My Journey – a diary
Hi. My name is Sheryl, and I have Dupuytren's disease.
You have WHAT?
My reaction exactly.
June 2024
This story begins in early summer. During my annual exam at a local medical clinic, I showed the physician’s assistant a lump in the webbing between my thumb and index finger on my left hand. I’d noticed it for a few weeks and thought maybe it was a bug bite. The PA felt the lump, then pronounced it to be some sort of cyst that would cost $1,000+ to remove surgically.
I promptly forgot about it.
July 2024
While at my annual dermatology visit, I stuck out my hand and showed the doctor my lump. Likewise, she felt it.
“Oh, that’s Dupuytren’s contracture,” she said.
“That’s WHAT?” I replied.
“Dupuytren’s,” she repeated.
“Could you please write that down for me?”
“Sure.” The doctor tore off a piece of paper and scribbled Dupuytren’s contracture in black ink. I stared at the words, then stuck the paper in my purse.
There it remained until I began to notice the lump more and more. Grudgingly, I pulled out the paper and Googled the name. That’s when I began to learn not only how to say and spell Dupuytren, but how I looked to be headed for a challenging health issue at age 65. On Facebook, I joined several Dupuytren groups.
What is Dupuytren’s disease?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Dupuytren’s contracture (also called Dupuytren’s disease) is an abnormal thickening of the skin in the palm of your hand at the base of your fingers. This thickened area may develop into a hard lump or thick band. Over time, it can cause one or more fingers to curl (contract), or pull sideways or in toward your palm. The ring and little fingers are most commonly affected. In many cases, it affects both hands." Feet may also be affected.
According to what I’ve read, the disease is believed to be hereditary. It may also be linked to smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies or medicines used to treat seizures.
I fit none of those profiles.
By the way, the disease is named for Baron Guillaume Dupuytren, a French surgeon who described and developed the first surgical procedures to alleviate what became known as "Dupuytren's contracture."
September 2024
After asking around, I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in the Hill Country. At his clinic, a technician took three x-rays of my hand in different positions. Later, the doctor stepped into the exam room to look at my hand.
“Yep, you’ve got Dupuytren’s,” he said matter-of-factly.
In a nutshell, he said the only solution – because there is no cure – was to remove the nodules via surgery. He shook his head at other medical alternatives, such as shots or radiation. Too expensive, he said.
“All we can do is monitor your hand,” he said. “Come back in six months, and we’ll take another look.”
I got back on Facebook and started asking questions in my Dupuytren groups. I also cancelled my follow-up with the orthopedic surgeon.
October 2024
One evening, James, my husband, and I took a bike ride in the neighborhood. Fifteen or so minutes later, I noticed my left hand begin to ache. So I lessened my grip on the handlebar and then completely let go. I must have “awakened the monster,” as Dupuytren patients say, because my nodules began to grow and increase. My hand aches and tingles sometimes. It's not pleasant.
Thanks to this odd condition, I've become more aware of others who suffer with it. While at a recent Texas Master Naturalist conference, a nice gentleman and I attended several of the same sessions. I'd noticed that the fingers on one of his hands were drawn up and contracted. Finally, I got up my nerve, leaned over to him, and stuck out my left hand.
"Do you have what I have?" I asked.
He nodded. "Yes, my father had it," he said. Thankfully, the gentleman said he has no associated pain with his Dupuytren's contracture.
In the meantime, I reached out to Debra, a Texan in one of my Facebook groups, and asked if she could recommend a radiation specialist. From what I’d read, low radiation therapy seemed to be my best option for relief. She said yes and reached out to her oncologist. He got right back to her!
On a Saturday morning, October 12, I emailed Dr. Shalin Shah (pronounced “shaw”) with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Sugarland, Texas, and requested an online consultation. By that evening, he emailed me back!
October 31, 2024 – Consultation with Dr. Shah
Via Zoom, Dr. Shah met with me and shared a slideshow to help explain this disease. He ultimately recommended that I proceed with low radiation therapy on my left hand. Here are some of Dr. Shah’s thoughts and observations during our visit, which I recorded (with his permission):
“We
need to figure out how much this is growing (in my hand). And if it is,
we can jump in with radiation to prevent it from progressing further.
If it’s just hanging out, then we don’t need to jump into radiation. We
can continue to watch it. If it does progress, then we need to start
radiation. That’s what we’re going to figure out today. Radiation is an
option, but we want it to be an option when it starts to grow and
progress.”
“Once
we examine you, we give you a stage, which is dependent on how much
contracture you have (in your hand). You’re still pretty flat. You fall
into that early stage. That’s important because if we can catch it
early, where you’re contracted less than 10 or 11 degrees, we can do
radiation to prevent it from progressing more. If it’s progressed past
that, then I would have the hand surgeon do a procedure to straighten
you out, then do radiation after that. You’re not there yet.”
“The
hand surgeon was right in the sense that he would not touch you with a
procedure right now. But a lot of hand surgeons aren’t familiar with
radiation as a preventative option. That’s changing slowly as more
radiation oncologists get involved.”
“For
me personally, I’m a cancer doctor. I treat head and neck cancer, and
prostrate cancer. I got involved in Dupuytren’s because I was moderating
a radiation oncology discussion group on Facebook, and one of the
patients with Dupuytren’s back in 2015 reached out and said, ‘We need
more radiation oncologists to educate themselves and advocate for us.’
That’s when I got involved. So far, I’ve treated about 160 or so hands
and feet since then.”
“I
see that this is often mislabeled as a “benign” disease. But when you
do that, you ignore the effects that it has on people. On their work, on
their day to day. On their pain. On their mental state. It’s anything
but benign because you see what our patients go through. That’s why I’ve
gotten involved. I want to help.”
“The
level of success (of radiation) is dependent on how early we catch it.
The Germans have been using radiation to treat Dupuytren’s since the
1940s.”
[Shares
a chart] “So of all people who have nodules and elect not to get
treated, about 35 percent will notice growth, meaning more nodules, more
progression. But that means 65 percent have not. Those who got
radiation, only about 5 percent end up progressing. So our success rate
is good, especially if we catch it early.”
“I feel comfortable offering radiation to you on your left hand and watching your right hand closely.”
“When
folks come in for treatment, we’ll map out where the disease is. We’ll
take a CT scan with you on your back. My target area is the tendons on
top of the bone. Those I want to hit with a superficial form of
radiation called electron beam radiation that are targeted at the soft
tissue in between the bones and the skin. I use your CT scan to
determine how deep we need to go.”
“We
use a linear accelerator machine to deliver the radiation. We do five
days of treatment, then we take a 12-week break. Then we do five more
days of treatment. At 11 weeks or so, you come back into clinic, and I
examine you again to see if there are any changes. If there are changes,
we can make those adjustments, then give you that second course. After
that, you can follow up with me or the hand surgeon.”
“Most
common side effects are redness, irritation and swelling, especially in
the nodules, that can last for a little bit. Conservative management:
Motrim, ice packs and cold packs. Some people have dry skin or sloughing
off of the skin. Sweating or decreased sweating in the hand. The
biggest theoretical side effect we worry about is a second cancer in the
radiation field. If you look at all the German reports going back to
the 1940s, no one’s ever reported a second cancer from this type of
radiation. It’s a very low dose.”
“The
goal of this treatment is not to make this go away but to prevent it
from progressing further. About 90 to 95 percent of patients will have
prevention of progression. The lucky 15 to 20 percent will actually show
some regression, such as softening of nodules. Five to 10 percent will
have progression. But the results have been pretty good.
“I will do secondary course (of radiation) and even a third. I don’t like to, but I will. But it’s rare.”
THANK YOU, DR. SHAH! For more information, Dr. Shah has two videos on his YouTube channel.
I am moving forward to seek radiation treatment from a radiation oncologist at the Mays Cancer Center/MD Anderson Cancer Center in San Antonio. I will update this page as I go along.
You have WHAT?
My reaction exactly.
June 2024
This story begins in early summer. During my annual exam at a local medical clinic, I showed the physician’s assistant a lump in the webbing between my thumb and index finger on my left hand. I’d noticed it for a few weeks and thought maybe it was a bug bite. The PA felt the lump, then pronounced it to be some sort of cyst that would cost $1,000+ to remove surgically.
I promptly forgot about it.
July 2024
While at my annual dermatology visit, I stuck out my hand and showed the doctor my lump. Likewise, she felt it.
“Oh, that’s Dupuytren’s contracture,” she said.
“That’s WHAT?” I replied.
“Dupuytren’s,” she repeated.
“Could you please write that down for me?”
“Sure.” The doctor tore off a piece of paper and scribbled Dupuytren’s contracture in black ink. I stared at the words, then stuck the paper in my purse.
There it remained until I began to notice the lump more and more. Grudgingly, I pulled out the paper and Googled the name. That’s when I began to learn not only how to say and spell Dupuytren, but how I looked to be headed for a challenging health issue at age 65. On Facebook, I joined several Dupuytren groups.
What is Dupuytren’s disease?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Dupuytren’s contracture (also called Dupuytren’s disease) is an abnormal thickening of the skin in the palm of your hand at the base of your fingers. This thickened area may develop into a hard lump or thick band. Over time, it can cause one or more fingers to curl (contract), or pull sideways or in toward your palm. The ring and little fingers are most commonly affected. In many cases, it affects both hands." Feet may also be affected.
According to what I’ve read, the disease is believed to be hereditary. It may also be linked to smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies or medicines used to treat seizures.
I fit none of those profiles.
By the way, the disease is named for Baron Guillaume Dupuytren, a French surgeon who described and developed the first surgical procedures to alleviate what became known as "Dupuytren's contracture."
September 2024
After asking around, I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in the Hill Country. At his clinic, a technician took three x-rays of my hand in different positions. Later, the doctor stepped into the exam room to look at my hand.
“Yep, you’ve got Dupuytren’s,” he said matter-of-factly.
In a nutshell, he said the only solution – because there is no cure – was to remove the nodules via surgery. He shook his head at other medical alternatives, such as shots or radiation. Too expensive, he said.
“All we can do is monitor your hand,” he said. “Come back in six months, and we’ll take another look.”
I got back on Facebook and started asking questions in my Dupuytren groups. I also cancelled my follow-up with the orthopedic surgeon.
October 2024
One evening, James, my husband, and I took a bike ride in the neighborhood. Fifteen or so minutes later, I noticed my left hand begin to ache. So I lessened my grip on the handlebar and then completely let go. I must have “awakened the monster,” as Dupuytren patients say, because my nodules began to grow and increase. My hand aches and tingles sometimes. It's not pleasant.
Thanks to this odd condition, I've become more aware of others who suffer with it. While at a recent Texas Master Naturalist conference, a nice gentleman and I attended several of the same sessions. I'd noticed that the fingers on one of his hands were drawn up and contracted. Finally, I got up my nerve, leaned over to him, and stuck out my left hand.
"Do you have what I have?" I asked.
He nodded. "Yes, my father had it," he said. Thankfully, the gentleman said he has no associated pain with his Dupuytren's contracture.
In the meantime, I reached out to Debra, a Texan in one of my Facebook groups, and asked if she could recommend a radiation specialist. From what I’d read, low radiation therapy seemed to be my best option for relief. She said yes and reached out to her oncologist. He got right back to her!
On a Saturday morning, October 12, I emailed Dr. Shalin Shah (pronounced “shaw”) with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Sugarland, Texas, and requested an online consultation. By that evening, he emailed me back!
October 31, 2024 – Consultation with Dr. Shah
Via Zoom, Dr. Shah met with me and shared a slideshow to help explain this disease. He ultimately recommended that I proceed with low radiation therapy on my left hand. Here are some of Dr. Shah’s thoughts and observations during our visit, which I recorded (with his permission):
THANK YOU, DR. SHAH! For more information, Dr. Shah has two videos on his YouTube channel.
I am moving forward to seek radiation treatment from a radiation oncologist at the Mays Cancer Center/MD Anderson Cancer Center in San Antonio. I will update this page as I go along.
November 5, 2024 – Appointment with Dr. Ha
Today I met with Dr. Chul Ha, a nationally recognized expert in radiation oncology at the Mays Cancer Center
in San Antonio. (Dr. John Yassa also attended my appointment.) Dr. Ha
carefully explained the risks of radiation and mentioned that this type
of therapy for benign conditions isn't used very much in the States. I
told him I was ready to move forward with it. As planned, Dr. Ha will
confer with Dr. Shah.
First step: Schedule a CT simulation that will be used to map out the area of treatment on my left hand. After that, five days radiation followed by 10 or so weeks off. Dr. Ha will check my hand for any changes, then I'll return for five more days of radiation.
"Have you treated anyone with Dupuytren's before?" I asked.
Dr. Ha shook his head. "No."
"Oh, then I'll be your first," I exclaimed.
First step: Schedule a CT simulation that will be used to map out the area of treatment on my left hand. After that, five days radiation followed by 10 or so weeks off. Dr. Ha will check my hand for any changes, then I'll return for five more days of radiation.
"Have you treated anyone with Dupuytren's before?" I asked.
Dr. Ha shook his head. "No."
"Oh, then I'll be your first," I exclaimed.
I said I'd be happy to talk to any future patients about low radiation therapy for this disease.
November 18, 2024 – CT simulation
Left to right: Dr. John Yassa, Dr. Chul Ha, Nickie and Louis
This morning was CT simulation day. This was a first for me so I had no expectations.
We arrived at Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio by 8:45 a.m. Right before 9, Louis – one of two CT technicians – escorted me to the imaging room. I was happy when I saw Dr. John Yassa appear. Right away, Louis had me lay down on a table. It took a little bit of time before I found just the right position.
"Oh, this is how I sleep," I noted after finally getting adjusted on my left side. A flat blue block propped my head up. Above me, my left hand stretched out awkwardly, palm up on the table. By then, Nickie – the other CT tech – stepped into the room. So did Dr. Chul Ha. That's the moment my eyes welled up, and emotion got the better of me.
All these people are here to take care of me. I am so blessed. A tear leaked from my right eye down to the bridge of my nose. James, my husband, leaned over me. "You ok?"
"I'm just so grateful," I said. A few more tears escaped.
We arrived at Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio by 8:45 a.m. Right before 9, Louis – one of two CT technicians – escorted me to the imaging room. I was happy when I saw Dr. John Yassa appear. Right away, Louis had me lay down on a table. It took a little bit of time before I found just the right position.
"Oh, this is how I sleep," I noted after finally getting adjusted on my left side. A flat blue block propped my head up. Above me, my left hand stretched out awkwardly, palm up on the table. By then, Nickie – the other CT tech – stepped into the room. So did Dr. Chul Ha. That's the moment my eyes welled up, and emotion got the better of me.
All these people are here to take care of me. I am so blessed. A tear leaked from my right eye down to the bridge of my nose. James, my husband, leaned over me. "You ok?"
"I'm just so grateful," I said. A few more tears escaped.
Around
me, Dr. Ha worked to position my hand just right. It took everything I
had to get my thumb to lay flat. The rest of my fingers, too. It was not
comfortable.
"Oh, I've seen this before," Nickie commented. "We had at least two patients where I was before, and they had good success with radiation." That gave me more encouragement.
After
some time working with my hand, Dr. Ha seemed satisfied. Everyone left
the room. A soft motor rumbled, then the table slowly moved forward. The
entire time, I focused my blurry vision (I'm near-sighted) on a small
green neon light that glowed on a black box attached to the wall. A few
seconds, then the table moved back. It may have moved forward again.
Then Louis returned to the room. He removed a gummy clear sheet called a bolus from my
hand.
"Now I'm going to give you some tattoos," he said.
My first thoughts: Do I get to pick? Will they wash off?….
"Oh, I've seen this before," Nickie commented. "We had at least two patients where I was before, and they had good success with radiation." That gave me more encouragement.
"Now I'm going to give you some tattoos," he said.
My first thoughts: Do I get to pick? Will they wash off?….
"Really?" I asked, a bit skeptical. "Will they be permanent?”
"Yep. They'll look like little freckles. Like this one." Louis held out one of his hands and pointed to a spot on his palm. The black dot was barely visible.
"Oh, my first tattoos!"
Louis laughed. "See? Something good came out of today."
There I go, off to radiation yesterday morning in Vault 2 at the Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio. The rest of this week, I go for four more afternoons of treatments. My first treatment was a simple matter of climbing onto a table and laying still. (I later learned that vaults have concrete walls three to four feet thick to protect medical staff from radiation.) 
Dr. Chul Ha, accompanied by Dr. John Yassa, came into the room briefly with his laptop computer. He conferred with Jeff and Jasmine, the other radiation therapist, as they worked to arrange my hand just right. At one point, they marked my left hand with a purple marker. On the table, I stared sideways at a beautiful framed digital photograph of the sea while the radiation team exchanged numbers back and forth. Overhead piped-in singers crooned lyrics from the '80s. 
January 8, 2025 – Week #4
I can't put my left hand around a glass or mug without discomfort. The nodules are about the same – sometimes tender. Often tight feeling or like bruised. On a pain level, it's 1 or 2 – Thank the Lord for that!
My left hand has been uncomfortable and tight. The nodules seem harder. A week or so ago, I messaged Dr. Shah.
This morning, I met with Dr. Brian Fricke with the Department of Physical Medicine at the Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio. Once again, I feel like I've landed in really good hands. I officially have my quarterback now! Plus, he's young so I will definitely outlast him. LOL! February 11, 2025
"Yep. They'll look like little freckles. Like this one." Louis held out one of his hands and pointed to a spot on his palm. The black dot was barely visible.
"Oh, my first tattoos!"
Louis laughed. "See? Something good came out of today."
Then, using a tiny needle, he pricked my hand in three places. A little blood seeped from each.
"My daughter will be so impressed," I quipped.
Moving forward, my CT simulation from today will be used to map out the radiation areas on my hand. My first round of treatments has been scheduled for December 9-13.
"My daughter will be so impressed," I quipped.
Moving forward, my CT simulation from today will be used to map out the radiation areas on my hand. My first round of treatments has been scheduled for December 9-13.
December 9, 2024 – Radiation
"Oh, I was expecting a mattress," I joked when my bottom landed on a hard surface.
"Let me get you a pad," said Jeff, one of my two radiation therapists for the morning.
"That's okay," I replied, shrugging. On second thought, though. "Well, sure, okay," I agreed.
Jeff unfolded a vinyl pad on the table and covered it with a sheet. Then he gave me two foam triangular pillows. One went under my head and the other between my legs. Later, I was very thankful for the extra padding!
"Once you do radiation, there's no do overs," noted Jeff, who's been treating patients for 22 years. He's a cancer survivor himself. Like with Dr. Ha, I was Jeff's first Dupuytren's patient, though he's treated many hands with other diseases, namely cancer.
The doctors left while Jeff kept arranging my hand and the equipment. Finally, he was satisfied. Then he and Jasmine left the room. It was just me and George Benson.
"Cause there's music in the air and lots of lovin' everywhere. So gimme the night, gimme the night..."
I lay super still. Then a soft motor buzzed, maybe for a couple of minutes. A click sounded, then my first treatment was done! Afterward, James and I met briefly with Dr. Ha in an exam room. He told me to call him with any questions or concerns. But, hopefully, I'll only have maybe some redness on my hand and a little fatigue. We'll see!
December 18, 2024 – Week #1
For the next 10 weeks, I'm going to write a weekly update during this time of "rest" between radiation treatments. Last Friday, I had the last of five consecutive treatments on my left hand at Mays Cancer Center. I've already been asked by a couple of Dupuytren friends how I'm doing (both started their radiation this week).
No redness as yet in my hand. I'm feeling about the same, no fatigue. However, my nodules seem a little harder and more sensitive. If I accidentally bump one, YIKES! My hand aches sometimes but not too bad at all.
For the next 10 weeks, I'm going to write a weekly update during this time of "rest" between radiation treatments. Last Friday, I had the last of five consecutive treatments on my left hand at Mays Cancer Center. I've already been asked by a couple of Dupuytren friends how I'm doing (both started their radiation this week).
No redness as yet in my hand. I'm feeling about the same, no fatigue. However, my nodules seem a little harder and more sensitive. If I accidentally bump one, YIKES! My hand aches sometimes but not too bad at all.
December 27, 2024 – Week #2
My left hand is about the same this week. Some stinging, aching, tightness around the nodules.
My left hand is about the same this week. Some stinging, aching, tightness around the nodules.
Ugh, today I accidentally hit what must be a small nodule in the palm of my right hand. OUCH! Not good. It's time for me to buy some protective gloves and wear them.
January 8, 2025 – Week #4
I can't put my left hand around a glass or mug without discomfort. The nodules are about the same – sometimes tender. Often tight feeling or like bruised. On a pain level, it's 1 or 2 – Thank the Lord for that!
January 29, 2025 – Week #7
My left hand has been uncomfortable and tight. The nodules seem harder. A week or so ago, I messaged Dr. Shah.
"I have a question about the condition of my left hand since the first treatment in December," I wrote. "My nodules seem harder and more sensitive, a bit painful at times. I think I have a few new ones too. Is this 'normal' at this stage? I know every case is different."
Dr. Shah wrote back: "Yes, this is totally normal and the result of mild swelling after the first course. Dr. Ha will likely examine you prior to your second course to confirm. For now, conservative management with ibuprofen, cold packs can help with the swelling. If you need something stronger, Dr. Ha can prescribe a medrol dose pack."
Dr. Shah wrote back: "Yes, this is totally normal and the result of mild swelling after the first course. Dr. Ha will likely examine you prior to your second course to confirm. For now, conservative management with ibuprofen, cold packs can help with the swelling. If you need something stronger, Dr. Ha can prescribe a medrol dose pack."
I had also messaged Dr. Ha, who asked me to come in so he could assess my hand. Yesterday, James and I drove to the Mays Cancer Center to see him. He looked at my hand and compared the areas to a map photo of the radiated areas on my hand. He assured me that my nodules are all within the radiation target area.
Then I showed Dr. Ha my right hand. "I think it's starting in this hand, too, so you'll probably be seeing more of me."
He asked who was "quarterbacking" my case. In other words, who was my Dup doctor?
"That's the problem," I said. "I don't have anyone. The orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed me only recommended surgery and didn't mention radiation. I've looked for a hand doctor who would work with radiation, but I can't find anyone."
Dr. Ha said he'd check within the (UT Health San Antonio) system and get back to me. This morning, he called me and said that someone with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will contact me to set up a consultation. Dr. Ha said he wants my case followed "longitudinally." I believe that is really great news!
February 11, 2025 – Week #9
Dr. Fricke assured me that he's worked with Dupuytren's patients in the past and seemed very familiar with my condition. Surgery is a last resort for this disease, he said. Right now, our course of action will be three or four sessions of hand therapy (before or after my next and last radiation treatments, which start February 24). I will see Dr. Fricke again May 6. He mentioned that if two nodules in my left hand continue to grow, we might try steroid shots to slow them.
This afternoon, we returned to the Mays Cancer Center to begin my second and final week of radiation therapy. Dr. Ha came into Vault 2 to check my left hand and make sure the diseased areas were within the radiated areas. Radiation therapist Jeff greeted me with a big smile. Jasmine was there. I also met therapists Niko and Hannah, who took my photos. Someone marked up my hand. Later I received my discharge instructions.
Here's hoping these efforts put Dup into deep, deep remission!
Yesterday first I saw Dr. Chul Ha, my oncologist, for a five-month follow-up after finishing my radiation therapy in February. It was a short visit. He agreed that it seems the Dup in my treated left hand has progressed. He can do no further radiation on it. At one point, I told him that I felt like I'd failed him as his first Dupuytren's patient. We both chuckled. I still want others with this disease to know about the radiation option but also that it doesn't always work for some people. On the proverbial other hand, I've been told and read that positive radiation results can take up to 18 months. So I won't give up yet.
This morning, I met with yet another specialist – Dr. Stephen Drukker, a plastic surgeon who's qualified in hand surgery with TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine in San Antonio. From what I've read and heard, Dr. Drukker is well versed with Dupuytren's disease. I've been searching for someone who can monitor my Dup and help me navigate the years ahead. I left feeling like I've found that person.
February 11, 2025
Done! Today I completed the second and last round of radiation therapy on my left hand. Joyce, one of my radiation therapists (pictured above with therapist Niko), asked if I'd like to ring the bell. I declined out of respect for patients who have life-threatening conditions and diseases. My Dupuytren's is "only" life altering. I did get a nice certificate! I'll see see Dr. Ha, my radiation oncologist, in four months on July 1. Now, Dup, it's time for you to go into hibernation. A long, long one!
March 10, 2025
This morning, I met with an orthopedic hand surgeon in San Antonio. My oncologist referred me to him. To be honest, I didn't learn anything new. This doctor didn't seem to be in favor of radiation. He was kind, and I know he is very knowledgeable about what he does.
March 17, 2025
Today was my consultation with Joey and Alex at Momentum Physical Therapy in San Antonio. They visited with me for quite awhile and assured me that they have worked with many clients with Dupuytren's disease. But I am their first who has had radiation. The rest have had therapy after surgery on their hands.
March 28, 2025
Dr. Fricke agreed me with me on postponin further hand therapy. I was concerned that it might trigger my Dup.
May 19, 2025
This morning was my follow-up visit with Dr. Brian Fricke with the Department of Physical Medicine at the Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio. The news wasn't that great – Dup has progressed in my left hand.
"At some point in the future, you'll need surgery," Dr. Fricke said.
Not what I wanted to hear. I want to avoid surgery at all costs.
In the meantime, he suggested two possible future treatments to slow Dup down. 1) Hyaluronidase injections into nodules; 2) low-level laser therapy.
Looks like I have more research to do.
July 1, 2025
Next I met with Dr. Brian Fricke, the specialist who's "quarterbacking" me for Dr. Ha. He marked up both my hands so we can monitor progress and/or regression of my Dup. I asked him about prescribing me what's called a Transdermal Verapamil 15% topical cream/gel. I've read about it on the Dupuytren group pages on Facebook. Once again, the medicine slows down Dup's progression for some and not for others. I'm ready to give it a try!
Dr. Fricke discussed future "needling" and other more invasive procedures that I may consider down the road. Right now, I want to hold off from any of that for as long as I can.
 |
| Left hand |
 |
| Right hand |
 |
| How can I be smiling? I've got to! |
Oct. 7, 2025
This morning, I had a follow-up with Dr. Brian Fricke in San Antonio. He marked up my hands. Yes, the disease has progressed, but one nodule seemed to have shrunk some in my left hand, he said. He didn't have anything positive to report on the use and application of topical Verapamil but thought it was good to keep trying it. He was also in favor of me seeing another specialist who's a plastic surgeon. "Another set of eyes on my hands," he said. I'll see about making an appointment with that doctor soon.
 |
| Right hand |
 |
| Left hand |
Feb. 3, 2026
He reviewed my case briefly and then took measurements of both hands using a goniometer, a plastic type of ruler with two arms that measures angles. As he measured, he read out numbers, which he was recording on his phone. No one had taken those kind of measurements before of my hand.
Here are his notes from the examination (I don't understand most of what he narrated but that's okay):
LEFT HAND: Thickening of the palmar fascia extending to the ulnar aspect of the third finger at the metacarpophalangeal joint, in line with the fourth finger. Additional thickening noted in the first web space. Radial abduction of the left thumb measured at 40 degrees. Metacarpophalangeal contracture of the middle finger of 13 degrees. Other fingers without hyperextension. Full flexion achieved.
RIGHT HAND: Thickening of the palmar fascia in line with the ring finger and extending toward the third finger. No palpable Dupuytren's in the first web space. One nodule proximal to the metacarpophalangeal flexion crease of the index finger. Right fifth finger hyperextends to 20 degrees at the metacarpophalangeal joint. Proximal interphalangeal joint of the fifth finger at 20 degrees of flexion, passively extensible. Index and ring finger proximal interphalangeal joints at 15 degrees of flexion, both passively extensible. Full flexion achieved.
Dr. Drukker told me that he wouldn't have recommended radiation on my left hand unless I was a younger person with more years ahead of me. Why not radiation at my age? I need to ask that follow-up question.
I agreed to discontinue using the Verapamil gel. It seems to make both my hands ache and burn slightly. I will return in three months for more measurements.
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