My Battle with Merkel Cell Cancer

I hope that my dad is well enough to post for himself soon, but while we wait for that I will
do my best to take his dictation.
I know I led off with this, but it is important enough to repeat: My dad is truly appreciative
of all of the support.
He has his iPhone with him and is reading email at times when his concentration is good.
He may not have time or the concentration to reply to emails, but rest assured that they
are reaching him.
-- Gary Shuster
Posted by Gary Shuster at 10:22PM (-08:00)
It's Heavy
Friday, March 02, 2012
My dad has spent the last 12 nights in the hospital. The urgency of the first days has
given way to a different world where the hours, days, nights, even weeks seem to run
together.
As much as we try to empathize with others, we never really know what they are feeling
or thinking. I do know what my dad has seen, heard, and had done to him since coming
to the hospital. I've taken a photograph of the view my dad has had continuously for the
past ten days. We've taken time to decorate the wall for him with the pictures we think he
would most like.
The view from my dad's hospital bed.
On the left is a group shot (taken on the cruise in December). On the right is a grid of
photos, arranged as follows:
[Eva] [Sara] [Sammie]
[Bel] [Eli]
[Family] [Rocky]
Eva is my oldest daughter (now 11); Sara is my middle daughter (now 4); Sammie is my
brother's daughter (turned 4 a few days ago); Bel is my youngest daughter (now 2); Eli is
my brother's son (now 1). Rocky is my parents' golden doodle. Along the bottom of the
My Battle with Merkel Cell Cancer
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