Dear >spanishbudda<

I know the feeling of getting renewed disease on the contralateral feet or hand quite well ... So you get my best wishes and also recommendation for a re-visit of Prof. Seegenschmiedt in HAMBURG. Didn't you get your first treatment there ?

For me there is no doubt that radiation therapy at this moment is the best choice for a "new progression" in the contralateral hand or feet. I also had the rare experience with Prof. Seegenschmiedt, who is working both in HAMBURG (during the week) and in ESSEN (weekends), to treat rapid recurring nodes just 3 months after surgery of my foot. It was the most successful treatment : it not only stopped the nodes but also softened the tissues around. I recently had my 3-year follow-up vist with Prof. Seegenschmiedt in ESSEN - and all is either much better or in stable condition. No new nodules anywhere in RT-areas.

Thus, un all SPECIAL CASES I would recommend to consult Prof. Seegenschmiedt as the really most experienced expert worldwide and a very fine man and physician at the same time; as far as I heard from him, he is accumulating more and more specific knowlegde about RETREATMENT after previous (unsuccessful) radiotherapy and EARLY RADIOTHERAPY post surgery.

All the best for you and this fresh NEW YEAR, Larry

Edited 01/08/12 00:03

spanishbuddha:

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... At what point do you decide 'got to get it treated'? As you can expect I'm watching it like a hawk at the moment.

Edited 01/08/12 13:50

Dear Spanishbuddah,

I had my hand treated with RT for just one nodule. From my own experience I could see a cord becoming more visable right through the middle of the nodule. It went from the base of my middle finger and stopped just short of my palm. Mine progressed rapidly and I took pictures every week so I could see if it changed. The cord became more pronounced and thicker. The next step was puckering at the base of the middle finger and the index finger, right where the cord ended. I then began to feel a slight tugging for lack of a better word at the base of that finger. A tightness that was not there before. I became more clumsy and dropped things. It hurt to press on that cord. chopping vege's with a kinfe or opening a jar really hurt my hand. I felt that I was starting the first step towards contraction. Would it have stopped? Who knows? I did not want to lose that window for RT treatment so I decided sooner was better than later. It has worked out for me and I am sorry the jury is still out for your RT treatment. Maybe this will help you in being able to identify if contraction is starting. I don't know if others have had similar experiences.

Lori