I am working with Dr. Brian Kavanagh in the Radiation Oncology Dept at the University of Colorado Hospital. THANK YOU so much for all the info on RT that I learned from this site and all the personal experience stories shared. I didn't even know about the RT option when I landed here about 2 months ago. As a violinist with nodules rapidly spreading in my left palm, I was feeling a bit panicked and highly motivated to learn about my options for treatment. My own doctor advised me to wait until I had some disability & then look into surgery. Poor advice for a patient who is an amateur musician.

I am Dr Kavanagh's first patient - he consulted with Dr. Weiss & Dr. Cuttino in VA before agreeing to treat me. I have read many posts by those with a strong preference for going right to Germany to the doctors with more experience but traveling to Germany is simply not an option for me. I have been amazed by the help I've received from both Dr. Weiss and Dr. Kavanagh. It was actually easier to get in contact with them than my own primary care doctor.

The staff at U of Colorado Hospital Radiation Oncology have been wonderful with their genuine caring attitudes and amazing patient care - the best I have ever experienced in my 52 years. So I'll be in for treatment 3 more days this week for a total of 5 days and then back in about 8 weeks for round 2. Will update and let you know how it all turns out.

Great news! Thanks for doing the groundwork. This helps others who live in your area. Keep us posted on the results. I continued to have improvement for 2-3 months after treatments were over.

Tundrawind,

Do you have any news you can share? I'm weighing my options of staying stateside or heading to Hamburg.
We spend a great deal of time in CO, so this mught be an option. I'm a little leary of being patient number 2.
Can you share anything about costs?

Thanks,
Beth

Hello! I am in Colorado for a few days but not for treatment. I am going to Germany on March 31 and treatment will begin on April 4 and end on April 9. I will return 6 or 8 weeks later for round two. I will let you know how it goes. I emailed pics of my hands to Dr. Seegenschmidt and traded e-mailsl back and forth with him for a day or two. He was quick to respond and answered all my questions. I am sure I will have more when I get there and meet him face to face. On costs...I live in Amarillo, Texas and can fly one way to Hamburg on Wednesdays for $295. The actual costs for treatment I think he said was 500 Euro per treatment site so I think I am looking at $700 per hand. I am not turning it in on insurance because I don't want to hassle with it and whatever we pay will be about the deductible price. And once it hits insurance it is a "pre-existing" condition.
I will let you know more as I go along. Love to hear from you about the long term on treatment in Colorado.
Cindy

DO any of you have all four extremities effected? That is my situation. So, it it is $700 per, I may need to stay in the US, and let insurance do what they will.
Also, any issue with walking around after the treatments? Wouldn't want to go to Hamburg and not enjoy the city!
Cindylee, why do you say it would be a pre-existing illness?
Beth