Multiple Catheter brachytherapy- anyone?

angiepie
angiepie Member Posts: 29
edited February 2018 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I am going to Arizona in two weeks to have the pinch-view interstitial brachytherapy with the template done. Traveling from Texas so I can have the 5 day radiation done with the guru (Dr Kuske). Im choosing this radiation to avoid messing up my previous implants I had put in several years ago pre-breast cancer.

Has anyone else had this type of radiation done????

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2017

    Hi angiepie,

    We're sure you'll get some great response here from others who have had this type of radiation. In the meantime, you may want to check out this page from the main Breastcancer.org site: Multi-Catheter Internal Radiation: What to Expect.

    We hope this helps and wish you the best in your treatment!

    --The Mods

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited September 2017

    Angiepie, I've not had interstitial brachytherapy (I had SAVI), but I've run across a few people here who have. Do a keyword search by clicking on the blue "Search" icon at the top left of screen and enter " interstitial radiation" and you will find a few who posted about their treatment. Best to you.

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  • FridayYet
    FridayYet Member Posts: 45
    edited September 2017

    I had 20 catheters placed yesterday morning by Dr. Kuske, then the planning CT later in the day. Treatment starts tomorrow morning then again in the afternoon.

    No pain like KB870 said, just a weird tugging during the placement. I traveled to AZ from New Mexico.

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited September 2017

    FridayYet, wishing you all the best during treatment and your time away from home. Let us know how you're doing!

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  • FridayYet
    FridayYet Member Posts: 45
    edited September 2017

    Hi Ceanna,

    4 treatments down, weekend off, then 6 next week M-W. Looking forward to going home! The doctors, techs and nurses are so nice here, so things go really smooth. I show up, change my top into a gown, go into the treatment room and get hooked up for about 10 minutes, then go into an exam room where they clean around my catheters and then I get dressed and drive back to the hotel. I really don't feel anything except a little vibration and clicks as the radiation seed gets pushed through each catheter and stops for a second at each station.

    Brought my work with me and it keeps me busy, and distracted. I have a re certification exam for work I need to take this weekend, so the solitude here will be helpful.

    Hope everyone else is doing well!

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited September 2017

    FridayYet, glad treatment is going well and that you are getting a little quiet time to study on top of it!! Hang in there--Wednesday's coming!!! Have a great weekend. Ceanna

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  • angiepie
    angiepie Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2017

    I am now on Day 3 of treatment. I agree, Dr Kuske's office staff is AMAZING!!!!!! other than some soreness around some catheter sites, I've felt really good. A little tired but I've been a tourist this past week and have done a lot (hiking, gambling, shopping, eating, sitting by pool). I nap about 3 times a day but I feel this has been a GREAT option for me for radiation. Feel very fortunate to have found Dr Kuske (I live in Dallas) and fit all the criteria for multi catheter brachytherapy. My husband has AZ as his territory so hotel, airfare and some food is able to be expensed since he's working these 9 days out here.

    I'm very pleased so far!!

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited September 2017

    angiepie, I'm glad to hear all is going well for you. Enjoy those naps! Your body is telling you what it needs.

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  • FridayYet
    FridayYet Member Posts: 45
    edited September 2017

    Finally home. Last 2 days of treatment were horrible for me because I started having a skin reaction to the catheters. Bleeding, intense pain, etc. The treatments themselves were fine,quick and easy, but every time I moved it felt like the upper end of the catheters were burning my skin. (Leave it to me to have an unexpacted reaction!) But I stuck it out. Removal was very easy and such a relief. Think I'm going to have some nasty scars in several areas though.

    But it's done now, and I can move on. Tomorrow I see my breast surgeon for a post-radiation check up , then the next week meet my Medical Oncologist.

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  • angiepie
    angiepie Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2017

    Friday- but you made it through!!!! Sorry about your reaction! My only issue was soreness at a few catheter sites and the "crusties" around some sites from some bleeding. But I am SO glad I did it!!It was super easy and Dr. Kuske's staff is the BOMB! They made the week so enjoyable. I flew home to Texas late last night. I don't think I will be too scarred up. Just little holes right now and I bet they fade fast. I enjoyed the hotel time just relaxing and reading by the pool...no responsibilities like back home :)

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  • ceanna
    ceanna Member Posts: 5,270
    edited September 2017

    Friday and angiepie, glad your treatment is done and hope your recovery is quick. Keep us updated!!

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  • FridayYet
    FridayYet Member Posts: 45
    edited September 2017

    Saw the Breast Surgeon today, and she was really surprised by how bad my chest looks. Says she's never seen that reaction before, and wants me to start steroid cream and antibiotics. Skin still feels a bit like I was stung by multiple bees, and my underlying chest wall would feel better if I'd follow the lifting restrictions I'm supposed to be on. LOL (That part is my own fault!)

    Angiepie - glad your trip went well and you made it home safe! I'd highly recommend the center and would do it again, even after my skin reactions. It is a great place and you always feel the true caring of the staff come through.


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  • angiepie
    angiepie Member Posts: 29
    edited February 2018

    Anyone get breast lymphedema after multi catheter? I just assumed mine was swelling from surgery, catheters, chemo etc but am now 1.5 months post chemo and my breast is hard and swollen. I have gone to a lymphedema massage twice then have been going to lymphendema specialist at the cancer center and she has done some exercises, K-taped me up, put me in a sports/compression bra...and I am still swollen and hard, mostly hard on the underside of my breast and the main side where the catheters were. I live in Dallas so I can't just pop into Dr. Kuske's office in AZ. I've left a message for him this morning.

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  • FridayYet
    FridayYet Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2018

    I can't tell if I have lymphedema or it's just swelling from the inflammatory reaction vs infection vs ? that I still have going on 4 months after my treatment. All of my needle aspiration cultures have been negative, but I still get weird abscesses that barf gunk out of a catheter scar. My breast gets very hard at night if I sleep on my side.

    Please check back in and let me know what you find out. Hope you get some relief soon, Angiepie!


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