Week 13 - Thursday 28th June
This week has seen the start of my final treatment, brachytherapy. I've mentioned this in a couple of previous blogs, but now I'll explain all about it.
Brachytherapy in the crudest terms for me is having some tubes inserted into my cervix (under spinal or general anesthetic). These tubes are directed to the cancerous cells, and then connected to a machine which sends radioactive material in these tubes through a ball bearing, to kill off the last of the cancer.
Firstly, my treatment sees me travel to Bristol, as the hospital I've been having my current treatments, doesn't have this facility. Treatment is over 4 days, on Tuesday and Friday this week and next. It's a long day, which starts with no food from midnight, and only drink water until 6am. Travel up to Bristol for around 8:30-9am to start preparation.
Tuesday was my first treatment, so the team run through things and ask if I have any questions. I go to theatre, to be given the spinal anesthetic before treatment begins to have the tubes inserted. I was allowed to take my phone in with me to listen to my music, which was nice (I kept one ear free to hear what was going on, and hear the anesthetist talking to me). However, the anesthetic didn't quite work. My legs went heavy, but when they started the work, I felt a bit of pain. They immediately stopped, and gave me something to help. A short while later, I fell asleep, before waking up at the end of the surgery. I must note that I have scoliosis (curvature of the spine), so the anesthetist had to check my spine before being happy to proceed. He's also taken plenty of notes so they're prepared when I go in on Friday.
Following that I have a CT and MRI scan. This is to help plan the appropriate treatment for me. Each person is different, so this planning stage is critical to the success of treatment. After this is a bit of a wait due to the treatment being planned. Myself and one other patient are waiting in the recover room with a nurse, who monitors us and makes sure we drink plenty. We can't eat until after the Brachy. My treatment was around 4pm, so you can see it's a long day. I'm awake for this, and although I didn't feel any pain, I could feel very small movements as the ball bearing is sent on its way. The tubes are then removed. If needed you can have gas and air, but I didn't have any pain while they removed them, so elected not to have any. I'm taken back to recovery, eat a sandwich, a couple of biscuits and a banana, and the mandatory cup of tea! I'm a little sore, but it'll all be worth it.
Today I also had my last radiotherapy session. 5 weeks of 5 days a week treatment, finally over. The end of treatment is almost in sight! However, the journey doesn't end there. Just because the treatment is over, doesn't mean the side effects immediately stop. I can continue to have these for some weeks, and there's the possibility of even later down the line side effects. I've got aftercare products, and a contact number in case I need it. My doctor has also been sent all the details from the radiotherapy team, so he knows what I need, and potential side effects.
I've also got an appointment booked for a month after my brachy treatment with my oncologist. I'll be monitored every 3 months for the first year. The aftercare is just as important as the care I've been receiving. Fingers crossed everyone's hard work will be rewarded.
Following that I have a CT and MRI scan. This is to help plan the appropriate treatment for me. Each person is different, so this planning stage is critical to the success of treatment. After this is a bit of a wait due to the treatment being planned. Myself and one other patient are waiting in the recover room with a nurse, who monitors us and makes sure we drink plenty. We can't eat until after the Brachy. My treatment was around 4pm, so you can see it's a long day. I'm awake for this, and although I didn't feel any pain, I could feel very small movements as the ball bearing is sent on its way. The tubes are then removed. If needed you can have gas and air, but I didn't have any pain while they removed them, so elected not to have any. I'm taken back to recovery, eat a sandwich, a couple of biscuits and a banana, and the mandatory cup of tea! I'm a little sore, but it'll all be worth it.
Today I also had my last radiotherapy session. 5 weeks of 5 days a week treatment, finally over. The end of treatment is almost in sight! However, the journey doesn't end there. Just because the treatment is over, doesn't mean the side effects immediately stop. I can continue to have these for some weeks, and there's the possibility of even later down the line side effects. I've got aftercare products, and a contact number in case I need it. My doctor has also been sent all the details from the radiotherapy team, so he knows what I need, and potential side effects.
I've also got an appointment booked for a month after my brachy treatment with my oncologist. I'll be monitored every 3 months for the first year. The aftercare is just as important as the care I've been receiving. Fingers crossed everyone's hard work will be rewarded.
As always, stay safe, stay well, and if you're not feeling right, get yourself checked out xxx
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