Went today to get " mold" or body cradle for SBRT

Ro10 · September 2014

I had to remove my bra and shirt and put on a gown. I had to lay on a table that looked like it was covered with a black garbage bag. They made sure I was in a straight line. They then had me sit up. They poured into the bag some sort of chemical that turned into a foam. I then laid down. I put my arms over my head. There were two rods to hold on to. They then put a brace over my stomach to control breathing. Then a belt over my waist. Then they put a rubber band around my feet. None of it was uncomfortable. The chemical was warm, so it felt good on My back. They then shaped the mold around my head and body.

they took scans throughout the procedure. I had to lie very still. I tried to relax. I think when I relax I breathe deeper. They kept saying breathe normally. I thought I was breathing normally. Due to the location of the lymph node so close to my trachea it moves with breathing. They want to make sure the radiation goes to the right place.

They then did markings on my chest and abdomen area to keep me in the same position when I return. They also did 3 small tattoos for positioning. It just involved a small needle stick with ink applied. I had a tatoo applied after my pelvic radiation also. So now I have four tattoos that no one but my husband will ever see. When I read the instructions they gave me......it is okay to shower, but try not to let the shower water hit the makings. Now how do you shower and not get water on your chest or abdomen????

They did take pictures with a Camera, too. I guess for a record of the markings.

The whole procedure took about 45 minutes. The body cradle really did get hard when I felt it afterwards. The technician said yes when you come back it will be hard and cold. I liked the warm better.

I go back in September 18 th for the first treatment. I did not see the doctor today, only the technicians who made the body cradle. So I did not get to ask any questions.

it will be interesting to hear what Helen has to say when she goes for her appointment. Good luck Helen.

SettledSue · September 2014

How many treatments will you

How many treatments will you be getting? I had 28 to my pelvis. Sue

Kaleena · September 2014

Oh my, Ro

Ro:

That seemed to be a long procedure for getting a mold but I am glad it wasn't uncomfortable for you. I know what you mean about breathing. For some reason when I am getting tests I seem to take these deep breaths. Too bad they can't warm the mold for your treatment. By the way, what does the treatment consist of? I am sorry if you told us prior and I didn't see it.

I will be thinking and praying for you and Helen.

Oh, and if you figure out how to shower without getting your chest and abdomen wet, let us know - lol

My best to you,

Kathy

Ro10 · September 2014

SettledSue said:
How many treatments will you
How many treatments will you be getting? I had 28 to my pelvis. Sue

Sue

This is called stereotactic body radiation treatment. It is like cyber knife. I think cyber knife is a brand name. There is no cutting, everything is external. It is intense radiation to a targeted area, mine is the lymph node. It is different from the pelvic radiation I had earlier. I will have 10 SBRT treatments. It would take 30 treatments of the other radiation to get the same amount of radiation to the lymph node. I too had 28 external radiation treatments to my pelvic area.

I know Helen talked about have gold seeds implanted in her tumor. Nobody mentioned that to me, so I don't think I will have that done. They do that to know where to target the radiation. I guess it makes the target more visible.

They said the treatment would last about 40 minutes, so I will see when I go Sept. 18 th. The hope is that by taking care of this enlarged lymph node, my CA-125 will go down and I can remain off chemo for a while longer. I am all for that.

Hope you are doing well.

HellieC · September 2014

Same treatment but different preparation

Sounds like we are having the same treatment, but with different preparation, Ro. I guess it is because we are having totally different areas treated.

I do not have any appointments scheduled for mold-making. But I am having the minor op. to insert the gold seeds via a CT guided procedure on 18th Sept - the same day that you start your first treatment. I believe that I will be given some mild sedation (thank goodness!) and then they will use local anaesthesia to numb everything before they insert the gold seeds. I think the plan is to introduce them via my back, but I am finding it hard at the moment to visualise how it will all happen and how they will use the CT to guide the seeds into the tumour within the sidewall of the pelvis. I think it is perhaps better sometimes not to know exactly what is going to happen!

You sound so calm and focussed about it all and I am trying to emulate your approach, as the closer it gets, the more anxious I become. I am not at all worried about the Cyberknife itself, as it will not be much different to external beam radiotherapy apart from each session lasting longer. But I am anxious about the gold seed insertion. I think plenty of visualisation and deep breathing beforehand will get me through (oh, and if they offer me a bit of valium, I'm sure that will help - LOL).

I'll continue to follow your progress with interest and keep you in my prayers, Ro. I guess we are early pathfinders for this new and promising treatment, so sharing our experiences can only be helpful to everyone here.

Good luck for the 18th.

Helen x

Kaleena · September 2014

HellieC said:
Same treatment but different preparation
Sounds like we are having the same treatment, but with different preparation, Ro. I guess it is because we are having totally different areas treated.

I do not have any appointments scheduled for mold-making. But I am having the minor op. to insert the gold seeds via a CT guided procedure on 18th Sept - the same day that you start your first treatment. I believe that I will be given some mild sedation (thank goodness!) and then they will use local anaesthesia to numb everything before they insert the gold seeds. I think the plan is to introduce them via my back, but I am finding it hard at the moment to visualise how it will all happen and how they will use the CT to guide the seeds into the tumour within the sidewall of the pelvis. I think it is perhaps better sometimes not to know exactly what is going to happen!

You sound so calm and focussed about it all and I am trying to emulate your approach, as the closer it gets, the more anxious I become. I am not at all worried about the Cyberknife itself, as it will not be much different to external beam radiotherapy apart from each session lasting longer. But I am anxious about the gold seed insertion. I think plenty of visualisation and deep breathing beforehand will get me through (oh, and if they offer me a bit of valium, I'm sure that will help - LOL).

I'll continue to follow your progress with interest and keep you in my prayers, Ro. I guess we are early pathfinders for this new and promising treatment, so sharing our experiences can only be helpful to everyone here.

Good luck for the 18th.

Helen x

Thinking of you, Helen

Helen:

I will be thinking of you also on the 18th. The CT guided procedure is probably like a CT guided biopsy. They use the CT to guide the needle into the tumor. I just had that done several months ago. I was up for the procedure and they gave me a sedative (to say the least I was happy). They numbed the area where the needle was going it. Mine went through my buttocks to the tumor. I hope that your procedure goes as smoothly.

My best to you.

Kathy

NoTimeForCancer · September 2014

Thank you, Ro. You will tell

Thank you, Ro. You will tell it straight to us. I just read your post in amazement.

NoTimeForCancer · September 2014

HellieC said:
Same treatment but different preparation
Sounds like we are having the same treatment, but with different preparation, Ro. I guess it is because we are having totally different areas treated.

I do not have any appointments scheduled for mold-making. But I am having the minor op. to insert the gold seeds via a CT guided procedure on 18th Sept - the same day that you start your first treatment. I believe that I will be given some mild sedation (thank goodness!) and then they will use local anaesthesia to numb everything before they insert the gold seeds. I think the plan is to introduce them via my back, but I am finding it hard at the moment to visualise how it will all happen and how they will use the CT to guide the seeds into the tumour within the sidewall of the pelvis. I think it is perhaps better sometimes not to know exactly what is going to happen!

You sound so calm and focussed about it all and I am trying to emulate your approach, as the closer it gets, the more anxious I become. I am not at all worried about the Cyberknife itself, as it will not be much different to external beam radiotherapy apart from each session lasting longer. But I am anxious about the gold seed insertion. I think plenty of visualisation and deep breathing beforehand will get me through (oh, and if they offer me a bit of valium, I'm sure that will help - LOL).

I'll continue to follow your progress with interest and keep you in my prayers, Ro. I guess we are early pathfinders for this new and promising treatment, so sharing our experiences can only be helpful to everyone here.

Good luck for the 18th.

Helen x

Helen, yours sounds so

Helen, yours sounds so different than Ro's! To answer your statement - YES it is so helpful to all of us.

HellieC · September 2014

Kaleena said:
Thinking of you, Helen
Helen:

I will be thinking of you also on the 18th. The CT guided procedure is probably like a CT guided biopsy. They use the CT to guide the needle into the tumor. I just had that done several months ago. I was up for the procedure and they gave me a sedative (to say the least I was happy). They numbed the area where the needle was going it. Mine went through my buttocks to the tumor. I hope that your procedure goes as smoothly.

My best to you.

Kathy

Thanks, Kathy

I had forgotten than you had a CT guided biopsy. I am sure the placement of the gold seeds will be very similar - after all, it's just leaving something behind instead of taking a bit out! Thanks for your reassurance about how it's done. I know that I'lll still worry, but at least I know someone who's been there!

Kindest wishes
Helen

Ro10 · September 2014

HellieC said:
Thanks, Kathy
I had forgotten than you had a CT guided biopsy. I am sure the placement of the gold seeds will be very similar - after all, it's just leaving something behind instead of taking a bit out! Thanks for your reassurance about how it's done. I know that I'lll still worry, but at least I know someone who's been there!

Kindest wishes
Helen

Helen

I too, had a CT guided biopsy done. After my fourth chemo I spiked a temp and my WBC dropped enough to be hospitalized. My fever was from an infected lymph node. The doctor thought they had probably nicked my colon during the robotic surgery because the lymph node showed e- coli. Of course the surgeon who did the surgery did not think that was the cause! He said it is not unusual for a lymph node to become infected after surgery....but it would not have e-coli in it.

They went through the abdomen for my CT guided biopsy. They did numb the area, so it was not uncomfortable. But like many others when a needle is involved I wonder how painful it will be;). I find it interesting that they are going through the back to insert the gold seeds. I wonder can they insert more than one seed at a time? Do you know if the seeds are removed after the treatments? I never read anything about the removal, or if they just leave them in.

I wish you the very best outcome.

SettledSue · September 2014

Ro10 said:
Sue
This is called stereotactic body radiation treatment. It is like cyber knife. I think cyber knife is a brand name. There is no cutting, everything is external. It is intense radiation to a targeted area, mine is the lymph node. It is different from the pelvic radiation I had earlier. I will have 10 SBRT treatments. It would take 30 treatments of the other radiation to get the same amount of radiation to the lymph node. I too had 28 external radiation treatments to my pelvic area.

I know Helen talked about have gold seeds implanted in her tumor. Nobody mentioned that to me, so I don't think I will have that done. They do that to know where to target the radiation. I guess it makes the target more visible.

They said the treatment would last about 40 minutes, so I will see when I go Sept. 18 th. The hope is that by taking care of this enlarged lymph node, my CA-125 will go down and I can remain off chemo for a while longer. I am all for that.

Hope you are doing well.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Treatment

Ro, thanks for explaining this type of treatment. I had never heard of it, or of having gold seeds implanted and I have wondered what cyber knife treatment consists of. It is encouraging that these other treatments exist. Good luck to both of you who are having this treatment.

Sue

Went today to get " mold" or body cradle for SBRT

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