Merkel and Me

 Tuesday April 14, 2026     I probably should have written this last Tuesday to recognize that it was the one-year anniversary of the beginning of my radiation treatments. Six weeks of driving to Irvine, Monday through Friday, lay on a table, and have a machine shoot two, 45 second zaps of radiation at my surgical site. I never felt anything, just heard the machine go "buzz." As I've shared, I didn't have any effects for most of the first five weeks, started feeling and seeing the effects during the final week and for about two weeks after. Two of the ladies we know that have been going through breast cancer treatments have both started their radiation treatments in the last week or so. I know they will find it easier than chemo, but they will still need prayers for what it does to the skin and our bodies.  As my radiation oncologist told me, "We are affecting that area down to the cellular level."      My extra colonoscopy was a breeze, one of the bes...

Monday March 30, 2026     Thursday thoughts on a Monday.  Maybe I should come up with a name for everyday of the week and just write whenever: Monday Musings, Tuesday Topics, Sunday Summations, and so on.      It's been an interesting few weeks and another interesting one coming up. Thursday I am scheduled for the surgical colonoscopy (what I'm calling it) to remove a large polyp or two. I had to have an EKG (anybody over 60) and it was nice to know they approved my heart for the procedure. Today I have to get a general clearance from a PCP.  You would think with all of the procedures I've had over the past 15 months they could just considered me good to go.  Nope, check all of the boxes first.  Prep day for the procedure is always a challenge, both in the fasting aspect and then the prep procedure.  Thankfully I was invited to play golf Wednesday morning/afternoon so that will keep me busy.  Just have to remember to stay well hydra...

 Thursday March 12, 2026     Just when you think you've found calm waters... I thought I was going to write today about being done with my year-after checkups, scans, and tests. I did have a dental procedure this week, part two of an implant. It went very well and the dentist did a great job with the anesthesia; I didn't realize when I fell asleep or when I woke up.  From my perspective, I was awake from beginning to end.  I wasn't, but it felt that way. There's been little pain since the Tylenol 3 wore off, and no bleeding. After that, I anticipated a quiet week of relaxing with little on the schedule.      And then... I contacted the colonoscopy specialist my GI wanted me to see. I anticipated there would be an evaluation and assessment appointment and then we'd schedule the colonoscopy. Turns out this doctor only specializes in surgical procedures, and they scheduled me for April 2. My GI had said I should do the follow-up in 3-6 months, but wh...

 Thursday March 5, 2026     It's been a good week.  James 1:17... Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variations or shadow due to change.      Tuesday, I met with Dr. Tran, my surgical oncologist.  She reviewed my CT and PET scan and outside of a kidney stone, everything came back clear, no signs of metastasis anywhere. She said the site looks good and I'm right where I should be. Again, because of the potential seriousness of merkel cell she is going to keep a close eye on me for another year. Check-ins every 4 months and CT and PET scans every six. Once we pass the two-year mark, we can start checking in and testing once a year.      Wednesday, I met with my gastroenterologist to discuss my colonoscopy results. We've been together for over 15 years now. As I shared, I was more inflamed than I had been previously, but not as bad as I've been in the past....

 Thursday February 26, 2026      Anniversary day. One year ago, I had my surgery to remove the cancer from my backside. I'm meeting with Dr. Tran next week, but she called me today to talk about the CT and PET scan (more on that in a minute).      My last post shared that Cathy and I were going to the Marriage Event at our church. Over 250 couples came and enjoyed a great dinner, a couple of fun games, and a fantastic message from Pastor Bobby on Malachi 2:14, "The Wife of your Youth." Saturday, we went to Las Brisas in Laguna Beach for Valentine's lunch. Not only is Las Brisas where we had our first date, but we also had our engagement date, and our first lunch as husband and wife there. It all started 21 years ago on March 6th.      I had 5 different doctor's appointments and/or procedures the past two weeks. It started with a blood test for my hematologist checking on my iron levels. It's better than last time so we are going to monit...

 Friday February 13, 2026     Friday the 13th but nothing scary going on here. I just received the results of my blood test, and it came back with another 0. Never any guarantees, but a year's worth of zeros I think means that my cancer was confined to the one spot and my surgeon, and the radiation, got it all. There are still tests to go and another year to monitor, but lots of reasons to feel confident and hopeful.      Now, on the other hand, my colonoscopy was another test/procedure that is going to lead to more tests and procedures.  I was more inflamed than two years ago (even though my condition has never been more under control) and there were polyps. Because of my situation, my GI wants me to see a specialist at UCI and undergo another colonoscopy in 3-6 months where he will check things out and remove anything that looks fishy. I'm not overly worried because there is no rush to get this taken care of. My GI said we will talk about it at my ap...