About a month after the first surgery to remove the cancer lesion from my arm I underwent the second surgery to remove the cluster of lymph nodes under my armpit. I didn't look forward to it but I knew it was necessary. The biopsy of the nine lymph nodes removed this time showed no sign of Merkel Cell present in the nodes. However, upon reading the surgical report there was mention of random Merkel cells present in the tissue that was removed with the nodes. I assume that is the purpose of the current radiation treatments that I'm receiving. The area being radiated stretches from my wrist through my armpit almost to my neck. The objective is to kill any remaining Merkel cells that may be lurking in the tissue. I should say any "malignant" Merkel cells.
Remember the date of 27 April. That was the first appointment day I had scheduled with the VA dermatologist to look at my skin. The second surgery actually took place on April 25! If I had not been concerned enough to press for an earlier appointment it is possible I might have been too late.
I may backtrack in a future post about some things that happened between then and now. For now, I will post the current situation and any news that affects my future with Merkel Cell Carcinoma.
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