I had the intercavitary brachy, so I can't help, but from what I understand they isolate you while they implant the seeds and then when they remove them you can go home. Did they say why they want to use that method?

Hi! How are you? :) From my understanding, it's 36 hours of internal radiation treatment in 15 minute sessions. I will be admitted into the hospital and once they give the "clear" then I can go home. The doc said they are doing this method because they are treating my cancer aggressively and that I'm young and my body can take it. LOL The funny thing is....I think I'm more nervous about the bowel prep they're going to have me do to prepare for the procedure. I guess cause it's taken so long for my digestive system to get back to some bit of normality....if you can call it that. :D I need to just chill out and know all will be ok. I need to listen to myself. Hahahahaha!

Hi How are you. I am so happy to hear you get to use that method of delivery for your internal radiation.
I had the regular Brachytherapy where they put me under and inserted the applicators through my cervix and then wrapped them and packed my insides plus my vagina completely with gauze. My MD and the physicist came in to my room after I was awake and put the radioactive seeds into my applicators that were sticking out of my vagina by about 6 inches to a foot. Then I had to lay there for 27 hours the first time and 29 the second time. I could not move, roll over, get out of bed..... nothing. No one could be in the room with me and it was severely painful for me and I even ended up with a bedsore on my hind end.
The Bowel prep for me was just an enema. It really wasn't that bad.
My heart goes out to you because I know what it is like and I pray that the radiation kills the cancer and allows you to have a happy healthy life...
Janet

I had three rounds of internal radiation for adenocarcinoma in April. It was once a week for three weeks. It wasn't bad--like a lot of things, the anticipation was the worst. If you have more specific questions I'd be happy to answer them.

Do you have a choice of having it on an outpatient basis?

Hi mfd,

I ended up getting High Dose Radiation Brachytherapy a few months ago in May. I also got 3 doses but had to be admitted to the hospital. I had to lay in a gurney for two days...motionless, with the device (dunno what else to call it) inside me. They actually stitched it to my inner thighs so it wouldn't fall out of place. The doctor said he chose to do this because he felt I could handle it. It was horrible....quite possibly the worst part of my entire journey, the pain and vomiting sucked, but I got through it. Compared to that, everything else has been peachy keen! :D Hahaha....oh man! I'm so glad you didn't have to go through this. :)