The Brachytherapy Story I Almost Walked Away From (And Why I’m Glad I Didn’t)

I Almost Said No to a Treatment That Could Save My Life

I’m going to be really honest here.

There was a moment where I nearly walked away from brachytherapy. Not because my doctors told me not to do it. Not because it wasn’t recommended. But because I was terrified.

Not logical fear. Not evidence-based fear. Pure, gut-level, heart-racing, blood-pressure-through-the-roof fear.

And most of that fear came from reading other people’s experiences online.

If you are currently facing treatment decisions, or love someone who is, I want you to hear this from someone who has actually sat in the chair, laid on the table, and cried in the hospital car park.

This is the real story.

The Part No One Talks About: The Mental Build-Up

Before I even had my first brachy procedure, I had already convinced myself it was going to be horrific.

I joined a support group. Which can be amazing. But it can also be overwhelming when the loudest voices are the most traumatic experiences.

I was reading things like:
• Worst experience of my life
• I would never do it again
• I was in unbearable pain
• I was stuck in the hospital for days

When you are already vulnerable, that stuff sticks.

By the time I walked into the hospital for my first procedure, my blood pressure was sitting at around 194 over something, which is not anxiety. That is body-in-full-panic-mode.

And here is the wild part.

After my first brachy session?
My blood pressure dropped back to normal.

That told me everything I needed to know about how much fear I was carrying.

Advocating For Yourself Changes Everything

One of the biggest things I did that helped was writing down my non-negotiables.

Not demands. Not attitude. Just clear communication.

I told them:
I need maximum anti-nausea support
I need anxiety medication support
If placement is not straightforward, stop
Do not push through resistance

And you know what?
They listened.

Medical teams are not mind readers. If you do not tell them what you are scared of, they cannot help you manage it.

This applies to any medical journey, not just cancer.

The Reality of the Procedure (From a Patient Perspective)

I am not going to sugarcoat this.

Yes, it is invasive.
Yes, it is vulnerable.
Yes, you have to mentally prepare for that.

But here is what surprised me.

I felt nothing during the actual radiation treatment.

Nothing.

No burning. No pain. No sensation of radiation happening. Just music playing and me repeating in my head:

“I’m healed. I’m healed. I’m healed.”

The hardest parts for me were actually:
The anxiety before
The waiting
The vulnerability feeling

Not the treatment itself.

And that is very different to what I expected.

Why Online Stories Are Not The Full Picture

Here is the thing we do not talk about enough.

People who have neutral or positive experiences often do not post about them.

People who are traumatised or struggling often need support and space to share. Which is valid. Completely valid.

But it can skew perception if you are reading those stories right before your own treatment.

I nearly made a life-altering decision based on fear, not facts.

And that is why I am sharing this.

Prevention and Early Detection Matter More Than You Think

If you take nothing else from my journey, take this.

Get your checks.

Pap smears
Breast checks
Skin checks
Prostate checks
Dental checks

Prevention or early detection can change everything.

I cannot go back and change my stage. I cannot change the timing. But if my story makes someone book a check they were putting off, that is worth it.

You Are Allowed To Be Scared And Still Do The Thing

You do not have to be brave and calm and strong all the time.

I cried.
I panicked.
I almost backed out.

And I still showed up.

Both things can exist at the same time.

Final Thoughts From Me to You

If you are about to go through brachytherapy or any cancer treatment:

Ask questions.
Write down your fears.
Advocate for yourself.
Do not rely on one person’s story. Including mine.

But know this.

I am glad I did it.

🩵 Want To Hear The Full Story?

If this resonated with you, or you want the full raw version, including everything I wish I knew before treatment:

🎧 Listen to this episode of The StacyM Show
👉 Visit: www.stacymunzenberger.com

If you are navigating life changes, overwhelm, or just need support while life is living: You can also book a consult through the website.

And if you know someone going through cancer treatment, please share this with them. Sometimes hearing “you’re not alone” from someone who gets it is everything.