Post brachytherapy radiation and surgery effects

Clangti, sorry you're experiencing tenderness and swelling. I am 2 years post SAVI brachytherapy. Since the doctor's aren't identifying anything specific it may be just the process of healing. I know I had various symptoms (shooting pains, vibrating feeling, swelling) over the course of healing and healing is probably still happening for me even 2 years out as I still, occasionally, have a sharp stab or slight swelling. I know any of us who have had BC surgery and radiation of any kind will never have everything feel and look the same. I find I get better answers from the nurse practitioners in my BC Center. Do you have access to anyone else in your current center or a second opinion elsewhere?

I just posted this on lumpectomy lounge board but perhaps one of you ladies might help...

good morning ladies! since you've all had lumpectomies, did anyone receive brachytherapy over whole breast radiation? I'm a candidate for brachytherapy by every account except age (I'm 43 so considered young when it comes to BC 😁) The radiation onc I met with and my BS seem to be steering me towards brachytherapy. I attempted to do my own research yesterday and ended up confused and overwhelmed so thought I'd check here. Did anyone have the choice between both and can you share why you chose your type of radiation over the other? Ive asked on a few boards and so far haven't had much luck. I'd be be grateful for any hep/advice!

thank you so much ceanna! That is good to know. I am leaning towards this therapy and am fortunate to have one of the pioneers of this technique for my doctor. That and some good research and hearing that you are happy with your choice really helps. It's all so overwhelming sometimes knowing if you are making the right choice!

thank you! I've not tried the search on here yet so I will def do that. I go for my first visit with oncologist next week so hoping he can help too. I'm not sure if chemo will be recommended yet and the brachytherapy ideally is done within 6 weeks of surgery. I guess I'll be able to put the piece soon together then. Thank you so much

Kenyon, thank you!! I'm scheduled for my catheter placement on Feb 7th and radiation treatments will begin on the 9th. I'm anxious to get this done and over with and hope to provide the same comfort you just gave to me someday! Thank you, thank you!!

thanks for your input! There are definitely risks to every procedure. I guess all we can do is trust our professionals, do the most we can of our own research and hope like heck we get it right! It's unfortunately a crap shoot in a sense until there is a cure and not one size fits all. I happen to have breast implants so that and a few other reasons leads me to brachytherapy... it's the best fit for my situation after much consideration. Best wishes

Fightingirl. I had lumpectomy on 12/28, spacer for brachytherapy radiation was put in at that time. On the 3rd of January spacer was replaced with the actual balloon catheter at surgeons office. Started my 10 rads in 5 days on January 5th. 8:30am and 2:30pm. Final treatment was January 11th (weekend involved) and balloon was taken out right at the last treatment. My surgeon, radiologist and MO were all supportive of this treatment. Not everyone is eligible depending on Stage, pathology, placement of tumor. Was comfortable with the fact the radiation was going to the cavity and margin areas, avoiding some other organs. I was lucky to be only 6 miles from the Charles Wood Cancer Center here in the Adirondacks of NY so 2x per day was convenient. I am thirteen days from the therapy and so far no major issues. 3 incisions healing (catheter area took a few extra days to want to close up) Certainly still tender in my breast. Meeting with MO this week to see what is recommended from here. Original biopsy Ki-67 was at 38.8%, after surgery was 22%. Waiting on Oncotype results for firm results next few days. Hoping low. Feel free to message if you have any other questions I can help you with. Make sure they give you the supportive front zip bra...world of difference in holding those pesky, swinging, catheter tubes in place for that period. Best of luck.

Our DX is very similiar. My after surgery tumor measured 1.9cm, comes up as 1cm on the chart. I am hoping 'New Normal' is coming in the near future.

Mine will start a week from today - she's going to put in the cathether Monday morning, then I will drive over for the first of two treatments (unfortunately at another location, they don't do radiology at my primary office... sigh). She'll take it out on Friday. Surgeon told me on the phone that I have a small cavity and she already knows what size she wants to use (sure hope that means a SMALL one!)

The quote that cracked me up was that "they found that patients do better and are happier if they don't have to wear the devices over the weekend". I thought .... well duh.

I elected to go this route (they didn't argue at all) because I am young at 46 and I am an athlete - trying to keep treatment as localized as possible so that my other organs and especially my arm (lymph nodes...) don't suffer unintended consequences. Other than my age being under 50, they said I fit the profile perfectly and as far as I understand it the only reason they don't automatically offer it to younger patients is that it is a newer treatment so not quite as much longevity on the studies.

pyrrh, I used a cozy, yet firm breast binder to hold everything in place 24/7 for the 10 days I had SAVI in place. I wore it under a fleece jacket and could just undo the Velcro when it was time for CT and rads. I got two from my breast clinic and could wash one while wearing the other--they dry quickly. There are many vendors but here's a link to one on Amazon so you can see what they look like https://www.amazon.com/Breast-Binder-Release-Comfort-Lavender/dp/B0027UWDBK/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1485208601&sr=8-5&keywords=breast%2Bbinder&th=1

Alright - had my SAVI placed this morning.

She checked everything out with the ultrasound and measured for the device (I got a mini! yay!)

After cleaning the area and draping, she numbed with lidocaine, Made a little incision, then put the device in. The fluid from the cavity flowed out (gross, and warm). Then she covered it in gauze and bandages and I drove over to the radiation center. She kept telling me I might be uncomfortable or feel pressure, but I felt nothing at all.

At the radiation center they started with a CAT scan. Quick process. They fit my upper body into a cool form fitting pillow first. Then I went in and they took initial placement photos. Then (surprise!) they told me it would take 60-90 minutes to make the treatment plan. So my husband went out and got us Sonic for lunch. Everyone laughed.

They actually finished the plan pretty fast, couldn't have been more than 45 minutes. We then went back into a room, and the "physicist" hooked up two of the (6?) catheters to the machine. I guess per their "plan" they only need to use two.... Treatment was 4 minutes. The tubes that connected me to the radiation machine moved around a bit but I couldn't feel anything during treatment.

Afterwards, the nurse gave me a lovely medical tube top to hold the dressings on. They said they found that ladies were having bigger skin reactions from the tape being put on and pulled off 2X a day, than from the actual treatment. Over that went my sports bra, and off we went to pick up antibiotics.

I go back at 4 for the 2nd treatment. All of the staff kept telling me they were glad I qualified, in their opinions this is totally the way to go. Supposedly I will feel fantastic through about mid day on Wednesday, then I'll start to want to nap all day. Right now I am very comfortable.

Just finished #2. Easy Peasy.

The Physicist forgot to take the "key" out after, it's a metal rod and significantly heavier than the other catheter tubes; so when we got to the nurse and he pulled it out there I was like "ahhhh". The weight pulling down was a little bit touchy. So, remind the person administering the radiation treatments to remove that key before walking to the other room for dressings.

Fightingirl, the catheter has 6 (I think, I'll have to ask to remember) tubes sticking out of me, that right now are bundled up and tucked under my super sexy tube top. When they do treatment, they connect the pertinent ones of those up to the tubes that come out of the machine that controls it all. Then a long wire with a radiation seed goes down the tube into the cavity for treatment - I guess they are accurate within a millimeter of where they want the radiation to land. I asked what kinds of factors go into the treatment plan and so far I was told that things like proximity to skin and chest wall are significant.

Also, each one of the SAVI catheter tubes has a little "plug" that goes in it between treatments - it's a long, flexible wire with a cap on the end. Keeps "debris" out.

I guess the local anesthesia will start wearing off sometime between tonight and day 3, so I will prep my handy-dandy bottle of Tylenol.

Here we are, Day 2!

I slept very well, on my back (like I normally sleep) in my bed. Went in for the 9:00 appointment. CT Scan --- I had an air bubble. They had to try to mash it out. Took 3 times, and after the 3rd time they decided to do the full CT scan imaging just in case it didn't work so they could plan around it. However, it worked so I treated as normal.

I won't lie, the mashing of my flesh around the catheter did not feel great. It wasn't horrid, but it was pretty intense. However, within minutes I was again pain free.

Oh, and there are 7 total catheters. I know because they didn't have one hooked up. I guess my 4 minutes of treatment is almost entirely through one of hte catheters, because they came in to make sure the 2nd one was fully attached and then I had about 5 seconds left after that. LOL.

So, 3 down, 7 to go for me.

I'm being super detailed just for you, Fightingirl!

Done with treatment #4. No mashing today. I did learn earlier today that the radioactive seed, like all things radioactive, decays over time - so the older it is, the longer the treatment time. I'm lucky because my seed is almost brand new. That's why my treatment time is so short!

I'm just starting to follow you pyrrh - thanks for all the detail!! It really helps visualize and ease any anxiety trying to build up. Thank you!! I'm glad you are tolerating it so well so far. Any skin changes or you keep yourself bound up in your supersexy tubetop and don't have time to lube