Brachytherapy question

I don't remember it being a problem for me.

No issues for me either. I had a 1.5 hour drive and didn't have any problems. In fact, I drove myself to the center.

You will do great!

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Beverly30 said:

Hi,

Hi,

I'm new here and not sure how everything works. I'm trying to find out if I want to go through my next suggested radiation treatment. I has stage 1b endometrial an error. I'm currently recovering from a complete hysterectomy .  my next step is vaginal brachytherapy. I'm 62 aND I'm not sure I want to go down that road. I guess it's for preventative reasons. I'm not sure of how many treatments are going to be recommended yet. My Dr. Won't referred me over until I'm totally healed from surgery. Any info as to what I can expect would be appreciated. 

Welcome to the group- so sorry you have had to find us but so glad you did.  I am recent as well and don't probably have great info for you since I have decided not to do radiation.  I was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma, complete hysterectomy end of April, Stage 3a, grade 3, 6 round chemo carbo/taxol which finished Sept. 21. 

There is a bunch of interesting links regarding radiation from henhill under the thread Questions about caring for a patient with radiation enteritis.  I know I've seen other info. on here but it tends to run together.  If you put radiation in the search at the top it should bring up all types of info.  

The other ladies should be popping by soon- if you don't get the info you want- why don't you just post your own question- they are AWESOME about answering.

Stay strong- come back often for support and encouragement.  I try to live in THE DAY I am in- it's the only one any of us is guaranteed and I look for the joy and things to be thankful for- helps me not to be overcome with fear of the future   (((HUGS))) and prayers!

Nellasing said:

Hi Beverly30

Welcome to the group- so sorry you have had to find us but so glad you did.  I am recent as well and don't probably have great info for you since I have decided not to do radiation.  I was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma, complete hysterectomy end of April, Stage 3a, grade 3, 6 round chemo carbo/taxol which finished Sept. 21. 

There is a bunch of interesting links regarding radiation from henhill under the thread Questions about caring for a patient with radiation enteritis.  I know I've seen other info. on here but it tends to run together.  If you put radiation in the search at the top it should bring up all types of info.  

The other ladies should be popping by soon- if you don't get the info you want- why don't you just post your own question- they are AWESOME about answering.

Stay strong- come back often for support and encouragement.  I try to live in THE DAY I am in- it's the only one any of us is guaranteed and I look for the joy and things to be thankful for- helps me not to be overcome with fear of the future   (((HUGS))) and prayers!

 

I don't know if you followed a thread I started about the time you joined this board called "Still Terrified" (http://csn.cancer.org/node/305795) where I was wrestling with whether on not to agree to the external radiation therapy that my medical oncologist was advocating for me or not. The stuff you read about it on this forum and elsewhere had me scared witless about it. I really did not want it and questioned its value and need after systemic treatment. I got a lot of good advice to consider from other women along with more articles to read.

I had been having a hard time finding anything to support why radiation was such a go-to treatment for stage III & IV endometrial cancer until I got pointed to search 'multimodality therapy and endometrial cancer' that was part of the title in one of the articles that was shared with me by DrienneB. Sometimes you've got to word the search just right in google to find what your looking for, I guess. An especially helpful article that popped up was:

file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Cancer_Network_-_The_Value_of_Pelvic_Radiation_Therapy_After_Hysterectomy_for_Early_Endometrial_Cancer_-_2014-07-08.pdf 

It really reaffirmed what Moekay had written to me regarding recurrance risks based on grade, subtype, tumor size, and myometrial, cervical, and lymphovascular invasions. 

I know that you've made your decision about radiation already, but I thought you might also like to have this information for your files. 

What henhill has been dealing with after her RT is all of our worst fears, but like chemo, we don't all necessarily react to RT the same way, especially if we have access to radiation oncologists and facilities that can offer some of the newer, more focused and shaped methods of delivery. I've calmed down a lot about going through with this from where I was when I started that thread because I understand better now why this was the right choice for my circumstances and have some confidence that there is some effort being taken to minimize the risk for me. Each of us is unique and we each have to wrestle with our own treatment choices. It's hard to do, but very necessary in order to have some confidence in what we are agreeing to subject ourselves to. I know it's the only way I can carry on and focus on the happier things in my life as I go forward.

MAbound said:

Other Helpful Links

I don't know if you followed a thread I started about the time you joined this board called "Still Terrified" (http://csn.cancer.org/node/305795) where I was wrestling with whether on not to agree to the external radiation therapy that my medical oncologist was advocating for me or not. The stuff you read about it on this forum and elsewhere had me scared witless about it. I really did not want it and questioned its value and need after systemic treatment. I got a lot of good advice to consider from other women along with more articles to read.

I had been having a hard time finding anything to support why radiation was such a go-to treatment for stage III & IV endometrial cancer until I got pointed to search 'multimodality therapy and endometrial cancer' that was part of the title in one of the articles that was shared with me by DrienneB. Sometimes you've got to word the search just right in google to find what your looking for, I guess. An especially helpful article that popped up was:

file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Cancer_Network_-_The_Value_of_Pelvic_Radiation_Therapy_After_Hysterectomy_for_Early_Endometrial_Cancer_-_2014-07-08.pdf 

It really reaffirmed what Moekay had written to me regarding recurrance risks based on grade, subtype, tumor size, and myometrial, cervical, and lymphovascular invasions. 

I know that you've made your decision about radiation already, but I thought you might also like to have this information for your files. 

What henhill has been dealing with after her RT is all of our worst fears, but like chemo, we don't all necessarily react to RT the same way, especially if we have access to radiation oncologists and facilities that can offer some of the newer, more focused and shaped methods of delivery. I've calmed down a lot about going through with this from where I was when I started that thread because I understand better now why this was the right choice for my circumstances and have some confidence that there is some effort being taken to minimize the risk for me. Each of us is unique and we each have to wrestle with our own treatment choices. It's hard to do, but very necessary in order to have some confidence in what we are agreeing to subject ourselves to. I know it's the only way I can carry on and focus on the happier things in my life as I go forward.

Thank you for the link. I will try and find the article. I haven't made up my mind yet. I won't be referred over until after Jan 18, 2017. I believe part of the reason it was suggested is due you my age. I just want to have enough information on the process. 

Well, I had it all. 5 weeks of external and 3 brachytherap. For me stage 111c grade 3-4 I felt it was worth it. Yes, I do have some after effects. Constipation and I do have to use my cool cone. All and all it hadn't been that bad. I have many wonderful days and it has not kept me from enjoying my life. I'm 63 and soon to be 64. I know everyone is different. For me i need to do everything I can to live. I also have great faith in my medical oncologist.