Tuesday

April 8, 2025

    2 down, 23 to go. 

    I started today at the dermatologist office.  It was supposed to be a follow-up appointment to check on how I'm progressing since they first found the merkel cell carcinoma. Since that happened, my dermatologist left the practice for a new one in Sacramento, and I met with a new dermatologist today. As such, he decided to make it a full examination.  

    Nothing new was found.  I had a couple of spots frozen on my head and face, typical for one of my visits, but nothing suspicious was discovered. He shared a few sobering tidbits during the exam. 

    *It was fortunate that I decided to have the "cyst" removed or I might not be standing there today.

    *They take merkel cell very seriously and I will be seeing him every three months, too.

    *Most people who get merkel cell don't live very long because they didn't get it treated soon enough. Its first appearance is usually innocuous, and people don't think it is important enough to get it check out.

    He also shared a very gratifying piece of information.

    *I couldn't find a better treatment facility than UCI. 

    So, it was nice to get affirmations that God was definitely looking after me when he put it on my heart and in my head to get the original "cyst" removed, and He blessed me with UCI and Dr. Tran to be my cancer team. 

    My first treatment on Monday took a little longer than the rest will because they were making sure I was going to be lined up correctly. The procedure is similar to an MRI, CAT scan, or PET scan. The room has a table that you lie on and a machine at the end that you are put inside. The two biggest differences are that you are settled into your mold on the table to make sure you don't move and are lined up correctly, and instead of a tube, the machine is more of a claw with four different fingers.  Another difference, the machine moves around you and the table to get itself in position. I'm lying on my back, holding on to a rubber ring to keep my hands and arms out of the way (the first day took long enough I almost fell asleep). Today was shorter in duration, but the radiation doses were longer.  There were two, and I counted them both to be around 40 seconds (there is a buzz when the radiation is being administered).  I couldn't help wondering how different, or similar, my experiences are from that of my father's, who had radiation treatments for his skin cancer in the late 60's. 

    I didn't feel anything either day during the procedure, but today the area did feel tight as I was walking out, and for a while driving home.  It is recommended to keep the area moisturized while undergoing treatment, at least three times a day.  Tomorrow is the day the radiology oncologist is in the building so it will be interesting to hear what he will have to say. 

   I remember my 6th grade students having a writing prompt once that asked them to think of a modern-day appliance or invention that they wished they didn't have to use. It was a difficult concept for them, so I tried to help by giving them my topic... modern medicine.  I'm very grateful it's available to me, just wish I didn't have to use it. Thank you, God, for trained doctors and amazing medical machines. 

1 Chronicles 16:34

    Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His love endures forever.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

    give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

James 1:17

    Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

    

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