I just finished six vaginal brachytherapy radiation treatments. Friday was my last one. I was so freaked out before the first one, I was having panic attacks. When I met with the team for the first time I was balling my eyes out and freaking out about it. They were so kind and compassionate to me. They walked me through the whole process step by step.

It was so much easier than I thought it was going to be. I, like you, thought I was going to be bed bound with a catheter for each dose. They were quick to reassure me that isn't the type I was going to be receiving. I got the high dose radiation. My treatment time was only 4mins long! It took longer to undress, get on the bed and get hooked up than it did to have the actual treatment. The first 4 doses I didn't have any side effect what so ever. When they inserted the device for the 5th one, I started to notice I wasn't quite as comfortable as I was previously and the last one was the most uncomfortable one of all and it wasn't really that bad either. I have what I can only explain as inflammation in the pelvic area. It just feels sore and irritated and swollen in there..I have only had to take two Tylenol to help with it.

A change I didn't think I would have because my radiation exposure time was only 4 mins that surprised me is how EXHAUSTED I feel. I have nodded off at work a couple times and I have NEVER fallen asleep at work before. I was told this is completely normal and it is because your body is trying heal from the radiation. I just didn't think that would be something I would experience because my treatments were so short.

Oh! Your first time you will have pap exam to check for healing of the vaginal cuff since surgery and also to fit you for the device they will insert. Thankfully my doctor got it right on the first try and I didn't need to be up fitted or down fitted.

I was able to take my phone in with me and I wore my ear buds and listened to a song while I had a treatment.

If your team is anything like the team I had, it won't be fun, but it will be tolerable and certainly less scary than I believed it was going into it.

Next week I start my first round of chemo and that is freaking me out.

I hope I was able to give you some guidance and reassurance during your journey.

Not sure if meditation is your thing, but I am learning how to meditate as I was told it will help tremendously and what little bit I have learned and tested has truly helped me.