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40<br />
Below is a photo of Eli, Sammie Mike and Leanna.<br />
Here is a link to photos from Philadelphia.<br />
http://picasaweb.google.com/radocshu/PhiladelphiaOct2010#<br />
I was presented at Tumor board at St Agnes Medical Center in Fresno. I learned of this<br />
when my oncologist, Marshall Flam called me and asked if I wanted to attend. Of course,<br />
being out of town, I could not.<br />
Dan Stobbe also called and offered to take notes. Here are extracts from those notes.<br />
Not much new info from tumor board. Main point I learned was from pathologist, that<br />
these tumors are C-KIT positive on staining; that raised question of whether any possible<br />
relapse might be treated effectively <strong>with</strong> Gleevec. Nobody seemed to know of any<br />
literature re: that, might be good question to ask your doc at U. Wash. (I will ask. I see Dr<br />
Nghiem on Nov 30) Concensus was that local treatment <strong>with</strong> RT (radiation) was the way<br />
to go. Surgical resection alone higher relapse rate. Unknown if spontaneous regression<br />
of primary (suggested by multiple negative skin biopsies) is a positive prognostic factor or<br />
neutral. Another good question for U. Wash MD. (I asked Dr Nghiem this question and he<br />
had no useful information on this subject.) All agreed that follow up/surveillance <strong>with</strong> phys<br />
exam and PET would be wise. (<strong>My</strong> follow-up PET/CT is to be done just before<br />
Thanksgiving) All wondered/were curious if U. Wash will be drawing repeat circulating<br />
<strong>Merkel</strong> cell studies as surveillance. (I hope so) Back home, Gary met us at the airport<br />
<strong>with</strong> Sara. She gave me such a loving greeting. She is a real sweetheart. Go Giants!<br />
(posted while they are losing game 2)<br />
Posted by docshu at 08:22PM (-07:00)<br />
Six Months After<br />
Wednesday, November 03, 2010<br />
It is now about six months since I discovered my cancer. It appeared suddenly as a<br />
nodule in front of my left ear. After surgery and radiation, I am alive and feel well.<br />
However there are residual symptoms. Taste is not completely restored. <strong>My</strong> mouth<br />
remains dry. <strong>My</strong> teeth have become sensitive. <strong>My</strong> left ear is numb. I have lost weight,<br />
about 15 pounds since May 2010. I was overweight so it is not all bad.<br />
I have appointments for a follow-up PET/CT just before Thanksgiving and will visit Dr<br />
<strong>My</strong> <strong>Battle</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Merkel</strong> <strong>Cell</strong> <strong>Cancer</strong>
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