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Hi All,

I had my first radiotherapy treatment today!

Dr Greg Wheeler and I met around 10 days ago and the ethics people hadn't been able to finalise the protocol within the hospital (Peter Mac Moorabbin, Melbourne) so we agreed to go ahead regardless of that indecision making process, no disrespect intended.

So today I went in and after around 75 minutes of talking, measuring, marking, photos and tracings of my hand I had a 45 second treatment on my right hand. Painless, noiseless and quick! We have decided to follow the European example and do 5 daily treatments then 6 weeks off then 5 more dailies.

I will keep you all informed as to the progress and believe me my fingers are crossed for a good result.

Tomo

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What's the problem for the ethics people?

Also, I thought the treatment was about 3 or 5 minutes? I may have misunderstood.

Australia Calling.Adelaide.
Wolfgang is correct. The dose is important. I recently had RT on both hands and feet. I received the total dose of 30 Gy . on both the hands and feet. The feet were dosed over 5 consecutive days at 3 Gy and the 2nd dose again 5 consecutive days at 3 Gy. Three (3) months later. My hands were somewhat different as I have two skin grafts on each hand so Prof Seegenschmiedt shielded the grafts treating two separate areas on each hand. I received the 30 Gy over 5 consecutive days.I did not have a second treatment on the hands when my feet were received the second dose. The prof. measured the square area and photographed each proceedure so that when the radiotherapist was setting up the cone I was able to check and double check the area being radiated was identical to the photographs. This did give me extra confidence as I saw everything was documented. Each of my radiation times were 3 minutes. They used an Orthovoltage machine with filters and different cones ,so time factor does come into play ,but it is all calculated on many factors including the distance theRT. source is from the radiated area. This was my experience.

Hi All,

I don't know the doses.

I had only the affected area radiated, not whole hand. There was a lead shield protecting the rest of my hand with an oval shaped aperture of 1.6 X 2.9 cm which matches the size of the raised section of my palm.

They gave me a small tub of Sorbolene cream to keep the area moist for once daily use. They also advised that I wash my hand in pure soap only for the duration of the treatment period, nothing with perfumes etc added as this will aggravate the radiated site.

I will try to find out some more information on my subsequent visits and keep you informed.

Tomo

If you can put those pictures on a server then you cna include a link to them in your post using the (img) BB-Code. Or you can mail them to me and I can include them in your post. Or, if ou are willing to wait a couple of weeks, we will upgrade our forum software to a new version that allows uploading of small pics.

Wolfgang

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... I will try to take some pics on my monday treatment. Can I show pics to this forum somehow without my own website? Maybe you will have to give me your email addresses individually for the pics but wait until I get some, they may not let me take them.

Tomo

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For those who are interested I started the first of two radiation courses of treatment courtesy of Dr Greg Wheeler at Peter Mac today.

I'm 57. Details of complaint are: nodes and cord in palm of hand pertaining to pinky finger only. A lump up towards the wrist. Large lump on the first phalange of my pinky finger causing a slight (15 degree) bend. All lumps a little painful (eg makes holding handlebars of bike uncomfortable). Lumps had appeared and developed within space of 6 months and appeared to be developing aggressively.

As might be expected nothing more to report at this stage. I will report at the end of the second set course.

As a side note, I first saw Greg in mid December and was slightly panicked because he could arrange treatment until now. At that stage the nodes in my hand appeared to be developing quickly - noticeable change within a month. However, I have changed at least two variables - starting radiation treatment, and stopped taking Glucosamine (after I read about it on this website). I have the impression that the growth has been restrained since stopping, but they are still growing.

I also have had surgery for LD on both feet (one when very young which was successful, and one which causes bigger lumps than before in mid 20's). Before I stopped the Glucosamine I have the impression that my foot lumps were feeling hot and more sensitive. This impression has left me since stopping the Glucosamine.

I am therefore left in a slightly confused state not knowing quite what is important. Also having just read a book titled "Bad Science" (highly recommended), I am also left in a state of wondering how much weight should be applied to this anecdotal evidence.

However, I guess that the key is that of long term effect(s) of the radiation treatment - I'll let you know when I get really old!

Regards,

Chris.