Patient Instruction — Breast Brachytherapy

Pre Op

Procedure Date ________________ Time ________________

Arrival time

• If your procedure is in the morning, please eat a light breakfast.
• If your procedure is in the afternoon, please eat a light lunch.
• Do Not take Aspirin or Herbal products 2 weeks prior to and during the placement of the catheters.
• Wear a shirt that buttons down the front everyday while the catheters are in place.

*You will need to get a size bigger.

Medications

1. Valium (diazepam) Strength: 5mg tablet or 10mg tablet
   • Dose _________________ Time _________________
   • Purpose: This is a sedative or anti-anxiety medication. This will help to relax you prior to your procedure.
   • Side Effects: This medication can cause drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, and disorientation. We recommend that you do NOT drive when taking this medication.
2. Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) Strength: 5mg oxycodone, 325mg acetaminophen per tablet
   • Dose _________________ Time _________________
   • Purpose: This is a pain medication.
   • Side Effects: This medication can cause constipation, drowsiness, and fatigue.

Instructions for Brachytherapy

• Report to the radiation therapy department at____________________________________
• You will be escorted to the Radiology department for a CT Scan.
• There is a possibility that you may be asked to come in on Saturday for a dressing
change. You will be notified on Friday after your dressing change if that is necessary.
• Your treatment times for next week are: _______________________________________
• These treatments times are subject to change. The physics staff will notify you if there is a change.

 

Implant Care Information

1. Do not shower the area until puncture sites are closed and dry. You make take a shallow bath, but please do not get the breast wet. This usually takes 1 week.
2. Skin care: 2 times a day until puncture sites are closed and dry.
   • Clean the puncture sites with a mixture of 1/4 peroxide (fill to the 20ml mark on container) and 3/4 sterile water (fill to the lOOml mark on container). Pour generously over gauze and wipe over puncture sites.
   • Pat dry and apply antibiotic ointment to puncture sites with sterile Q-tips.
   • Cover with sterile ABD dressing and put support bra on.
3. After puncture sites are closed, you may shower with a fragrance free soap.
4. After puncture sites are closed, use a moisturizing cream until the redness goes away. (Lanolin) This usually takes 2-3 weeks. After the redness goes away, you can continue to use moisturizing cream.
5. Take your temperature twice a day for 3 weeks.
   
   • Report any of the following:
   • Temperature 100.5ºF and above
     
   • Excessive redness, tenderness, or pain at the treatment site.
     
   • Any non-clear drainage from the entry or exit sites.
6. Activity
   • Avoid heavy lifting and use of free weights for 6 weeks.
   • Avoid chlorinated pools until the redness has subsided.
   • Important thing to remember: listen to your body. Don’t overdo it.
     
7. Medications: You may resume taking aspirin and herbal medications 48 hours after catheter removal.
   
8. Skin color: The pockmarks will look red for at least 4 weeks. They will continue to fade over time.
   
9. Follow-up: An appointment card to see the physician in 1 week to observe the skin healing will be given to you after your last treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call.
   Nurse:_____________________________
   Work:_____________________________
   Pager:_____________________________
   Home:_____________________________
   Cell: _____________________________
   You also may call 405-272-7311 and have the Physician
   on call paged.

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