Internal Breast Radiation Insertion

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  • Manu14
    Manu14 Member Posts: 153
    edited October 2014

    Glad to hear your Savi implant went smoothly Nash54. It always feels good to get past one more hurdle.

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  • Nash54
    Nash54 Member Posts: 837
    edited October 2014

    2 down, 3 to go ...

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  • Manu14
    Manu14 Member Posts: 153
    edited October 2014

    Hang in there Nash54. I've been thinking a lot about my internal radiation this week; because it was exactly this week one year ago that I went through it. At the time, it seemed like one of the longest weeks I've ever had.  As you know, it isn't painful so much as uncomfortable and very tiring to be doing it twice a day. Plan something enjoyable for the evening of the last day or the day after. I remember my husband wanted to take me out for a special dinner; but truth be told, I really just wanted a cozy evening at home with some favorite foods and a good movie.  Take care.

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  • Nash54
    Nash54 Member Posts: 837
    edited October 2014

    Thanks Manu14....cozy evening at home sounds divine.  It really hasn't been painful but today it's been really uncomfortable.  My breast feels swollen and the device feels so close to the surface.  Thursday can't get here soon enough.  I don't know how these other ladies do the long term rads.  

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  • Nash54
    Nash54 Member Posts: 837
    edited October 2014

    Done!   I was very anxious today.  Took 2 extra strength Tylenol and a Valium for last treatment and device removal.  All went very smoothly.  Home resting with the fireplace going.  Hubby going to pick up Chinese or Thai for dinner.  Feeling blessed. 

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  • Manu14
    Manu14 Member Posts: 153
    edited October 2014

    I'm happy for you Nash54. You made it through an intense week and can now move forward. Enjoy your weekend.

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  • SharonDe
    SharonDe Member Posts: 222
    edited November 2014

    Congrats, Nash.  Glad you made it through with no big issues.  Your experience sounds pretty much like mine earlier this year.  As he was preparing to remove the implant, my doctor assured me he had just reviewed the You Tube video on how to do it ... It was much easier than I expected.

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  • Elsiemae618
    Elsiemae618 Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2014

    I have been reading all the posts about the insertion of the device. I had mine inserted and after my first treatment the balloon burst.. My surgeon said that it was the 2nd time in his 8 years that this had happened so it set back my radiation now have to go through the scan again to make sure everything is where it should be. It hurt worse to insert the second one but not awful. I just want to be done with it all.

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  • Nash54
    Nash54 Member Posts: 837
    edited November 2014

    Elsie...so sorry you had to go thru that twice. I had the Savi device which is like a little wire whisk instead of the ballon. I had the device in for 8 days and couldn't wait to get it out. I was thankful for the shorter duration of rads but was so glad when it was finally finished. Hang in there!

    I had to get scanned before every treatment...twice a day.

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  • Elsiemae618
    Elsiemae618 Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2014

    I had to get scanned before each treatment. I was told the removal would sting a little. Oh my,I felt like the inside of my breast was being ripped out. I am not a wimpy person. The pain was awful. This was last Friday today is Monday and I can hardly touch my breast. I'm not sure I could reccomend the mammosite catheter with all the problems I had.

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  • Nash54
    Nash54 Member Posts: 837
    edited November 2014

    Yikes Elsiemae618 you really had a rough time with the internal rads. My removal was painless...I've had a few twinges since it's been removed but nothing too bad. Sorry you had problems and hope you start to feel better soon.

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  • Elsiemae618
    Elsiemae618 Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2014

    Thank You Nash 54. I will be glad when it feels better I have things to do. That's great that yours went so well.

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  • MaggieCat
    MaggieCat Member Posts: 346
    edited November 2014

    Hello... I am undergoing evaluation this week at MD Anderson. Last step is a Radiation consult to determine if Internal Breast radiation is an option for me.

    Would appreciate anything you can share ... how did you qualify for this approach? would you choose this again if you were just starting out?

    I had lumpectomy, clear margins, 1.2 cm tumor, 0/6 nodes.... Maggie

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  • Nash54
    Nash54 Member Posts: 837
    edited November 2014

    Hi MaggieCat...I had the Savi device at the suggestion of my BS. It was a bit uncomfortable at times. I had the device in for 8 days. Treatment was 2xday for 5 days. I was scanned each time to ensure the device was in place, then received radiation that lasted about 5 minutes each time. My tumor was 1.2cm but I only had 1 node removed. I think there are several factors involved in recommending internal...turmor size, breast size, etc. I'm fairly small (B cup) and did well with the device. I asked my surgeon how many of these devices he had put in and he said over 1,000...so I was comfortable with his experience level. The insert and removal were not a big deal. Mostly anxiety, for which I took a valium each time. I am glad I went this route and got finished quickly.

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  • MaggieCat
    MaggieCat Member Posts: 346
    edited November 2014

    Thanks Nash! Good to hear about the real thing!Eval for internal radiation will happen the next time I am in Houston. Hope it will work for me.

    I wondered why I had 5 nodes taken. When the team senior nurse at MD Anderson was examining me yesterday she mentioned the empty space under my arm. From there we talked about the 5 nodes. Her comment was my tumor lymph connection must have been to 5 nodes so the BS took the 5. Would have been really happy if it had been one!!!

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  • Manu14
    Manu14 Member Posts: 153
    edited November 2014

    MaggieCat . . . my experience was much like Nash's so I won't go into great detail. Yes, I think I would choose it again even though it seemed like a very long and somewhat intense 8 days. Getting a comfortable position to sleep in was a challenge some nights and having the dressings changed everyday caused some minor pain. But, I was all done with it in a pretty short amount of time plus feel I was exposed to radiation to a smaller more directed area. Good luck with your appointments.

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