| Radiation Therapy available in Wellington New Zealand |
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02/19/2015 22:56
Gary.M 
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02/19/2015 22:56
Gary.M
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Radiation Therapy available in Wellington New Zealand
I'm just in the process of having radiation therapy at Wellington Hospital. My GP was able to ascertain via a phone conversation with Dr Charles de Groot of Waikato Hospital that it was available here via the public health system. (hence no cost to the patient)
If you are based in Wellington ask to be referred to Dr David Hamilton at Wellington Hospital Oncology/Radiation Therapy Centre.
My referral progressed very quickly and I can report that both Dr Hamilton and the staff there are great.
I had previously had one surgery on my left hand, and two on my right. The most recent on my right was 18 months ago and was carried out by Dr Marcus Bisson at Bowen Hospital. As previously for this hand active disease began to return after about 12 months. I have just one small active nodule at the base of the little finger at present, and the hand is still flat as it was after surgery. My left hand has not seen a return of the disease despite surgery being now 10 years ago. Only my right hand is being treated.
The treatment protocol is 7 successive doses each of 3Gy to a total of 21Gy. The first two on Thursday and Friday (today) and then 5 more Monday to Friday following.
Pre treatment advice is to take care of the hand. No exposure to harsh detergents or soaps, or any cosmetic products. Keep the hand clean washing with warm water only. Moisturise with Healthe Fatty Cream (available from pharmacies). Don't load up the hand with activity that will pull on or stretch the skin.
The reaction generated will peak about 10 days after treatment is complete and the hand should be cared for as above for another 2 weeks after that.
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03/31/2015 04:11
Gary.M
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03/31/2015 04:11
Gary.M
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Re: Radiation Therapy available in Wellington New Zealand
Just over a month after treatment was completed and I can report that it was very straight forward. I had no skin reactions. The activity in the existing nodule and surrounding skin has subsided, presumably as a result of the treatment. I'll now wait and see what the future holds, but happy so far.
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03/31/2015 04:28
Gary.M
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03/31/2015 04:28
Gary.M
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Electron Beam Therapy in Wellington
For interest:
Wellington hospital has a number of Linear Accelerators. These work by using microwave energy to accelerate electrons to very high energy (velocity).
The electrons can be fired at a tungsten target, in which case photons (X-Rays) are produced.
Alternatively the electron beam can be shaped and can be used directly for treatment.
In the case of my Dupuytren's treatment Electron Beam therapy was used. This is a shallower treatment than photons as I understand, and they placed a 1cm thick silicone barrier on my palm which raises the depth at which the beam has maximum effect.
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03/31/2015 06:31
GaryBall 
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03/31/2015 06:31
GaryBall
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Re: Radiation Therapy available in Wellington New Zealand
Gary.M:
I'm just in the process of having radiation therapy at Wellington Hospital. My GP was able to ascertain via a phone conversation with Dr Charles de Groot of Waikato Hospital that it was available here via the public health system. (hence no cost to the patient)
If you are based in Wellington ask to be referred to Dr David Hamilton at Wellington Hospital Oncology/Radiation Therapy Centre.
My referral progressed very quickly and I can report that both Dr Hamilton and the staff there are great.
I had previously had one surgery on my left hand, and two on my right. The most recent on my right was 18 months ago and was carried out by Dr Marcus Bisson at Bowen Hospital. As previously for this hand active disease began to return after about 12 months. I have just one small active nodule at the base of the little finger at present, and the hand is still flat as it was after surgery. My left hand has not seen a return of the disease despite surgery being now 10 years ago. Only my right hand is being treated.
The treatment protocol is 7 successive doses each of 3Gy to a total of 21Gy. The first two on Thursday and Friday (today) and then 5 more Monday to Friday following.
Pre treatment advice is to take care of the hand. No exposure to harsh detergents or soaps, or any cosmetic products. Keep the hand clean washing with warm water only. Moisturise with Healthe Fatty Cream (available from pharmacies). Don't load up the hand with activity that will pull on or stretch the skin.
The reaction generated will peak about 10 days after treatment is complete and the hand should be cared for as above for another 2 weeks after that.
It's really pleasing to see that the treatment options are expanding around the world.......it is only 3 years ago since I travelled to Germany from NZ for RT....I am a little surprised though that the practitioners in NZ are following a 21 gy protocol....the German 30gy protocol is the established standard......
Wishing you the best and thanks for the info
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04/01/2015 05:52
Sherise
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04/01/2015 05:52
Sherise
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Re: Radiation Therapy available in Wellington New Zealand
GaryBall:
Gary.M:
I'm just in the process of having radiation therapy at Wellington Hospital. My GP was able to ascertain via a phone conversation with Dr Charles de Groot of Waikato Hospital that it was available here via the public health system. (hence no cost to the patient)
If you are based in Wellington ask to be referred to Dr David Hamilton at Wellington Hospital Oncology/Radiation Therapy Centre.
My referral progressed very quickly and I can report that both Dr Hamilton and the staff there are great.
I had previously had one surgery on my left hand, and two on my right. The most recent on my right was 18 months ago and was carried out by Dr Marcus Bisson at Bowen Hospital. As previously for this hand active disease began to return after about 12 months. I have just one small active nodule at the base of the little finger at present, and the hand is still flat as it was after surgery. My left hand has not seen a return of the disease despite surgery being now 10 years ago. Only my right hand is being treated.
The treatment protocol is 7 successive doses each of 3Gy to a total of 21Gy. The first two on Thursday and Friday (today) and then 5 more Monday to Friday following.
Pre treatment advice is to take care of the hand. No exposure to harsh detergents or soaps, or any cosmetic products. Keep the hand clean washing with warm water only. Moisturise with Healthe Fatty Cream (available from pharmacies). Don't load up the hand with activity that will pull on or stretch the skin.
The reaction generated will peak about 10 days after treatment is complete and the hand should be cared for as above for another 2 weeks after that.
It's really pleasing to see that the treatment options are expanding around the world.......it is only 3 years ago since I travelled to Germany from NZ for RT....I am a little surprised though that the practitioners in NZ are following a 21 gy protocol....the German 30gy protocol is the established standard......
Wishing you the best and thanks for the info
Hi Gary,
You have had a lot of treatments. It tricky to stay on top of this disease. You have done very well with each treatment. I wish you much success with RT. Keep us posted as I too have been thinking about tryin RT. I have read a lot of pots and cons.
Sending healing blessings your way.
Sherise
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07/25/2017 23:36
Gary.M
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07/25/2017 23:36
Gary.M
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Re: Radiation Therapy available in Wellington New Zealand
Update July 2017... the RT stopped the progression in my hand. The nodule that was developing stopped and hasn't progressed further. Without this I would have expected significant curvature by now. Worthwhile!
Sherise:
GaryBall:
Gary.M:
I'm just in the process of having radiation therapy at Wellington Hospital. My GP was able to ascertain via a phone conversation with Dr Charles de Groot of Waikato Hospital that it was available here via the public health system. (hence no cost to the patient)
If you are based in Wellington ask to be referred to Dr David Hamilton at Wellington Hospital Oncology/Radiation Therapy Centre.
My referral progressed very quickly and I can report that both Dr Hamilton and the staff there are great.
I had previously had one surgery on my left hand, and two on my right. The most recent on my right was 18 months ago and was carried out by Dr Marcus Bisson at Bowen Hospital. As previously for this hand active disease began to return after about 12 months. I have just one small active nodule at the base of the little finger at present, and the hand is still flat as it was after surgery. My left hand has not seen a return of the disease despite surgery being now 10 years ago. Only my right hand is being treated.
The treatment protocol is 7 successive doses each of 3Gy to a total of 21Gy. The first two on Thursday and Friday (today) and then 5 more Monday to Friday following.
Pre treatment advice is to take care of the hand. No exposure to harsh detergents or soaps, or any cosmetic products. Keep the hand clean washing with warm water only. Moisturise with Healthe Fatty Cream (available from pharmacies). Don't load up the hand with activity that will pull on or stretch the skin.
The reaction generated will peak about 10 days after treatment is complete and the hand should be cared for as above for another 2 weeks after that.
It's really pleasing to see that the treatment options are expanding around the world.......it is only 3 years ago since I travelled to Germany from NZ for RT....I am a little surprised though that the practitioners in NZ are following a 21 gy protocol....the German 30gy protocol is the established standard......
Wishing you the best and thanks for the info
Hi Gary,
You have had a lot of treatments. It tricky to stay on top of this disease. You have done very well with each treatment. I wish you much success with RT. Keep us posted as I too have been thinking about tryin RT. I have read a lot of pots and cons.
Sending healing blessings your way.
Sherise
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