| Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday |
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08/11/2014 09:35
EasyRhino 
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08/11/2014 09:35
EasyRhino
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Re: Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday
spanishbuddha:
A calculation or estimate of risks associated with RT has been done and provided by the IDS here: http://www.dupuytren-online.de/downloads...20Dupuytren.htm
While I would probably argue a few very minor assumptions in that analysis, mostly I would state that the analysis is not helpful unless one has some working-level knowledge and background in health physics or similar. In other words, it is hard to agree with the result if you don't understand the factors used to lead to that result. This is where the average person does not get much help from these sorts of assumptions.
It seems that the average person gets more of their information from fear and superstition sources vice technical ones. The media, which is both unknowledgeable and unhelpful regarding radiation (it sells more adverts to be sensational), and the entertainment industry (gets higher ratings to be fanciful), are the sources of most public knowledge of radiation risks, and none on benefits.
Additionally, there is a problem of understanding the human nature of feeling safer when in direct control of the risk, not unlike a comparison between the mortality risk of driving or flying a given number of miles. While flying is far and away safer, significantly more fear is associated with airline deaths than self-driving highway deaths.
However, the study is a good one to review, in that it attempts to quantify the actuality of the minuscule increase in potential cancers resulting from RT of the hands, and arrives at a somewhat realistic factor in the hundredths of a percent of excess cancer death risks, which I would state is conservative, that is, overstated if anything.
The analysis correctly concludes that there is a summed change of almost 25% of dying from all cancers (that's pretty close to truth in modern industrial societies), while the increase in cancers from DC RT is a tiny, tiny fraction.
From observing my father suffer with DC over 25 years, I can easily conclude that the tiny risk of any injury from the RT is far and away worth it. While DC is not suffering in the sense of terminal cancers or MS, or ALS, for example, it is nonetheless debilitating and can have a significant negative impact on quality of life. I'll go one further. Given the poor rate of success of DC surgery, as compared to the high rate of success of RT, to me it is a complete no-brainer to select the RT.
YMMV
Best wishes regarding your choices and results.
Kevin
Edited 08/11/14 12:37
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08/11/2014 19:48
psyduck 
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08/11/2014 19:48
psyduck
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Re: Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday
I feel the same way. (And I agree about Dr. Weiss and staff. Good first day of RT at VCU MCC.)
EasyRhino:
Given the poor rate of success of DC surgery, as compared to the high rate of success of RT, to me it is a complete no-brainer to select the RT.
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08/11/2014 20:47
EasyRhino
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08/11/2014 20:47
EasyRhino
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Re: Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday
psyduck:
I feel the same way. (And I agree about Dr. Weiss and staff. Good first day of RT at VCU MCC.)
EasyRhino:
Given the poor rate of success of DC surgery, as compared to the high rate of success of RT, to me it is a complete no-brainer to select the RT.
Glad to hear that your day went well.
How is the Hospitality House? This is one aspect on which I cannot comment.
Kevin
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08/11/2014 21:25
kate
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08/11/2014 21:25
kate
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Re: Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday
Kevin, why are you having a second round of RT in 7 weeks time? I have read that Prof. Seegenschmiedt recommends two treatments 12 weeks apart.
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08/11/2014 21:26
psyduck
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08/11/2014 21:26
psyduck
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Re: Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday
The people are very friendly...it really is like a home environment. Rooms are clean, come with two beds and a small TV. Nothing fancy, but it is a $15/nt suggested donation and they don't turn anyone away that can't afford to give. There is a very large kitchen with cooking appliances and several refrigerators and freezers. Some local businesses even donate food sometimes. There's a pool table and large family room with TV in common area. They offer a shuttle to the hospital, which I used this morning. This afternoon I decided to use the parking garage near hospitality house. Not sure how much it is, but it's a reduced rate for people staying here. Will then decide which option I prefer. The parking garage at the hospital is free for residents, but it's a one-way garage that gets backed up when people wait for someone to vacate a space. Also, it's a hike to the garage and there are only 2 elevators servicing an 8-floor garage so there are often waits for room on an elevator. Am trying valet. I know you said they backed up, but it's hard to believe it could be worse than using the parking garage. Will let you know which works out better.
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08/11/2014 22:56
EasyRhino
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08/11/2014 22:56
EasyRhino
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Re: Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday
kate:
Kevin, why are you having a second round of RT in 7 weeks time? I have read that Prof. Seegenschmiedt recommends two treatments 12 weeks apart.
I note that different doctors have different recommendations; however, all are within a few weeks. Dr. Weiss recommended 6-8 weeks, but I don't think that she would have pushed back too much if I couldn't get back for 12 weeks.
Kevin
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08/11/2014 22:57
EasyRhino
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08/11/2014 22:57
EasyRhino
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Re: Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday
psyduck:
The people are very friendly...it really is like a home environment. Rooms are clean, come with two beds and a small TV. Nothing fancy, but it is a $15/nt suggested donation and they don't turn anyone away that can't afford to give. There is a very large kitchen with cooking appliances and several refrigerators and freezers. Some local businesses even donate food sometimes. There's a pool table and large family room with TV in common area. They offer a shuttle to the hospital, which I used this morning. This afternoon I decided to use the parking garage near hospitality house. Not sure how much it is, but it's a reduced rate for people staying here. Will then decide which option I prefer. The parking garage at the hospital is free for residents, but it's a one-way garage that gets backed up when people wait for someone to vacate a space. Also, it's a hike to the garage and there are only 2 elevators servicing an 8-floor garage so there are often waits for room on an elevator. Am trying valet. I know you said they backed up, but it's hard to believe it could be worse than using the parking garage. Will let you know which works out better.
That's a nice benefit that they offer.
Kevin
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08/15/2014 20:44
psyduck
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08/15/2014 20:44
psyduck
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Re: Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday
Hi Kevin,
I know you're only a week out from your first round of treatment, but was curious if you'd noticed any changes at all or whether you had any side effects. I had mild swelling after my 3rd treatment, but it was very short-lived (gone for the most part later in the day).
Thanks!
Karen
P.S. - Drove out to Ghent (Norfolk) one day and grabbed lunch at No Frills on Colley. If you haven't been there, it's worth a try. They always have something interesting on the menu. (I had yellow split pea soup and grilled tuna salad - both delicious.)
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08/16/2014 20:36
EasyRhino
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08/16/2014 20:36
EasyRhino
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Re: Starting Radiation Treatments Next Monday
psyduck:
Hi Kevin,
I know you're only a week out from your first round of treatment, but was curious if you'd noticed any changes at all or whether you had any side effects. I had mild swelling after my 3rd treatment, but it was very short-lived (gone for the most part later in the day).
Thanks!
Karen
P.S. - Drove out to Ghent (Norfolk) one day and grabbed lunch at No Frills on Colley. If you haven't been there, it's worth a try. They always have something interesting on the menu. (I had yellow split pea soup and grilled tuna salad - both delicious.)
I had some very mild sensitivity during the treatments, second day, I think. Since then, not much to report, although the largest nodules in my left hand - the one with more and harder, more noticeable nodules, feels as if it might be a bit harder and tighter than prior to the treatments. Other than that, nothing to report.
I presume that your week of first treatments went well, then?
I have been with the whole family to the Ghent No-Frills Grill on several occasions as my youngest son lives in a condo in Ghent, and it is a favorite of my oldest son, who is in D.C. My favorite in Ghent is Luna Maya, great South American food.
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