a note of reassurance about brachytherapy

Hi sisters!

Before I went to have my three post-surgery radiation (brachytherapy) sessions, I was full of trepidation. I even had a margarita before going to the first session! I just want to say that once I got over the psychological aspects of receiving radiation "down there", it really was not bad at all. During the first session, a CT scan was taken to aid the doctor in specifically targeting the area that would receive radiation. Then I was fitted for a dilator. The doctor "hooked me up" to the machine, the lights were dimmed and the radiation began. I was shocked at how quickly the first (and subsequent) sessions went by. I don't think I had a session that lasted longer than ten minutes. I really didn't have many side effects except for some mild nausea and a little burning during urination. The doctor claimed that I should not have experienced any nausea, but I did. Guess I am just special. Ha! Ha! After the third (and last) session, I was given a dilator to take home with me. I was told to use it every day or every other day for ten minutes, starting two weeks after the last radiation session. I used it today for the first time. It was not bad at all (once again, once I overcame the psychological aspect of sticking this thing in there). Just be sure to use plenty of lubricant. I hope this helps anyone who is nervous about beginning brachytherapy. I was super nervous about it before I went, but afterwards I was relieve and happy that it was really no big deal! Of course, this was my personal experience, so it might not be exactly the same for everyone.

I'm glad that the Brachy treatments went so well for you! It's nice to know that it's not as scary as we might imagine! I hope I never have to have any but if I do, I won't be as nervous about it now. Thanks for sharing your experience!

You are very welcome! I have received so much support from this site, and I just wanted to try to repay a little of that support.