Any positive experiences with Mammosite?

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paigelise
paigelise Member Posts: 173
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
Any positive experiences with Mammosite?
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  • paigelise
    paigelise Member Posts: 173
    edited November 2009

    Hi everyone....I am currently being considered to get Mammosite radiation.  I found a thread here in which there were lots of negative side effects.... i.e. breast pain, cysts.  Has anyone had Mammosite with little or no side effects?  Thanks for any input.

    Wendy

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  • samedaynurseJan
    samedaynurseJan Member Posts: 192
    edited November 2009

    Hi Wendy

    I am exactly one year post Mammosite treatment and I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. My treatment went very smoothly.....I had only a few days of really significant exhaustion.....I still have a little collection of fluid (seroma) in my mammosite cavity but it causes me no pain nor any problems , I did massage and used Vit E cream and my scar looks fine, the site where the Mammosite catheters were removed isnt even visible. If I can answer more questions or help you in any way just send me a PM

    jan

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  • somersher
    somersher Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2010

    Jan - Was your exhaustion during the five days of treatment of afterwards?  Is your breast badly deformed or does it look OK?  Finally do you worry excessively about recurrence and wish you had done mastectomy or not?

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  • nanasewah
    nanasewah Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2010

    I did one without side effects but I went through hell. Why? Because the first cathetar they used was too 'small' and couldn't adjust to my therapy so after having it inside me for more than a week instead of the 5 days, I had to do another surgery to remove this one and a bigger one was inserted. It was a very painful experience for me. So I had it in me for a little over 3 weeks. The radiation therapy went well though and I finished everything on December 16th 2009.

    Apart from the pain, I had no infections or anything. I also had the skin around my breast peeling for which they gave me Aquaphor. They also gave me 2 special bras.

    Just make sure that they make the right decision about which size cathetar to use the first time around and you'll be fine. Of course each insertion cost $10,000.! Yeah thank God for insurance!

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  • Pattyfish
    Pattyfish Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2010

    I had mammosite radiation with wonderful results.  My last treatment was Dec. 23.  Although I still get somewhat tired, I am getting my old energy back.  My doc. has had much experience with this type of treatment, so he was right on with the size of the cathetar.  He used a Savi cathetar.  My boob is a little tender and a little lumpy, but it is no big deal.  I feel very fortunate that I was able to use this type of radiation therapy.

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  • nanasewah
    nanasewah Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2010

    Pattyfish,

    I am glad for you. You will get over the tenderness soon. I couldn't sleep on that side for a while but now that the pain has subsided, I feel comfortable now.Smile

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  • Pattyfish
    Pattyfish Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2010

    nanasewah, I am so sorry you had such difficulty.  the tenderness is much better now.  Have you had follow-up therapy--chemo or hormone?

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  • ankan
    ankan Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2010

    I'm scheduled for the mammosite balloon 1/27 (surgery was 1/15 - lumpectomy).  Did it hurt when they put the balloon in?  Was the tiredness just during the week of radiation?  Were you able to work during that time? 

    Hope I'm able to sleep again one of these days! 

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  • Pattyfish
    Pattyfish Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2010

    Ankan,

    Insertion of the balloon did not hurt ONE bit.  It was done in the onc's office, took about 15 minutes, and that was that.  The nurse numbed my breast, and that was it.  I hadn't even taken any pain meds before my appt. Radiation took five days, and since I retired, I did not work.  Each appt. with the rad. onc. took about an hour, so time was spent going to and from, getting the rad., then driving home.  Good luck today.  I'll be thinking about you.  Just think, in a week or so, you will be done with rad.

    Pat

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  • paigelise
    paigelise Member Posts: 173
    edited June 2010

    "Bumped" for Helenap because I don't know how to post a link

    I guess I asked it back in November...time sure flies by!

    Wendy

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