Starting final week of external rad and will be starting brachytherapy soon

Hi. Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I hope everyone is doing okay. If you remember I had stage 1B (formerly called 1C), grade 2 uterine cancer. Lymph nodes weren't sampled as the cancer was unexpected after hysterectomy. It was about 80% through uterus muscle but apparently had not escaped the uterus. My gyn oncologist and radiation oncologist said that if I did 25 external and 3 internal treatments, I would have a 90-95% chance of the cancer not returning.
They did a PET Scan right before I started my radiation treatments and it came back good, thank God.
So this coming week, starting 8/29/11 will be my final week of external treatments. I didn't have many side effects until just a few days ago, I've had an occasional diarhea, and I've been so so so tired this weekend, I just want to cry. But I know I only have 5 treatments remaining. I've also started to have a "kidney infection" feelings when urinating but I think the Dr said this would likely happen. They haven't called me from the university cancer center to schedule my internal treatments yet but I'm assuming they will next week since it's my final week of external. Do they usually start brachytherapy the week right after external, or do they give you a week off? Also they told me I would have 3 internal treatments, one per week for 3 weeks. I think they said that it would take several hours? Does that sound right or do they mean only the first one takes that long, with set up etc? Also is internal radiation/brachytherapy usually easier or worse than external?

I would appreciate any information. I'm very thankful for the wonderful sisters on this site.

Good to hear from you again Georgia! Sorry to hear you're a bit down.

I've had a tough week also, mainly because I hurt my back on Tuesday and have been in constant pain ever since. I thought it was just a pulled muscle but it's not getting any better (even with hydrocodone).

I had my simulation for the brachy - it took about an hour and was not nearly as unpleasant as I had been led to believe. The actual treatments should only take about 15 minutes each. Mine are spread over 2 weeks. I start on September 8th which is a week after the externals finish.

Hang in there - we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Pam

I didn't have brachy so I can't answer those questions. But I did have bladder issues during external. It started out with achiness and irritation in bladder area and slight burning with urination. They tested me for a bladder infection to be sure but it was just a side effect. My bladder issues started about day 10 and kept getting worse. Since you're so close to being done, I don't expect it'll get too bad.

Good luck!

Thank you everyone. I'm assuming the university will let me soon when my internal radiation will be. I thought they said each of the 3 treatments would last about 2-3 hours, but maybe hopefully they meant only the first one would last that long. Part of me wonders if all this radiation will even help. My PET scan was good, and I'm starting to allow myself to worry that all this radiation might do more harm than good.

My brachy was before my external beam. And my recollection is that the first treatment was longer and they had to catheterize me. But the following 2 were just a half an hour ..... I think

I had my 1st brachytherapy this morning. It took about 1.5 hours. The radiation time is only 8 minutes. I didn't feel any pain except burning inside. I could see a little blood spot when I went to bathroom. I will have my 2nd brachy next week.

Good luck for your treatment,

	Quote:
Originally Posted by arunner My brachy was before my external beam. And my recollection is that the first treatment was longer and they had to catheterize me. But the following 2 were just a half an hour ..... I think

arunner, did you have to have the catheter in for just that one time? or was it for days or weeks? Sorry, I don't know.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Georgia123 Thank you everyone. I'm assuming the university will let me soon when my internal radiation will be. I thought they said each of the 3 treatments would last about 2-3 hours, but maybe hopefully they meant only the first one would last that long. Part of me wonders if all this radiation will even help. My PET scan was good, and I'm starting to allow myself to worry that all this radiation might do more harm than good.

Hi Georgia, best wishes with your challenges.
Mind body is a big deal. So, when that rotten guy in your head starts telling you the radiation is not helping you, throw him over a cliff! And, try visualizing a great outcome.

Use whatever works for you. Maybe see the beams working. See friends, doctors, neighbors smiling, patting you on the back and all congratulating you since you are winning and healing.

Give it a try. Hang in there Georgia

	Quote:
Originally Posted by usascot Good to hear from you again Georgia! Sorry to hear you're a bit down. I've had a tough week also, mainly because I hurt my back on Tuesday and have been in constant pain ever since. I thought it was just a pulled muscle but it's not getting any better (even with hydrocodone). I had my simulation for the brachy - it took about an hour and was not nearly as unpleasant as I had been led to believe. The actual treatments should only take about 15 minutes each. Mine are spread over 2 weeks. I start on September 8th which is a week after the externals finish. Hang in there - we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Pam

Thanks Pam. I'm so glad we are both almost finished with the external. My first treatment will be September 9, then September 16, and September 23. I talked to the nurse today and she said to plan on 2-3 hours for each visit!!! I'll be do glad to get this over with and I'm sure you will too :-)

Hi. All that talk about radiation and now another opinion thinks it's ovarian and not endometrial.

the short news is that they are recommending SURGERY! I don't know what else and will hear more tomorrow.

I prefer to be in the "radiation camp" with you guys.

So glad your challenges are drawing to a close. - A sigh of relief, huh?
Best wishes to seeing the "Ringing of the Gong"