HDR Brachytherapy

[Outsiders]

I’m resting up in my UK hospital bed after going through HDR-brachytherapy (as a monotherapy) the past two days, to treat intermediate stage (G3+4) PC. I had radiation delivered in two fractions, about 18 hours apart. People can obviously read up all about this treatment option online at various sites, so I won’t go into the ins and outs of it. The difficult and painful parts of this process won’t apply to people who only have one fraction or the two are separated by a week or two.

Essentially, on day 1, the procedure itself was fine and easily tolerable - spinal anaesthetic and sedation meant it was relatively painless. The hard bit is afterwards - the patient needs to lie as still as possible as the template and thin catheters remain attached to the perineum until the second dose of radiation the following day.

I had a pretty awful night as pain relief and a sleeping tablet did very little. Had to have a little squirt of morphine to help me through and provide an hour or so of dozing on and off.

The next morning I had to first have a CT scan to check the position of the catheters. About 30 mins later I was wheeled in to have my second dose of HDR-BT. The absolute worse part was just before the radiation was delivered (which is painless), when around 7-8 catheters that had moved slightly, were adjusted back to their correct position. The only pain relief I’d had was a couple of Co-codamol taken a bit earlier, and it was real agony. Imagine if the prostrate biopsy was done without anaesthetic and each grab lasted a second or two rather then being an instant. Ouch!!!

I’m now in recovery, feeling a bit unsteady and queasy but so glad I’ve got it over and done with. Still have a urinary catheter and I should be allowed to go home tomorrow once that has been removed and I can pee ok. Then I just have to hope that the side effects of the treatment aren’t too bad.

If anyone’s considering HDR-BT and has any questions, please feel free to ask and I’ll do my best. A big thanks to everyone in this community who helped me reach my treatment decision.

Gurbs

[Tall_Allen]

Was your doctor Peter Hoskin?

[Outsiders in reply to Tall_Allen]

The procedure was at Mount Vernon but my consultant was Dr Ostler - one of the team with Hoskins. Much appreciate your input into reaching my decision.

[westof]

Hmm... This may not be exactly relevant to your post, however, it may help others.

I had my HDR Brachy at MSKCC on 04/26/2019. Was in and out the same day and the only SE that I had was a brief period of incontinence 2 days later.

My RO was Dan Shasha and I credit him (along with my primary, who found the nodule ) for saving my life. He did a great job, along with 25 days of IMRT , which was a breeze.

Dx was G9, however, miraculously S3.

Feel great and still working at 74 (It's what keeps me alive)!

Best wishes to all!

AJ

[Lightjunkie]

Thanks for the update. Your post has really got me investigating. Thanks to all who respond as well. I learn so much here and always get inspired.