Internal Breast Radiation Insertion
I saw my BS yesterday and he said we got clear margins this time. I had a breast re-excision on 8 /11. On Monday 8/25 they are going to try to insert the device, if there is enough of a cavity left by Monday. Has anyone else had this issue that there may not be a big enough space.
Comments
-
I went through similar thing. Small breast, after lumpectomy, they were worried that they don't have enough real estate to work with. The protocols are very specific and they had to measure everything. At the end, they were able to place the device in. Good luck with the procedure. I had mammosite and it was painless.
-
Thanks fifthyear! It's always nice to hear that someone else has gone through the same thing.
-
I had the Savi method of internal radiation. They measured and said my breast size and location needed was too small for the Mammosite balloon. However, the Savi device is like a wire kitchen whisk which they are able to collapse certain portions of. It worked for me even though it was uncomfortable at times. Does your medical center work with the Savi method at all?
-
Yeah, they were able to insert the balloon. Manu14 I believe Brachytherapy and Savi are words they used. I meet with my Radiatiom Oncologist in the morning. Can't wait to get this started and finished.
Can anyone tell me if it hurts while having it done? Also, how do they take it out and does that hurt?
The worst part of putting it in was when they blew (or I think actually filled it) up.
-
dhustedde, brachytherapy is the overall term for internal radiation. There are several companies manufacturing different types of brachytherapy devices. Mammosite is the balloon one while SAVI (which I had) is what I call the collapsable wire whisk type. I forget the other company.
The actual radiation sessions are painless. The only discomfort may be the technician hooking up the leads each time if you're especially tender in the area or if they aren't gentle. It was strongly recommended to me to take a low dose pain pill and and an anti-anxiety med an hour before removal of the device. I did do that and it was helpful; but I probably could have made it through without. It was done very quickly and I was just so glad to have it out. Hope all goes well for you.
-
Thanks Manu14. It's always nice to hear from someone whose been through it. I start my twice a day sessions tomorrow. Unfortunately there is a three day holiday weekend in between. But, ill get through it!
-
dhustedde, this may be already taken care of, but ask the radiology department to supply you with 3 days worth of new dressings and antibiotic cream for the holiday weekend.
-
I'm sure you'll do great. I'm absolutely serious when I say during the procedure it actually tickled a few times...no pain. Sleeping was a bit awkward, but not painful. I was amazed that I didn't need any pain meds. Did need them the first day after they inserted the rads catheter, but that was expected. I was quite anxious about the removal but ended up being no big deal. Think I took Advil ahead of time, but don't think it was needed.
Unfortunately for me, I needed someone to help me with changing the dressing over the weekend. I'm sure it all depends on placement of catheter. Miner arched to my back and I couldn't wrap the pads...arms just bend back that far.
I have a tiny scar from the catheter, but really pleased with the whole process.
-
Manu14. I will ask about that. Sadiecat22, thanks. Mine actually lays across my chest so I should be able to change the dressing myself. Nice to know it may tickle. Everyone at the Cancer Care Center says I won't feel anything. I would probably have freaked if it tickled and I hadn't heard that was possible.
-
Hi....just read your post. You've got a very similar situation to mine. 1st lumpectomy on 7/31 didn't result with clear margins so on our 38th anniversary, 8/14 we did a re-excision. Fortunately we had clear margins! I then had my Savvi device implanted on 8/21. I began treatment on 8/25 and finished 8/29. No pain during treatment. ..it was very easy. When it came time for the removable I had worked myself up thinking about implanting the device. I shouldn't have though...
The removal was very easy!
-
I was told that I'm not a candidate for the Mammosite but I'll ask about the Savi as an alternative.
I'm interested in any side effects anyone experienced with it?
-
I had SAVI radiation Aug. 18 - Aug. 22. I experienced fatigue and some discomfort where the device was inserted. Unfortunately, the removal was painful, but I was told that happens quite rarely. Considering how quickly I completed radiation and how wonderful the entire team at IU Methodist was during my treatment, I would do it again in a heart beat if necessary. Best of luck to you Hopeful!
-
great info ladies...thanks for sharing! I wanted SAVI so I wdnt have to make the 130 mile drive so many times. Unfortunately my RO said my girl is too small and tumor cavity too close to skin to make it a viable option. However...she did say I could have accelerated therapy so only 15 trips...probably no need for boosts either. I shd get final path report on SNB done Wed. Frozen sections were clear so hopeful final will be as well. Once need for chemo is determined then I can get radiation scheduled. Although I guess I need to wait for healing of incisions and reduction of swelling before asking my body to cope with anything else!
good luck w your treatments
zha-an
-
Just had the Mammosite catheter placed yesterday and while it wasn't the most comfortable procedure it also wasn't the worst thing in the world. It is awkward but mine fits down inside my bra. Supposed to have CT scan in AM to check placement and then start treatments on Thurs. My BS nurse told me to take pain med before my last treatment as it "will be quite uncomfortable" when they pull it out. She compared it to having bandage tape removed but said it will be very quick. I'm hoping she's right. I appreciate the fact she's honest with me and doesn't sugarcoat things. I hope everyones treatments go by quickly and thanks for sharing your experiences. I've learned a lot from the ladies on this forum and it helps to make things a little less scary. Debbie
-
aMtn4me....I'll be scheduled for internal rads within the next 2-3 weeks. Hope yours goes well. Any tips appreciated. Did you take anything before having the catheter inserted? Were you able to drive yourself or did you take someone?
Sending positive thoughts your way...
-
Hi...I have my consult set up for Oct 22nd to explain the internal radiation I'll be receiving. How necessary is it to have someone come along to hear the consult or can I just go by myself? I prefer to go by myself but if necessary I can bring a friend...hubby is traveling that day or I'd bring him along,
-
Nash54 - If you're far enough past the initial shock and fear of the whole diagnosis, then I think you should be fine going by yourself for the consult. Although I certainly appreciated having my husband with me for the first meeting with the surgeon and to have the path reports explained, I'm used to gaining to appointments by myself and found the internal radiation explanation to be pretty straightforward and cut and dry.
As far as the initial insertion of the catheter, it was recommended to me to take an anti-anxiety med and a low dose pain pill about an hour ahead of time. If you do either of those, then of course you shouldn't drive. Looking back, I probably could have gotten by without taking the pills although there were a few minutes of intense discomfort. Even if you don't take pills, the area around the breast is pretty tender immediately afterwards which makes it somewhat uncomfortable to drive. I did drive myself to all my radiation appointments except for the last day when I was extra tired and would be having the device removed after the last treatment. Hope all goes well for you. It's a good feeling when it is all behind you.
-
Thanks Manu14....I think I'm past the initial shock and ready to get the show on the road. Thanks for your input...will take hubby to the insert and removal ones.
-
P.S. Manu14....looks like you're a little over a year out. How are you doing?
-
Nash, no I didn't take anything before catheter insertion but it was not that bad. The whole thing took less than 10 mins once he got started. I was able to drive myself and the BS nurse was there and talked me through every step of the procedure. It was done with local anesthetic and that wasn't really comfortable but it didn't last long so was able to tolerate it well. If you have someone to go with you that's great for moral support. I'm such a wimp about needles and trust me if I can do it anyone can! The catheter is sometimes awkward but you get used to it. I did buy some bras that close in front (cheap stretchy things from WalMart 2 for 10.00). My skin is extremely tape sensitive so after the initial dressing came off the bras were able to hold everything in place without tape YAY! My tumor was at 12:00 so that may be different for you depending on where yours is located. My last treatment will be on 10/14 and I was told to take something before my last session so the removal of the catheter is a little easier. I have had great team of people and they all take good care of me. Treatments aren't painful and so far skin changes are minimal. That will change according to nurse but will probably be later. Hope this helps and if you have any other questions just ask. Thinking good thoughts for all of us! Debbie
-
Newbie here, first time posting.
I just finished radiation and was given the choice to try AccuBoost Radiation Therapy. A 3-D BioZorb divice (shaped like a coiled ball) was inserted and sutured in the lumpectomy cavity. My radiation therapy was 5 straight days, twice each day and each session was 30 min long. I am starting my 2nd week post radiation and feeling very tired and muscle fatigue. I am wondering how long the effects last? I am sure it can be differnt from person to person but I am just wondering about how long to expect for this to last. My muscles feel like wet noodles. I hate this feeling!
-
Hi Cidneyl....I don't start my internal rads until 10/25 - 10/31. So I'm also interested in the after effects.
How was the whole experience other than the fatigue? I had heard that it is good to do light exercise (like walking) to combat the fatigue...even though you'd rather nap.
Hoping your energy returns soon. I'm so tired now I can't imagine even more fatigue. The stress has really been hard on me. I think once I'm done with treatment I can get back to some sense of normalcy...at least that's what I' telling myself.
-
Nash54 . . . sorry to be slow getting back to your question of how I'm doing a year post internal radiation.
By the 5th day of radiation I was tired and that stayed with me for another two weeks. It didn't keep me on the sofa all day; but I definitely didn't get as much done as I usually do. I also think just the stress of the whole diagnosis and treatment tires a person both physically and emotionally. Oddly enough, I also had episodes of feeling cold waves pass through my chest for a couple of weeks - not sure why.
I developed a seroma which is not that uncommon with lumpectomies especially after brachytherapy. It hasn't really changed in size and isn't huge or bothersome. It mostly just feels kind of hard in that area. None of my doctors seem concerned about it at all and say it may get gradually smaller. It definitely feels good being almost a year past active treatment; although taking tamoxifen is something that I just continue to cope with and have found what supplements, exercise, etc. help me the most.
Looks like you're having your radiation the same week and month I did. The oncology radiation staff all dressed in Halloween costumes one day is still memorable. Nothing like having Dracula hook up my leads for a radiation session.
-
Thanks for your response Manu14...I am just so ready to move on. I'll be taking an AI since I'm post menopausal and am already trying to educate myself on the possible side effects....bone loss and joint pain is what I'm mostly seeing. I've already been dealing with those side effects as a result of early menopause (age 43 at the time I went thru menopause....I'm 59 now). Hoping the SE's will be manageable. I've already started taking turmeric which I read was good for joint pain. I know I need to do weight bearing exercise for the bone loss...I mostly walk and do yoga but am not consistent.
Let me know if you've had any good results with your supplements.
-
Nash54 . . . I will be moving on to Arimidex once I am finished with two years of tamoxifen (so less than one year to go before the switch). I've been post menopausal for a number of years; but my medical oncologist likes to prescribe 2 years of tamoxifen and then 3 years of an AI because he believes that lessens the chance of significant side-effects from either of the medications. I'm grade 1 / stage 1 and don't know if his opinion would be different for someone with more advanced cancer. Also, it probably wouldn't be advised for someone who has pre-existing problems for one or the other type of drug.
I take a calcium citrate and a vitamin D3 supplement every morning; magnesium at night (relieved muscle cramps in legs and feet); a low dose aspirin every-other-day and then the tamoxifen. I add a fair amount of turmeric (with black pepper) to my food as well as cinnamon which is supposed to act as an anti-inflammatory too. Drinking lots of water seems to help me also. Like you, I'm a walker (about 45 min. of speed walking a day) but never could manage to have the right mind-set for yoga; so I admire you for that. Once you are done with radiation and start getting energy back, there will be plenty of time to try what works for you.
-
Hi Nash54,
Just checking in to let you know the removal of the mammosite catheter was not horrible and I did not take pain med before removal. My last rad tx was 10/14/14 pm. The area just feels kind of tender but no major skin peeling or blisters so far. I only had fatigue after the third tx but then had the week end to recover. I am hoping that only minimal darkening of skin will be the worst effects to my skin. I agree with you about the stress of all this really adds to the fatigue! I am wishing good thoughts for your upcoming therapy!
Cidneyl, I can't tell you about how long fatigue lasts as my last tx was only couple of days ago.I hope you're muscle fatigue gets better fast! Does it seem to be improving? Have you checked with your RO about continued fatigue and whether this is normal for your situation? I hope this doesn't mean I'm going to have more fatigue! I don't have follow up apt with my RO until 11/13/14.
Manu14, did you have low Vit D levels and if so did your MO tell you what dose to take? Mine just called and left msg for me to call and discuss dosage since my levels were low. I too developed seroma but was informed the same as you. Your posts are very informative and I thank you!
-
Thanks for the update aMtn4me. So happy for you that you are finished. Hope you have a restful weekend!
-
aMtn4me . . . My MO had my vitamin D level checked the first time I went to see him - which was after radiation (no chemo). It was low normal which made me want to investigate the whole issue a little more. While there is nothing definitive I can find, a number of sources suggest that breast cancer patients getting their Vitamin D3 level up to 50 anyways may be a helpful thing. I told him that I would like to take Vitamin D3 2000 IU daily to boost my level. That was fine with him. I find that many traditional physicians don't get too involved with tweaking levels of things if your lab work technically falls into normal value ranges. My take on it is why not try to have potentially optimal levels? I may have my Vitamin D3 level checked in another year; but I really wouldn't take a higher amount than the 2000 IU anyway. You can find quite a bit of variation among primary care doctors regarding dosage of Vitamin D3 but 2000 IU daily seems a comfortable range of actually improving your levels without potentially suffering SE from too much.
Glad your radiation is over with and you can move on.
-
Manu14, Thanks for the info! I too have been looking up the little information there is and am going to call the MO on Mon as she requested and see what her recommendation is. I'm currently waiting for my oncotype results and have been told that will help determine whether chemo would be of benefit. I'm praying for a low score. She has told me I will have to do AI for 5 yrs and had bone scan and bone density study done this past Thurs. Just to make sure I'm paying attention now my BP is out of whack and MO says to go to PCP to get that under control......Boy I'm really feeling healthy now! Could be much worse so I'm gonna stop whining.Nash54, I'm gonna be thinking about you and just know that you can do this! If you feel up to it keep us updated when you can. Hope your weekend is restful as well!
Cidneyl, hope you're doing better!
-
Hi. Just got back from my Savi implant. It was totally painless. I did take a valium before hand just to ease my jitters. Got the scan done and the thumbs up to start radiation tomorrow (1 day earlier than I thought). So I will be done Oct. 30TH. I did have hubby go with me and it was very nice to have him along. I'm a wimp and don't even want to look at the incision....so I'm getting him to take are of the changing of the bandage. Except for all the tubes sticking out it's not so bad. Right now I have an ace bandage that will stay in place till tomorrow.
Feeling relieved...
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team