12 weeks after my 1st Radiation Therapy Treatment for my Ledderhose Disease (Dupuytren's Disease)

On the Monday starting the 12th week after my 1st radiation therapy, I am back in Tampa for my second session of RT with Lawrence Hochman, RO. http://floridacancer.com/physicians/lawrence-hochman-do-facro/   I am feeling none of the anxiousness I felt prior.  I know what to expect.  OR, I should say, I know to expect nothing.  That's a good thing!

I returned with some reservations about getting this second round of RT.  I felt I had enough pain relief that I really considered not having this second session.  It was explained to me that I needed it.  It was explained that round 1 was like taking 1/2 your dose of antibiotics and round 2 was finishing up the antibiotics.  The only reason I had such reservations is because I only get these two sessions of RT for life.  I was wondering if I should "save" this second session for the future if I needed it. Needless to say, I returned and I am so thankful months later that I did!http://www.dupuytrensdiseasesupport.com/


I completed my week of radiation therapy with nothing to report.  It takes appx 45 seconds per foot to administer the RT.  Dr. Hochman's team is an "on-time" group.  My appointment was at 9:30 am and at that time I was already in the room having my treatment and by 9:40 I am out the door.

The team took a look at my fibromas and felt them.  The large one is still there and can be seen and felt with a little less of a pointed stone on the top. The smaller ones are so small they are well under the skin.

I continue my RT-vacation with my water sock, keeping my foot out of the chlorine and sun.  We did take a kayak trip this time and did quiet a bit of vacation looking in Tarpon Springs, Weeki Watchi, Clearwater Beach and any other spot that looked interesting.  Who would want to miss this?
The water is crystal clear!  

I cannot stress enough to you how I connected to the Facebook forum DART - Dupuytren's Advocates for Radiation Therapy.  It was this group that got me to where I am and I want to continue to be part of the Dupuytren's and Ledderhose Community and give back.  I wouldn't want anyone to suffer as I did with this disease.  If you do not belong to a Support Group, I strongly suggest you join us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1622748151282109/

Below is the DART logo you are looking for:

What I did after RT for my Ledderhose Disease (and it's connection to Dupuytren's Disease)

From the first day of RT, I was asked to keep a cover on my foot for the week or so.  That could have been a sock, a shoe or in my case because I traveled to Florida I wore a water sock so I could go into the pool everyday.  I was asked to keep my foot out of the water (due to the chlorine) as much as I could.  I also wanted to keep the sun away from the treated skin.  When out of the pool, I wore my trusty Crocs and tennis shoes.  I went about my normal day, grocery shopping, walking my laps and swimming.  I tried to stay off any gravel or grassy areas since I didn't want to step on any unwanted rocks or stones.

I used these in the water and they worked perfectly.  I could walk to the pool with the hard sole and left them on while in the pool.  They worked out great.  While not so stylish, I had to gather my pride and realize more than likely I would never see these people again.  http://www.fila.com/womens-skele-toes-ez-slide-drainage/5PK14074.html?dwvar_5PK14074_color=033#q=skeletoes&start=1

 

8 weeks Post RT for my Ledderhose Disease and it's connection to Dupuytren's Disease

I've charted my weeks and months after Radiation Therapy, but I will recap some of those dates in the weeks to come.

First RT Session June 2015. It took appx 8 weeks before I really "saw" any change in my fibromas.  It was a mild change at 8 weeks.

At 8 weeks, my foot looked a little swollen in photos.  While I did not feel any of this, it looked as if the arch area was almost flat to the remainder of my foot.  I have a normal arch so it was noticeable.  The skin also looked "thin".  I can't find another word for describing it.  It was never a red spot, and never an irritation at any of the fibroma locations.

At 8 weeks I was definitely on my way to being pain free.  The big toe pain I was experiencing was very mild and the fibroma pain was mild also.  I would say a 3/4 out of 10 on most days.

When I walk a lot the fibroma will have a tender feeling when I take my shoes off and that feeling continues until the following day.  I have resorted to wearing Crocs as much as I can at home.  That firm cushion they have seem to sooth the tenderness.  I definitely cannot go barefoot. 

My plantar fasciitis(PF) prevents me from every walking barefoot, even at home. If you have PF the fibroma pain is right up there on the same pain level.  My PF will not be the throbbing pain it looks like.

I have tried to stay in either Nike tennis shoes or Crocs from the minute I wake up until I go to bed.  I find with this I get the most relief.

I have a pair of Teva sandals that I can wear, but I cannot wear them more than about 2 hours and really don't want to be on my feet all that time because my fibromas will be very tender.  But, I do see the possibility of other shoes in my future.

2015/2016 MY R.T. EXPERIENCE FOR MY LEDDERHOSE DISEASE

My experience after Radiation Therapy

My R.T. experience was uneventful.  The first dose of R.T. was administered and during that week I applied an alcohol free moisturizer to the base of the foot several times a day.  My R.T. was early in the morning so I did not apply anything prior to the treatment.  I kept a sock and shoe on the foot as much as possible.  However, I did go swimming everyday in the pool.  I kept a pool sock on for that. 


Appx day 3 I could tell there was some lessening of pain in my big toe.  I would say my pain was a strong 8 out of 10.  The treated area appeared to be a little puffy but I did not feel any swelling at all.


We left on day 5 and by this day I definitely knew the pain was lessening.  It was still probably a strong 8.  I experienced as much pain from the big toe and I experienced with the fibroma.  The reduction of pain was with my big toe, not the fibroma.

The below photo is after both sessions of Radiation Therapy.  The last treatment was late September 2015.  This photo is January 2016, 3 1/2 months post R.T.  The fibroma is almost flat to my foot.  I can still feel the fibroma and it feels similar to a callus.  It is no longer painful, however, when I walk a lot it gets tender.  It normally recovers by the next day.  I have had no further growth of any of my fibromas and I am pain free.  RT gave me back my life.
http://www.dupuytrensdiseasesupport.com/what-is-ledderhose-disease.html

 The statements or any opinions expressed within this website or any related or advertised sites are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Any advice or comments given  should not be relied upon as individual medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is intended everyone is advised to consult their own doctors for medical advice specific to them. There is no endorsement nor recommendation of any treatment nor physician noted on this site.

2015 RADIATON DOSAGE FOR MY LEDDERHOSE DISEASE

My Radiation Therapy Dosage

Dr. Hochman follows the German protocol by Prof Seegenschmiedt.  That protocol is 3GY, for 5 days with a break of appx 12 weeks and then another 3GY, for 5 days.  I waited the full 12 weeks.  I had no post radiation therapy complications.  Some people do experience some side effects like extremely dry skin to a few people blistering and the skin becoming inflamed/red.

The above machine was used to administer the radiation therapy.  The attachment is where the mold is located.  The mold then is placed precisely over the foot and lined up with the doctors drawing and tattoo area.  They lay a "bolus" over my foot.  This is a cool damp feeling material that allows the radiation to be delivered closest to the skin.  Then the radiation therapy is administered. Lasting appx 45 seconds per foot.
 http://www.dupuytrensdiseasesupport.com/what-is-ledderhose-disease.html

 The statements or any opinions expressed within this website or any related or advertised sites are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Any advice or comments given  should not be relied upon as individual medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is intended everyone is advised to consult their own doctors for medical advice specific to them. There is no endorsement nor recommendation of any treatment nor physician noted on this site.

2015 1ST DAY OF RADIATION THERAPY FOR LEDDERHOSE DISEASE

My right foot, 2 nodules

1st Day of Radiation Therapy for my Ledderhose Disease

I go in for my first treatment and tell the assistant about my other foot.   He moves forward with the treatment on my right foot.  They lay me down on my stomach, prop my foot on a pillow, lay the bolus over the treatment area, places the mold in place, and administers the dose.  It takes about 45 seconds to deliver the dose.  He comes back in with Dr. Hochman.  We do another exam of the left foot and YES, I have a nodule there!  Overnight?  I remember several people saying their nodules came up overnight.  We move forward with making a mold for the left foot.  It also gets 4 tattoos (ouch) and mapped. I will return that afternoon for that treatment. They will make the mold and do the insurance paperwork.  I return in the afternoon, treat the left foot.  The Tuesday - Friday treatment goes according to plan.  It takes appx 45 seconds a foot. The office is on-time every single day. So within 10 minutes I am in and out and on my way.

The two round circles are fibromas, the larger circled fibroma is appx 1.4 mm and the smaller .8 mm.  A shield was made to administer the radiation to the are within the larger area.  There are 4 tattoo's, not very visible.  The R.O. used a sharpie to mark the nodules and area to be irradiated.
http://www.dupuytrensdiseasesupport.com/what-is-ledderhose-disease.html

 The statements or any opinions expressed within this website or any related or advertised sites are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Any advice or comments given  should not be relied upon as individual medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is intended everyone is advised to consult their own doctors for medical advice specific to them. There is no endorsement nor recommendation of any treatment nor physician noted on this site.

2015 NIGHT BEFORE R.T. NOW WHAT? DO I HAVE LEDDERHOSE ON MY LEFT FOOT TOO?

Sunday before my Radiation Therapy scheduled for Monday

I feel this firey, hot spot and itching on my left foot in the same exact location as the small nodule on my right foot.  OH NO!  All I can think is this foot has it too.  How can this be?  I've had no reason to think I have this in my other foot. But this sensation of fire and itching keeps on all day and night.  I have this same sensation in the other foot.
http://www.dupuytrensdiseasesupport.com/what-is-ledderhose-disease.html


The statements or any opinions expressed within this website or any related or advertised sites are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Any advice or comments given  should not be relied upon as individual medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is intended everyone is advised to consult their own doctors for medical advice specific to them. There is no endorsement nor recommendation of any treatment nor physician noted on this site.