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.

An Exciting Link Coming Soon!


I said soon, not now.

But let's have a glossary here.  Every subculture has its own jargon, and chronic illness patients are no exception.  If I've used a term or an acronym or TLA (a Three Letter Acronym - get it?) , let me know -- I'll try to put it in plain English for you.

Right now, here's my starting list:
  • PET - Positron Emission Tomography
  • MCC - Merkel Cell Carcinoma
  • met - Shorthand for "metastasis"
  • chemo - Chemotherapy
  • RT - Radiation treatment
  • metastasis - When a cancer moves from its original, primary site to another usually unrelated part of the part of the body e.g. a skin cancer can metastasize to the liver.  It's still skin cancer, it's just moved on to your liver.
  • FNA- Fine needle aspiration.
  • CT scan - Computerized Tomography scan.  Also called a CAT scan.
  • CAT scan - Computerized Axial Tomography
  • SLNB - Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
  • Apathy (with a capital A) - the state of mind which allows you to concentrate on only the aspects of life you can actually, directly control.

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