Question regarding internal radiation

Hi Anne,

I read Mildreds response, which makes me want to stay with the 5 treatments, and would like to ask you,if you don't mind? How well did you tolerate your 5 treatments, short and long term? I am expecting to need the dialator for the rest of my life, but was hoping it wouldn't be too bad beyond that. Thanks

Sheri,

I didn't really have trouble with the treatments. I took the probiotics and they told me the most likely side effects would be fatigue and diarrhea. The only time I had diarrhea was a week or so after the last treatment when I began to taper off the probiotics and then we had a death in the family and I forgot it for a couple of days. I resumed taking it and have had no more diarrhea. I did taper it off again later with no ill effects. The recommendation I found for how much to take with radiation was about four times the regular daily dose. I just take the regular daily dose now, figuring it's probably good for me. I had treatments twice a week, Wednesday, Friday, Tuesday, Friday, and Tuesday. I arrived at 8 am and was out by about 8:30.

I noticed that I was thirstier than usual, and I would get really sleepy in the middle of the afternoon. (Since I never get enough sleep, I'm not sure I can attribute that to the radiation.)

The radiation oncologist said since I was married and as long as I was "active," I probably wouldn't need a dilator. He said I might be sore for a couple of weeks following the treatments. My radiation treatments finished up at about 12 weeks post-op, which is when my surgeon said we could resume sex. I had no soreness and have not had any difficulty with sex.

Since my surgery was in January and my radiation in April, I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer about long term effects. Karen (mildred51) might be better able to answer that one, as to when her side effects started, whether they were pretty much in concurrent time with the treatment and have continued, or if they developed later.

Good luck to you with your decision. It's a hard thing to deal with, trying to figure out the best way to beat your cancer.

Hi Sherri,
I did not have any immediate side effects from the internal radiation. I finished April 1, 2012. I also did quite a bit of chemo which I finished up about 8 weeks ago. So, I too am not qualified to give advice on long term side effects specific to myself. Like the other ladies have said, I would be so unhappy if I had a recurrence and had not done all suggested treatment, although I would choose the 5 treatments over 2 or 3 if it reduced the chance of vaginal changes. I need to stay sexual active or use a dilator. Since I had a radical hysterectomy the top 1/3 or so of my vagina was removed as well, which certainly compounds some of the shortening issues associated with radiation. Though sex really isn't quite the same as it was, it's not bad either. I keep reminding myself that things could always be worse. I remain thankful for what I have, but of course, still mourn for the parts I've lost. I'm sure we all at some level struggle to keep that in check. Love you ladies. Stay strong!

Hello CCfigher and Anne 21

Well I wrote you a long emotional thank you and accidentally lost it before it got sent so consider yourself lucky...lol. Thank you so much for the advice and information. Even though I know everyone is different I value advise from women who have already been through it. Yes, it can always be worse. I feel like I've come such a long way from a 53 yr old who has never had surgery or been put under, to a person who has made it through major surgery for cancer and just has to get through 5 treatments and then god willing, be able to put most of it behind me. I dont go for my first appt for CT scan and measurements until August 7th(6 wks post op) so don't be surprised if you hear from me again. Thank you so much for the help and support it means a great deal to me. Hope I can help someone else down the road.If I might ask,was there a certain brand of probiotics you used. I drink Danactive every day because it helps me, but I know thats not strong enough. Sheri

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Anne21 For the record, I had endometrial cancer, Grade 1, Stage 1a. Sorry I left that out of my original post.

Hello Anne21. i too had hysto for endo cancer, grade 1, stage 1A, and i was not offered brachytherapy. for now, just the follow-up appts every 3 months. i was wondering if you'd be able to relate to me why your medical team offered this treatment to you with your low grade/stage. i ask because the varying "standard of care" amongst patients is the biggest issue for me post-op. it's not that i wanted or asked for radiation, & i'm glad to not have it - yet there's always those nagging doubts (cancerhead). any info you can provide as to why your doctors opted for this would help educate me. hope you don't mind my asking. thank you!

lilyorange, I don't mind the question at all. I wonder sometimes, with the different options different women are given for treatment, how the doctors decide what to recommend. In my case, I had a positive pelvic wash and my tumor was 6 cm, which is rather large. I was given the option to have the brachytherapy or not, but my surgeon said if it were her option, she would do it. She, the radiation oncologist, and the head of the cancer center (who has treated other members of my family) discussed it and felt it would be advisable for me, so I did it.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Anne21 lilyorange, I don't mind the question at all. I wonder sometimes, with the different options different women are given for treatment, how the doctors decide what to recommend. In my case, I had a positive pelvic wash and my tumor was 6 cm, which is rather large. I was given the option to have the brachytherapy or not, but my surgeon said if it were her option, she would do it. She, the radiation oncologist, and the head of the cancer center (who has treated other members of my family) discussed it and felt it would be advisable for me, so I did it.

thanx a bunch Anne21!

i too wonder what specifics docs are lookin at to recommend different treatments to women with the same diagnosis. i should add that i had a negative pelvic wash - but my tumor also was listed as 6cm "at its greatest extent". i will bring this up at my next appt for sure!

Hi All! My cancer was Grade3 Stage 1a with a positive abdominal wash (supposedly due to the D&C I had about 2 weeks prior to surgery. My case was brought up on the hospital tumor board and their recommendation was 3 doses of internal radiation, once per week. I was told that it would be a low radiation dose. My husband and I talked about it and we decided to go with what they recommended, so my radiation starts then end of August and boy, will I be glad when that is done!!

Anyway, {{{{{{{Hugs to All}}}}}}} and Excellent Recoveries!!!!!

Merry888, good luck with your treatment! It is nice to have it over with!

I had three doses of internal radiation in Feb 2011 with no discomfort and no side effects in the eighteen months since. I had endometrical cancer stage 2 (slight cervical involvement) Grade 2. My three-months follow up exams have been great. I have had no bowel or bladder issues at all. The treatments themselves were not at all painful and after the first one (with CT measurement) lasted only 15 minutes! Definitely glad I had them.