BRACHYTHERAPY: The machine is not working

Annie- I had interstial brachytherapy a couple weeks ago and can share my experience with you with what happened for me and what I think you should be observing. I had a total of 25 catheters (the tubes you mentioned) inserted in my left breast and the following week, I went in twice a day for about 15 minutes for the actual rad treatment. The way it was explained to me for my treatment is that there are seeds that are moved through the long wires they attach into the tubes, and I felt a sort of "clicking" as the seed was moved along the tumor bed in the catheter. My center also treats up to 2 cm from the tumor bed and all I would feel is the movement of the seed going in and out to the peripheral areas, no clicking sound. Sometimes in some areas, I felt nothing. 

I was very forturnate in that I had the radiation PhD, who designs the treatment, actually show me a 3D model of the treatment plan and what is happening inside my body and with the planned treatment. He explained what was happening in the tumor bed area when I could feel the seeds moving along the tube. You will not be able to see anything gong through the tubes into your catheters, but you should be having some feelling as those seeds move in and out from the machine, through the wires, into your breast and back out again.

It sounds like the equipment may have had a problem. They should be checking that carefully before each treament to ensure it is working and every tube should have some sort of seed activity, some may be longer times than others. Ask them to verify with you how many treatments you received and whether you received all that were planned? They should be able to share that and if they don't, you may need to go somewhere else to complete your care. 

Also, what they gave you for the weekend process was to ensure no infection around the catheters. You need to watch carefully for that before, during and after. Do they have you checking your temp the whole time? I was asked to do so after the procedure, during the course of care and a week after until I could see my breast surgeon for follow up (I went out of state to do this). I am assuming they took your catheters out or are you just waiting to figure out what they are going to do?

Also, despite being told no fatigue side effects, I have had some the past couple weeks like every other day so you may experience that too. Everyone is different but you may notice you are tired after you are done with this.

I hope this is helpful to you!