Here's what you're in for...


This is a chronicle of my experiences, observations, and feelings as I experience treatment for Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC). The goal is to give anyone going through chemotherapy and radiation for MCC (or any other cancer for that matter) an idea of what to expect. Of course I'm a unique individual just like everyone else, so what happens to me may or may not happen to you. Your mileage may vary.

I'm a pretty reserved guy, so most of these posts will be straightforward, just-the-facts-ma'am entries. I may occasionally get maudlin, but cut me some slack -- I could die from this.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Swamp Draining

It's been mid-April since the blog has been updated and that was by my wife no less. I intended this to be a more or less daily chronicle of my cancer treatment, but as we say here in the South, when you're up to your [butt] in alligators, it's tough to remember that you're supposed to be draining the swamp.

Mid-April was towards the end of concurrent Chemo and Radiation Therapy and the energy and gumption were zapped right out of me. I was doing little more than sleeping.

The end of April, after my last RT, was when I hit bottom; Three and a half months later, that's changed. I feel almost normal now, though still tire easily.

You're probably wondering (you haven't?!) what I've been up to for the last few months so here's a short rundown of what's happened:
  • Lost, then regained nearly all my voice.
  • Lost my hair.
  • Lost the ability to spit (It's important in some social circles!)
  • Nearly lost the ability to swallow food.
  • Lost 25 pounds (no, don't even think of trying this instead of Weight Watchers).
  • Had a horrific skin breakdown where all the electrons kept bombarding me.
  • Learned to appreciate the role of taste in keeping your appetite.
I still intend for this blog to be a guide for the novice cancer victim so he or she will have some idea of what to expect. Future posts will include these topics and more.

Unrelated side note: When I took typing (now called keyboarding) in high school, I was taught to always use a double space between sentences.  Now I've recently learned that good style requires that only a single space separate sentences (I love alliteration!). It's a hard habit to break, but this and future posts will adhere to this new rule.  What do you think? What do you care?

1 comment:

  1. i think 2 spaces between sentences is beautiful, clean, and clear. 1 space is simple-minded senseless fad of fashion. if you don't want sentences, leave out the period and cap—that can be beautiful, too!
    care? i care a whole lot.
    i always love your considerations. marty c, seattle

    ReplyDelete