Me and Dup

  People like me with Dupuytren's know how frustrating this disease can be. On so many levels! Right now, I'm on the look out for a hand specialist or orthopedic hand surgeon who is on board with radiation as a treatment option for early stages of Dupuytren's. So far, I've seen two orthopedic hand surgeons, and neither seemed to endorse radiation.    I've already had low-beam electron radiation treatments on my left hand. But I need someone to help me decide when the time's right for my right hand, which I hope and pray is some time far off. That specialist could also monitor my left hand.    In the meantime, I've watched numerous online interviews with Dr. Richard Shaffer, a consultant clinical oncologist and UK expert in the use of radiotherapy for treating Dupuytren's and other benign diseases. I plan to make some baseline measurements of my right hand that he recommends in " When is it too early for radiotherapy for Dupuytren's disease? ...

Yes, last Friday I completed my second and last round of radiation therapy on my left hand. After I was done, Niko, one of my radiation therapists, "Because you're you, would you like to have these?" He nodded toward the sheet of gummy bolus and blue cloth-covered, custom-molded pad, which held my hand in place. At first, I was perplexed. What would happen to them if I didn't?   "We'll throw them away," Niko said.    Hmm, what would I ever do with them? Finally, I shrugged and said, "Sure!"  So here they both are, for your educational pleasure. (Shhh, don't tell anyone but I'll probably end up throwing them away. Which I HATE because I despise trash. Maybe I can use the blue thing as a boat?)