Blessings to you Barb - i'm so happy to see you on the forum. It good that you are researching and putting so much thought into a very hard decision.

I have had 3 treatments already. the hardest part so far is holding my full bladder. part of the protocol is to drink a bottle of water 30 minutes before treatment so your bladder is full while they do the procedure. from the time i arrive till the time i leave the entire visit is around 40-45 minutes. the actual radiation takes 5 minutes and all that other time is spent getting me setup on the table, inserting the wand, and doing a quick CT scan of the area to make sure the want is in the right place, my bladder is properly filled, and i have an empty bowel.
once that is confirmed the treatment begins. it really doesn't bother me much in the moment. they will put on music for you (i like The Beatles) and i typically recite the Hail Mary and Our Father along with praying for everyone here on the forum and thanking God for take such good care of all of us.

the next day i have a headache but Goody Powder (you can buy it at Walmart) takes care of it (i don't need to take my migraine meds). i did have some pelvic cramps but only on the first treatment. I have nausea meds and i did take one yesterday along with a gas pill because i was bloated.

my doctor did offer to give me anti anxiety meds and i'm sure if you ask they would give you some too. they offer it to me because i have sexual trauma in my history and there is a man as part of the team. i decided to just have them keep him out of the room when i'm there instead of taking the pill.

i did worry about vaginal scarring but the doctor said the chances are low because it's just 5 treatments at a very low dose. i'm 61 yo and i have Grade 1 Stage 1B. the doctor said she will give me a vaginal dilator that i'm to use a couple times a week for 3 months.

all in all, i'm amazed how little the treatment is effecting me and i'm happy that the women on this forum helped me to be comfortable with the process.

the first time when they were fitting me for the wand it did hurt a little bit but i've never bled, had a discharge, or diarrhea.

i'm very grateful to the Lord for creating people who are so smart and inventive to come up with these types of treatments for us. it is a blessing in my life and i do believe the Lord is happy with my decision to accept the treatments.

i pray you are feeling healthy and strong and that the Lord is walking every step with you thru this process.

i know that reading some of the stories on here it's a scary decision. the lucky thing for both you and I is that we have low stage and grade so we don't need 25 brachy treatments. i am getting 5 (my last 2 will be on Tuesday and Wednesday). your treatment might only be 3 sessions at a low dose - which is an excellent place to be with very few side effects and most likely none of the side effect will be a life long condition. the upside of the treatment is an extremely low recurrence rate. you will have more time with your family and your faith family.

please always feel you can reach out to me and i will always be praying for you.

this christian song really helped me with my cancer. you can find it on youtube just enter the following into the search box.......... Another One (Chris Brown) Elevation Worship

may the Lord bless you Barb.

Your Sister in Christ
Kelly