First, thanks for all the wonderful help on this board. Especially to Lori and Dr. Crimaldi in Charlotte for taking the time to help me arrange RT. After I talked with Dr. C, he didn’t want me to have to travel so far so he contacted UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and talked with their radiation oncology staff. Apparently he reached the right person. Today I met with Dr. Ruby Meredith and her resident.

Both doctors were unbelievably caring and most interested in my situation. Before my appointment they had researched DC and radiation therapy. They were familiar with Dr. Seegenschmiedt and had prints of his articles. They also knew of Dr. T at Scripps and were planning to follow up with him on his protocol. They conducted a thorough examination and history with me. I knew UAB had a great reputation as a teaching hospital but I was prepared to have a disappointing visit on my attempt to seek RT for DC where it had not been done before.

I go back for a scan tomorrow. I do have to make a decision about whether to try and release the mild contracture in my right pinkie "before" the RT. I'm not sure the hand surgeon will touch it at this point. But if I have the RT treatment I am unsure how that would impact the mild contracture. If I need NA to release it at a later point I wonder if the surgical trauma might induce more problems after the RT.

I'm hopeful the RT will help as my case seems very aggressive. In 6 weeks time I've got 2 large and very tender nodules, other smaller nodules I can feel, the contracture mentioned above, burning in both palms and both soles, and a tightness for about 4 weeks in my R shoulder.

flojo:

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Great news!

My understanding is that the NA done first helps the hand to lay flat for RT. Dr. T said that I did the right thing by having NA first, then RT. Just something to consider.

David26,

You wrote:

Luba and Wolfgang,
I'm thinking that RT and NA are complementary to each other. It's seeming that they each support the other and rusults may actually be better together.
Is this possible?

Flora

I don't claim knowledge on this but this is my take. Better to have RT after NA because the contracture might continue otherwise won't it? Perhaps more slowly though? If no NA is done, then three things, you don't have a good flat surface for RT, there is some evidence that later trauma (NA) might induce more nodules and cord formation (?), and the contracture can continue.

I don't understand the downside to radiating after NA. In my case, I'm not sure if there is a nodule at the PIP of the contracture finger or if it is just a thick cord. If a nodule, I want that area radiated as well.

My one contracture is currently less than the normal threshold for NA but I do have some pain here and there when the cord gets stretched. If I will need to release the contracture, wouldn't it be best to do it now before RT?

I do understand it may reoccur and that is the frustrating thing about this disease. It is almost like a malignancy in some ways.

[Wolfgang, your post above wasn't there when I composed mine]

Edited 05/12/10 18:52