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Friday, July 2: I plan to work in the morning.<br />
Tuesday, July 6: radiation treatment begins and probably will last six weeks.<br />
Posted by docshu at 11:23AM (-07:00)<br />
Radiation Planning<br />
Saturday, July 24, 2010<br />
Monday, June 28, 2010. Today was a set up appointment for my radiation therapy.<br />
Everything was done very efficiently. I was placed on a simulator table which is actually a<br />
CT scanner and some images obtained. They use a mask which goes over your head<br />
which is not unlike fencers mask. It is warmed up and softened and then placed over your<br />
head, pressed into position, and then cooled so that it retains its shape. This allows them<br />
to keep you in the proper position during radiation treatments. Treatments will start on<br />
Thursday, July 8 and continue for six weeks, ending, ironically, on my birthday, August<br />
18, 2010. I will celebrate my 70th birthday by ending radiation treatment. We reviewed all<br />
the complications which are possible and the precautions to take. The most annoying<br />
probably will be the need to gargle and rinse my mouth about five times a day <strong>with</strong> a<br />
mixture of salt and baking soda and water. Treatments will only take about 15 minutes<br />
and I should be in and out <strong>with</strong>in half an hour. Every Monday, there is what they call a<br />
stat session which will involve reviewing my progress <strong>with</strong> the radiation oncologist. On<br />
the first Monday after treatment begins, we will also meet <strong>with</strong> the dietitian. Dietary<br />
restrictions expected will be as follows. I'll not be allowed to have anything which is too<br />
acidic, nor foods which are crunchy and which might tear the mucosa of the mouth. I will<br />
not be allowed to have hot coffee or anything too cold. I'll have to restrict processed<br />
sugars because of the risk of dental caries. I'm still feeling cautiously optimistic, but I<br />
have to say that reading the case histories on the <strong>Merkel</strong> website is quite terrifying. Right<br />
now I am essentially asymptomatic, except for some discomfort at the surgical site.<br />
However I am aware that this is a potentially devastating malignancy which could rapidly<br />
appear in the liver, brain, bone amongst other sites. I hope that I am not spoiling my last<br />
good months by taking the radiation treatments. However I have no choice but to follow<br />
<strong>with</strong> my physicians recommendations as they are the top experts in the field. Some<br />
interesting literature has come to light linking the virus which is involved <strong>with</strong> <strong>Merkel</strong> cell<br />
carcinoma and the Salk vaccine which was used to immunize me against polio.<br />
Apparently many early batches of this vaccine were contaminated <strong>with</strong> the polyamovirus.<br />
Who could have known? I plan to spend some my time in the future writing a separate<br />
blog which will basically be my memoirs. In the meantime, I feel that I am coping very well<br />
<strong>with</strong> my current circumstances.<br />
Posted by docshu at 11:30AM (-07:00)<br />
Pre Radiation<br />
Saturday, July 24, 2010<br />
Wednesday, June 30, 2010.<br />
I have a dentist appointment at nine o'clock this morning. I'm nervous about this. If<br />
cavities are found, it is possible that I will need extractions prior to radiation treatment and<br />
in addition, it may change the treatment plan and delay the treatment. Fortunately,<br />
nothing is found. However I will have to return for additional x-rays of my mouth on July 7<br />
at 11 AM.<br />
<strong>My</strong> <strong>Battle</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Merkel</strong> <strong>Cell</strong> <strong>Cancer</strong><br />
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