Merkel Cell Carcinoma: I'd like to hear from others

Roger, glad your side effects are diminishing ! Chocolate is a great place to start tasting! lol.
Penlandrl, hope your SE are manageable. Rest when you can.
I have 8 days done. Enjoying the 2 days of the weekend off. 22 days left. A week was added in my chart. Came to my cabin and going to watch the river flow by today. And go for a walk in the woods. Always good for my spirit.
No headaches this week which has been a blessing and mostly just fatigue. My Dr thinks it more related to my surg which was pretty extensive and not the treatment yet. Treatments are getting easier, less anxiety, just imaging the Lord next to me with his hand on my shoulder…..it helps me. Praying for a good week for you all. ❤️

@leweslad, do you have squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or elsewhere?

Hello Lynn, my taste is slowly returning. I can taste chocolate but not much else. It has been 24 days since the last radiation treatment and most of the side effects are waning. I will be hoping your side effects are minimal. It is not easy to go through, but your positive attitude will certainly help.

Hi Lynn, This round is in R -Axilla (lymphnodes) MMCC has metastasized from my right forearm. The radiation is having more side effects than the last time. More of my core is being affected this time. Starting my 3rd week on Monday. Only 4 weeks to go. I too am finding that the headaches and fatigue are the worst this time. One day at a time, good days and bad. Try to stay positive.

Thanks for your responses. My PET scan was good, thankfully. I have had 3 radiation treatments, was glad to have the weekend off. Mostly just had headaches but Tylenol helped. Some fatigue but pacing myself. Trying to walk 30 min everyday. My dog and I both need it. lol. Roger, has your taste returned? We are trying to eat clean, lots of veges and fruit and protein. No alcohol, sugar, and trying not to eat much processed foods. My daughter sent me lists of cancer fighting foods. Also planning a few fun things to look forward to. Trusting God to get me through it. Traci, is your 2nd round of radiation in a different area? Different side effects? Hang in there, it will go fast.

Rant on my friend and yes there is understanding and support!

I so understand, never have I had anxiety, since I was diagnosed, I started getting anxiety attacks after the first year. I called it going down the rabbit hole.
This cancer is very rare, mine was even more rare because it was not in the upper torso, it was in my left butt cheek and never made it to surface (which is a good thing) I guess.
Every time I have my PET scan and patiently wait for the response. I’m happy it has been negative all this time, I know I’m not out of the woods yet.
I try very hard to stay positive, (do have my breakdowns) just don’t want to stay there too long.
Keep positive.

Hi All,
It's always great to hear about positive feedback from MCC. It can be very difficult sometimes to stay positive with this type of cancer. It is a (sneaky bas#^rd) Sorry!!
Sometimes it gets the better of me. I find that I go through good Days and bad. Yesterday was a bad one. Depression is something I've never had to deal with until now. My first round of radiation went well, no major side effects as it was focused on my right forearm. This time it's more focused on my upper body core and the side effects are a lot harder. (Nauseous, fatigue, headaches,.
I'm done ranting now. This is my only outlet with understanding. Hope everyone has a great weekend. 👍

I wish you a clear scan in March.
Stay positive, I know it can be difficult at times.

I recently completed 25 radiation treatments for Merkel that first appeared on my left cheek under the left eye. Surgery removed the cancer area and one lymph node with Merkel cells. I'm receiving OPDIVO immunotherapy infusions every two weeks and after eight treatments I have had no adverse side effects.
I will have a CT scan in March.
It is good news to hear of your clear PET scan and gives me positive thoughts as to my prognosis! Thanks for sharing!