Member Since:
20 August 2008
Posts: 12

Hi, this forum is for women living with Uterine Cancer.  We hope you find the opportunity to share with each other of value...

Member Since:
29 October 2008
Posts: 3

I have recently been diagnosed with uterine cancer, had a full hysterectomy, and am now being offered HDR Brachytherapy (high dose radiation) to the top of the vagina.  Is there anyone out there who has undergone this treatment?  I would like to talk about how it was for you.

Member Since:
1 September 2008
Posts: 12

Hi Jen

I had cervical cancer, had a radical hysterectomy in June, then have just undergone 25 sessions of external radiation & 2 Brachy's just this last month at Waikato Hospital.

Brachytherapy:  Altho having your legs up in the air (!) it was completely painless. Abbey looked after me & she was super amazing & friendly, which made it so much easier.

As for side effects?? none as yet really, & thats including the externals, but i've been lucky & except for a little itchiness & mild tiredness I've come thru it all unscathed - touch wood!  they give you a dilator which isn't as bad as i thought it would be - its basically to help you stretch your vagina walls back to how they were as the brachy shrivells them a bit, which sounds scary, but as long as you follow the instructions you'll be fine.

They give you loads of reading matter & they're super nice which makes it easy to approach them to ask any questions.

Sorry if i'm a bit vague i haven't talked about it much... but if you have any questions please fire away.

I'm sorry you have to go thru all of this, stay strong & best of luck.

HUGS

L.

Member Since:
29 October 2008
Posts: 3

Thanks L for replying - it really gave me a lift to hear your story and know that all went well with you.  I am due to start Brachytherapy at Waikato hospital next week and was a bit worried about the dilator bit.  It sounded daunting in the booklet given to me to read, but you are now the second person I've spoken to who said it isn't all that bad.

How long were your Brachy sessions?  I'm told it will be about 1/2 hour.

Was your mild tiredness from your external radiation sessions or the Brachy?  I haven't needed external so you have been through more than I will have.

Thanks for reassuring me - I have really appreciated your frank description of what happened for you.

I hope and pray that you will continue to heal well.  And thanks for the 'hugs'!

Jen3

Member Since:
1 September 2008
Posts: 12

Hi Jen

allow for 30 mins for the session, but the actual process is only about ?5mins?, not long.  You go in, unclothe (bottom half), hop up on the bed with a sheet over you for dignity's sake! your legs go into stirrups & get strapped in!!! this seems a bit freaky at first but it keeps your legs warm!;-) the Dr will com ein (mine was herman van der vyver) he inserts the tube/rod thingy, then abbey attachs that to the machine, she turns on ome music for you then leaves the room for 3.5mins, you lie perfectly still counting the dots on the ceiling (!), then they come in unattach

Member Since:
1 September 2008
Posts: 12

oops sorry, dunno what happened there....

anyway they unattach you, you get up put your clothes on & off you go!  I only had 2 sessions, so i got the dilator & "talk" at the end of the second.  Please, if Abbey is the lady that looks after you, please say that Lynne & little Hannah (my daughter) say Hi!

The tiredness has just kinda happened - it'd probly be more form the external, but then maybe not - i drove over each day myself (3hr return trip) & i was fine during that, but i think now that i've slowed down a bit, its caught up with me!

Thank you for your wishes. Please come back on here & stay in touch.

All good things

xx

Member Since:
29 October 2008
Posts: 3

Hi Lynne,

Well I've been over for my first brachy and it was just as you said which made it so easy for me as I  knew exactly what to expect.  It was a great help knowing all the details beforehand!!  I didn't have Abbey, but told Claire to pass on your greetings to her.  Hermann is my doctor too.  They were all very nice which made you feel so much better.

I had a nearly 3 hour return trip too as I am in Tauranga and wonder if you are also over this way? do you have support where you are?

I feel I have got away very lightly with my brush with cancer - only diagnosed mid August, the whole thing whipped out 2 weeks later, then needing only 3 brachy sessions to follow up - compared with what some women go through.  I have found the Cancer Society very helpful in putting me in touch with others, as well as the free services they offer to folk touched by cancer.

Thoughts and prayers coming your way,

Jen

Member Since:
1 September 2008
Posts: 12

Hey!!

oh that so good to hear, nothings worse than prepping yourself for something thats not so extreme, well it is but it could be worse!

So glad everything seems to be relative smooth for you, i've regarded my encounter as easy going also (at times!! LOL).

I'm in Rotorua, by support do you mean family? if so yes, I'm very fortunate in that i have a wonderful family - including in-laws (!), and a great group of friends. If you mean medically, my GP & nurse are fantastic, & so are the Rotorua Hosp staff i've encountered, they've gone out of their way to help me, which is so humbling.  I hope you have good support too...?

i haven't had anything to do with the cancer society, but i have heard they're wonderful!

here's hoping your next two sessions are just as good

best wishes

Me. xx