just like brachy #2. I think the problem with the first round was the use of a cylinder that was just too large for my body. The catheterization went pretty well, too, though not quite as well as last week. This week, too, I was out in less than 2 hours. That included a long talk afterward with the rad/onc.

    Let's hope yours goes well, too, this week!!
    Sally
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #24
    kansasgal said:

    Brachy #3 OK like #2
    Hi, Debbie!
    I had my 3rd & final brachytherapy this morning. Again, NO PAIN, just like brachy #2. I think the problem with the first round was the use of a cylinder that was just too large for my body. The catheterization went pretty well, too, though not quite as well as last week. This week, too, I was out in less than 2 hours. That included a long talk afterward with the rad/onc.

    Let's hope yours goes well, too, this week!!
    Sally

    YEAH!!
    Sally....GREAT news....am so glad that this is now behind you and you can get on with your life! Dance on!!

    Karen
  • maryln3
    maryln3 Member Posts: 62
    #25
    lindaprocopio said:

    Deb, I honestly don't know.
    I don't know enough about the various types of brachytherapy to know what they call the type I was given. They did use a cylinder that was initially inserted while I was on the 'positioning CT table.' I had an initial 'simulation' appointment before the brachys, where I had the initial CT-scan with this cylinder inserted. The simulation was the only brachy CT-scan where I had to fast beforehand and where they used IV-contrast for the scan. During the simulation I was fitted with a silicone-looking hollow tapered 'cylinder' (but closed on the tapered in that went in first and only open on the end that went in last). It was no more uncomfortable than a tampon, and was slicked up with a ton of lubricant, so much that I worried about it sliding out too soon if I coughed or clenched my muscles at all.

    Then at each of the 3 brachys, I would start out on the CT-positioning table and they would insert the vaginal 'cylinder' there, line up my original psoitioning CT-scan film with a CT-scan they would do each time, sometimes jiggling the 'cylinder' to get it in just right. Then they would slide me and the board under me onto a wheeled gurney, careful to keep me exactly in position, and wheel me into the brachy room. On the days of my brachys, I didn't have to fast or have an enema or anything, and they didn't use barium or IV contrast for the 'day of' CT-scans. No catheter, no rectal marker, just the vaginal cylinder.

    Then I'd wait, vaginal cylinder in place, in the brachy room, for the 'physics' doc to come in and tell me about the current half-life of the radioactive material and let me know how many seconds the radioactive material would be inside me (always less than 8 minutes). When the oncologist was ready, I'd be alone in the room and the radioactive material was inserted robotically into the vaginal cylinder. It never hurt at all; before, during or after the treatment. When all the whirring and blinking lights stopped, the physics doc would come in and geiger-counter me, and then the technicians and oncologist would remove the cylinder and help me off the table. From the time I entered the building until I left it was never more than an hour total.

    If you can get this type of brachytherapy, go for it. Not only is it painless and less degrading, it is less damaging and just as effective. ((((HUG))))

    i am getting the kind u have
    let me ask...are u overed up during this procedures...or bare **** naked....
  • kansasgal
    kansasgal Member Posts: 122 Member
    #26
    maryln3 said:

    i am getting the kind u have
    let me ask...are u overed up during this procedures...or bare **** naked....

    Covered Up!
    I was able to keep my shirt, bra, and clinic gown on with the gown pushed up to my abdomen. At first I was covered from neck to toes by heated thin blankets and/or sheets. Except when having the catheter inserted (5 to 10 minutes, depending on the session) and later when the internal radiation cylinder was inserted and positioned and the external equipment was being positioned between my thighs (5-10 minutes), and later when the radiation machine was attached to the equipment sitting between my thighs (3-6 minutes), and the radiation machine detached and all of the internal & external equipment removed (4-6 minutes), and the catheter removed (2 minutes), my lower body was covered by a sheet. I was really grateful for this covering while I was wheeled from the radiation room to the CT positioning room and then back again to the radiation room! So, although I was covered, the covers kept being moved off and then back on as the session progressed. The equipment between my thighs and I were all covered during the positioning CT scan, during the actual radiation treatment, and during the times I was waiting for the "next event".
    Hope this info helps!
  • Deblittleton
    Deblittleton Member Posts: 56 Member
    #27
    kkstef said:

    YEAH!!
    Sally....GREAT news....am so glad that this is now behind you and you can get on with your life! Dance on!!

    Karen

    Brachy #3
    I thought my lucky day was going to be 09-09-09, but the machine broke down. So today I had my last brachy. It went very well. From start to finish it took 35 min including all the hugs and good lucks. I explained to everyone that worked in radiation what "Dancing with Ned" meant. They got a kick out of that. From Jan 20th to now has been a long time. Now all treatments are over.

    Tonight Jim and I are going out to dinner to celebrate then back to friends' house for a champagne toast. I will toast you all that are dancing or waiting for that special dance.

    Deb
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #28
    Deblittleton said:

    Brachy #3
    I thought my lucky day was going to be 09-09-09, but the machine broke down. So today I had my last brachy. It went very well. From start to finish it took 35 min including all the hugs and good lucks. I explained to everyone that worked in radiation what "Dancing with Ned" meant. They got a kick out of that. From Jan 20th to now has been a long time. Now all treatments are over.

    Tonight Jim and I are going out to dinner to celebrate then back to friends' house for a champagne toast. I will toast you all that are dancing or waiting for that special dance.

    Deb

    Congratulations on being OUT of Treatment!
    I am so happy to hear of you being OUT of treatment!! It is FABulous to not be 'doctoring' all the time! I am still grinning about it, and my last brachy was July 1st!

    Celebrate closing the door in that chapter of your life. You're a bone-fide suvivor now and I hope that you will consider yourself CURED until some test shows differently, hopefully forever. Allow yourself to be happy and use your remission to regain your strength and vibrant health. I am smiling my face off for you!
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #29
    lindaprocopio said:

    Congratulations on being OUT of Treatment!
    I am so happy to hear of you being OUT of treatment!! It is FABulous to not be 'doctoring' all the time! I am still grinning about it, and my last brachy was July 1st!

    Celebrate closing the door in that chapter of your life. You're a bone-fide suvivor now and I hope that you will consider yourself CURED until some test shows differently, hopefully forever. Allow yourself to be happy and use your remission to regain your strength and vibrant health. I am smiling my face off for you!

    I ditto LInda's comments.
    I ditto LInda's comments. Congrats Deb. Enjoy life!!
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #30
    Deblittleton said:

    Brachy #3
    I thought my lucky day was going to be 09-09-09, but the machine broke down. So today I had my last brachy. It went very well. From start to finish it took 35 min including all the hugs and good lucks. I explained to everyone that worked in radiation what "Dancing with Ned" meant. They got a kick out of that. From Jan 20th to now has been a long time. Now all treatments are over.

    Tonight Jim and I are going out to dinner to celebrate then back to friends' house for a champagne toast. I will toast you all that are dancing or waiting for that special dance.

    Deb

    Congratulations Deb
    It is such a good feeling to be done with treatments. I am so happy for you. Glad you went out to celebrate. May you continue to celebrate for a long time. In peace and caring. HUGS to you.
  • Deblittleton
    Deblittleton Member Posts: 56 Member
    #31
    Ro10 said:

    Congratulations Deb
    It is such a good feeling to be done with treatments. I am so happy for you. Glad you went out to celebrate. May you continue to celebrate for a long time. In peace and caring. HUGS to you.

    Thanks
    I am back from celebrating. Your words of encouragement and caring have meant the world to me. Thank you and HUGS to you all.

    Deb
  • kansasgal
    kansasgal Member Posts: 122 Member
    #32
    Deblittleton said:

    Thanks
    I am back from celebrating. Your words of encouragement and caring have meant the world to me. Thank you and HUGS to you all.

    Deb

    Deb - So Thankful You Were With Me
    Debbie - It's been wonderful to have you with me during the DOWNS and then UPS of our brachytherapy. I'm delighted that you have completed your regimen. I'm almost there. Only 2 more rounds of chemo. The next is 9/18 if my blood is OK.

    Truly, it has really meant a lot to me to have you by my side. - Sally
  • Deblittleton
    Deblittleton Member Posts: 56 Member
    #33
    kansasgal said:

    Deb - So Thankful You Were With Me
    Debbie - It's been wonderful to have you with me during the DOWNS and then UPS of our brachytherapy. I'm delighted that you have completed your regimen. I'm almost there. Only 2 more rounds of chemo. The next is 9/18 if my blood is OK.

    Truly, it has really meant a lot to me to have you by my side. - Sally

    You are almost there
    That's great! Only 2 more to go. It won't be long then it is time to celebrate! I'll be thinking of you 9/18. Good luck.
  • susie1143
    susie1143 Member Posts: 105
    #34
    Deblittleton said:

    You are almost there
    That's great! Only 2 more to go. It won't be long then it is time to celebrate! I'll be thinking of you 9/18. Good luck.

    Upcoming Brachy Treatment
    As per my second opinion, I go for my first Brachy on Tuesday, Nov 3rd. There will be a total of 4 (2 per week). After reading this post, I will make sure the doctor uses a small instument. Just for the record just a tampon is painful for me so needless to say I'm a bit nervous. From reading this post, it sounds like I have the more modern version. My doctor told me about the inpatient and that he does it outpatient and it's fairly fast. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Susie (Lilly the Clown)
  • ro_NJ
    ro_NJ Member Posts: 11
    #35
    brachytherapy
    Hi

    I didn't know there were other types either, I just finished with my 25 external, and 4 internal treatments... but I had the whole nine yards, the cath, the bowel marker, plus the CT Scan - following that was the room without a view and a little seed.

    My question is, Why do you neeed to use a dilator daily?
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #36
    ro_NJ said:

    brachytherapy
    Hi

    I didn't know there were other types either, I just finished with my 25 external, and 4 internal treatments... but I had the whole nine yards, the cath, the bowel marker, plus the CT Scan - following that was the room without a view and a little seed.

    My question is, Why do you neeed to use a dilator daily?

    Scar tissue can form from the radiation. Some onocologists recommend the dilators, and others, like mine, said as long as you are sexually active you do not need the dilators. He said the scar tissue can form within the first six months after treatment. I have not had any problems so I have not used the dilators. Linda however uses hers daily. You need to see what your radiation onocologist recommends for you. In peace and caring.
  • susie1143
    susie1143 Member Posts: 105
    #37
    Ro10 said:

    Scar tissue can form from the radiation. Some onocologists recommend the dilators, and others, like mine, said as long as you are sexually active you do not need the dilators. He said the scar tissue can form within the first six months after treatment. I have not had any problems so I have not used the dilators. Linda however uses hers daily. You need to see what your radiation onocologist recommends for you. In peace and caring.

    My Brachy starts next week
    Ok girls, very nervous about upcoming brachy treatments. I'm thrilled and thankful that no other treatment after surgery was needed but still nervous. I go Monday afternoon for the set up (I guess the C-Scan and whatever else they need to do). Then Tuesday morning is my actual first treatment. (Total of 4 treatments, 2 per week)

    I work with children and I am on my feet the whole time at work (3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon). At this point, I took off the rest of the day and told my manager that I may not be able to work the next day and she's been great.
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #38
    susie1143 said:

    My Brachy starts next week
    Ok girls, very nervous about upcoming brachy treatments. I'm thrilled and thankful that no other treatment after surgery was needed but still nervous. I go Monday afternoon for the set up (I guess the C-Scan and whatever else they need to do). Then Tuesday morning is my actual first treatment. (Total of 4 treatments, 2 per week)

    I work with children and I am on my feet the whole time at work (3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon). At this point, I took off the rest of the day and told my manager that I may not be able to work the next day and she's been great.

    Good luck Susie
    Hope all goes well for you next week. I know how anxious you must feel due to the unknown. I hope the treatments go well for you. In peace and caring.
  • wje630
    wje630 Member Posts: 11
    #39
    Using A Dilator
    Hi Linda

    I was browsing the board the other day and came across a message from a lady whose husband had invented a new type of dilator for her to use. She said he made it for her because it was too painful for her to use the regular kind of dilators. It was called Cool Water Cone. She was kind enough to send me one in the mail free of charge. They do have a web site and I have tried to find her post on here since then so I could thank her and let her know how it is working for me but evidently they took her post off. Maybe they thought she was advertising them or something. Anyway, if any of you out there are having a problem using the hard plastic type of dilator, these are made of some type of material that is 90% water and you keep them in the refrigerator to keep them cool and you don't have to use any kind of lubricant with them, just run them under cool water and insert. For me they are more comfortable for sure. I wish I could find her post, I can't even remember her user name or I would search under that. I am going in for my yearly exam on Friday and I am going to ask my gyn about using the hormone cream like you do. For now I was prescribed Vagifem to insert twice weekly but doing it your way makes more sense to me. Glad you didn't have the trouble I am having. It has been 4 years and it is still painful.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #40
    wje630 said:

    Using A Dilator
    Hi Linda

    I was browsing the board the other day and came across a message from a lady whose husband had invented a new type of dilator for her to use. She said he made it for her because it was too painful for her to use the regular kind of dilators. It was called Cool Water Cone. She was kind enough to send me one in the mail free of charge. They do have a web site and I have tried to find her post on here since then so I could thank her and let her know how it is working for me but evidently they took her post off. Maybe they thought she was advertising them or something. Anyway, if any of you out there are having a problem using the hard plastic type of dilator, these are made of some type of material that is 90% water and you keep them in the refrigerator to keep them cool and you don't have to use any kind of lubricant with them, just run them under cool water and insert. For me they are more comfortable for sure. I wish I could find her post, I can't even remember her user name or I would search under that. I am going in for my yearly exam on Friday and I am going to ask my gyn about using the hormone cream like you do. For now I was prescribed Vagifem to insert twice weekly but doing it your way makes more sense to me. Glad you didn't have the trouble I am having. It has been 4 years and it is still painful.

    I knew that post on the water dilators would get yanked.
    Any time a post seems to be promoting a product and encouraging folks to contact the poster about it, that breaks the rules here. (Even when I posted asking for recipes for a Relay for Life Cookbook that post was yanked because it broke their Solicitation rule.)

    Please be careful about the hormone cream, as MOST uterine cancers are Type 1 and hormone receptive, and you sure don't want to be feeding your cancer. In my case my cancer was 100% papillary serous, which is a Type 2 cancer cell not receptive to hormones. (UPSC is Grade 3 but TYPE 2. And mine is Stage 3, so it's REALLY confusing!) I still use only the tiniest dab possible and only 3 times a week, using regular lubricant the other 4 days weekly. But UPSC is a very rare uterine cancer, so make sure what you have is a Type 2 cancer cell before you ask for hormones.

    I am so sorry that using a dilator is painful for you. Did you start immediately after your radiation? I started the very next day and never have any pain at ALL; usually even falling back asleep when it's in.
  • kansasgal
    kansasgal Member Posts: 122 Member
    #41
    susie1143 said:

    My Brachy starts next week
    Ok girls, very nervous about upcoming brachy treatments. I'm thrilled and thankful that no other treatment after surgery was needed but still nervous. I go Monday afternoon for the set up (I guess the C-Scan and whatever else they need to do). Then Tuesday morning is my actual first treatment. (Total of 4 treatments, 2 per week)

    I work with children and I am on my feet the whole time at work (3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon). At this point, I took off the rest of the day and told my manager that I may not be able to work the next day and she's been great.

    Susie - How are you doing?
    Hi, Susue!

    I've been thinking of you since you posted that you were scheduled for brachytherapy this week. Both Deb and I had such a horrible first treatment followed by two essentially pain free treatments. Now every time I hear of someone heading down that road I start to hold my breath and send a fervent prayer for no pain!

    How are you doing?

    I have completed chemo and brachytherapy. I had my very first CT scan last Friday and see the gyn/onc tomorrow for the results. I sure am hoping for NED! I have never had a CA-125, so I still don't know if it might have been a marker for me. I hope my blood work from last Friday will show that my low and high counts are back in the normal range! Peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, and memory problems persist.

    I'm glad to read that you only need the brachytherapy and not the chemo. Like Linda and several other fabulous fighters on this site, I am a faithful user of my dilator. Both my radiological oncologist and my regular gyn/onc recommended waiting 2 weeks after the final brachytherapy session before starting to use the dilator. I use mine daily. Since I was diagnosed with both Type I and Type II uterine cancers, I DO NOT use ANY hormonal lubricants.

    Good luck!

    Sally

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