What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer?

@terradean
Hang in there. For me the days went by quickly. It really is an overwhelming process and I didn't have chemo, so I can only imagine that you are exhausted and ready for this to be over I worked the entire time and drove about an hour each way so the trips were exhausting and then I would go to work each day. If the diarrhea persists my Dr also recommended a low fiber diet and as long as I followed that mine was more tolerable. I just started adding back in most fruits and veggies in the past couple of weeks. Take care and hopefully today will be a good day!

I do have an achiness in my lower back, hips and legs. Ive been blaming it on lack of excercise, I do stil have vaginal burning and pain so its difficult to get things done. Other then that I am also just over one month out of treatment ending, which was 5 weekks internal radiation. 5 chemo once a week and 5 internal radiation. Except for the vaginal irritation ( I do treat with creams and pain meds) I feel good. The fatique is gone, I am eating again. I do urinate more frequently, but bowels are regular and with a softener are easy. Scans are scheduled for the 17th. So we will see whats next.

Praying all works out for you.

How long did the radiation treatments last?

The appts I have from walking in door to leaving is half hr to 40 minutes when they are backed up. External, your bladder has to be pretty full before they will start or they will wait awhile till fuller. My last one friday seemed pretty short. was outdoor 10 minutes sooner than any.
I am to have 25 external, will have number 10 on Monday. Mondays are my day off so have those appts, early 8:35 am, feel off for about 4 hrs after them, since working others are at 3:20 checkin and I don't notice any effects because go home eat dindin and falling aslepp in recliner get up later and go to bed. Normally except tuesday when see Dr. out by 4 to 4:10pm, tuesday was around 5. Though this last friday was out 3:50pm, Will have 2 brachy after external, was told 1st appt will be around 2 hrs and second around 1 hr though treatment time is only around 8 minutes from what the lady said. Then will have 3 more chemo 3 weeks apart. Carbo/Taxol both times. Last Chemo appt. date will take 11 months from first time I had starting bleeding one afternoon leaving work when sat down in vehicle seat, a gush. Was told will be in remission when all treatments are complete. Makes me wonder how they know that.
I want a vacation from Dr.'s when this is over.

Well, Friday was 24th treatment and Monday, last 25th last external radiation, can't say I enjoyed any of the last 5 weeks. The girl stated when I was leaving, see how fast it went by, I giggled Ha. All I can say, I am so glad I don't have to leave work early 4 days a weeks, hurrah. Won't miss diarrhea days, did find the Imodium gel tablets worked the best. Skin will be glad no more irritation, getting very irritated Next, Brachy on Monday the 13th, and following friday last Brachy. Not looking forward to it at all. Am seeing the Chemo Dr. on Monday, my port woke me up 2 nights this last week aching. They flushed it so has felt better but no blood so am going to see him, so they can decide what to do since didn't work last time had chemo either. Oh, and was told by radiation Dr. see you in 3 months, I said week after week, month after month and only alittle while after last chemo treatment. Seems like never ending.
More after the brachy, have been given directions about dilatators. So, scare tissue doesn't build up and cause pain for future exams or if I ever want to have sex again.

Question, internal are you saying you had 5 brachy internal a week apart? Try a heating pad before getting up seems to make bones in hips and lower back feel better. Vaginal, so far have used Replens and works for up to 3 days for me for the external radiation. Time will tell about the brachy.
I am so tired of having to have a full bladder for the 25 external radiation, my bladder is so glad for the 2 days off a week, and will be very glad next week when not pour 50 oz of water down me after noon each day till 3:15 appt.

@naturegirl5 I’m new to this site & was reading your post on brachytherapy however I couldn’t find your post on your treatment experience, long term effects etc. I have endometrial cancer stage1a2, had total hysterectomy all labs were clean however oncologist recommended 4 brachytherapy sessions. The therapy is scaring me more than the surgery. My first BT treatment is
Dec 27,2024. I don’t know how it will go. Radiation oncologist stated I will receive dilator to use after treatment. I apologize if this is not the correct spot for this question.
I wish everyone the best!

@paz1956 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Adding to this discussion is absolutely the right place for your comments and questions.

Bravo that the hysterectomy is done and the diagnosed cancer was in early stages.

I had 2 treatments of brachytherapy with one day between the two treatments. I also had 25 sessions of pelvic radiation. While the brachytherapy was awkward (I had to lie on my back with my feet up in supports. Think gynecological exam with the your feet up in the air) the staff were very attentive to making me comfortable. The radiation oncologist was very careful with the device and used plenty of lubricant so the brachytherapy when administered was not uncomfortable for me. After both treatments I felt good and walked out of the treatment room on my own.

I was sent home with two dilators. The dilators were made of hard plastic and frankly not all that comfortable to use so I purchased softer and more comfortable dilators after looking at various options online. The radiation oncologist nurse spent considerable time with me before the brachytherapy to explain what I needed to do after treatment. This included using the dilators at a prescribed time (I’d have to check but I think about 7-10 days after brachytherapy) and use them several times weekly. I was sent home with all the directions I needed. I was also advised to use a moisturizer that would help minimize scarring. I use and continue to use Hyalo-Gyn that I order online but there are others that you can buy at Walmart or Target that are easier to obtain and less expensive.

Hyalo-Gyn:

— https://hyalogyn.com/products/hyalo-gyn-vaginal-hydrating-gel-30-day-supply

The radiation oncology nurse explained to me that use of the dilator and moisturizer are both important because scarring can occur from radiation treatment. If we do not keep the vagina « open » with the use of the dilator and moisturizer then follow-up exams will be more difficult because the doctor cannot see inside the vagina for exams. I am 3 years out from radiation therapy. I was my nurse practitioner yesterday who did a pelvic exam including a vaginal exam. She has no difficulty using a vaginal speculum to view inside me.

Is this the information you requested? Is there any other information I can help with?

@naturegirl5
Thank You so much for the information it was very helpful.
Do you have any long term side effects from the brachytherapy? I’ve read urine or bladder incontinence can occur. Will you share the brand of dilator you purchased?
Thank You so much! Your responds was very helpful & appreciated! Glad you are doing well keep up the good work. I never realized how hard a cancer diagnosis can be