Welcome to Cancer Chat Raretez although I'm sorry about your diagnosis.

I've had a quick look through the forum and found that [@rhi.rhi]‍'s dad was diagnosed with this a few months ago so fingers crossed they'll pop by for a chat now I've tagged them in this post.

Do feel free to join in on other discussions you find about Merkle Cell Carcinoma on the forum when using the 'search forum' option in the blue bar above as our community are very supportive and will do all they can to help.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Raretez! My dad was diagnosed with Merkel Cell earlier this year. I'd never heard of it prior and it does seem to be very rare! How are you?

Hi Rhi Rhi, how is your dad doing?

My best friend has been diagnosed with MCC on Monday! Im looking for ways to help, advice etc he is not very tech savvy (luckily as well, and won't be googling things) but im wanting to know what I can do to be of the most help.

Is he going to feel colder with treatment etc he has just tuned 50, he is bald anyway but I'm thinking warm hats etc.

or you able to provide any advice or what we can do for him going forward. (Bare in mind he leaves 79 miles away From me and my financial resources are limited)

So far we're going to do PIPS tommorow, phone Macmillan for help with transport costs etc as he lives in the middle of nowhere.

just anything you think could help. Sending my love to your family.

James

Hi James! 
 

I'm sorry to hear about your best friends diagnosis and wishing him all the best with his treatment. My Dad is doing very well - he had a short cycle of chemo and radiotherapy and is now having immunotherapy and his tumours are continuing to shrink. He coped with treatment well - he is also in his 50s! When he was having radiotherapy he stayed in 'The Clan' which was a charity for free accommodation so he didn't have to travel daily, might be worth looking into something like that so he can just concentrate on resting inbetween. It's a difficult time to have cancer with covid - my dad goes on walks with McMillan sometimes to chat with other men with cancer so he doesn't feel alone. McMillan were so good for advice without harassing his consultant. My biggest advice is - don't read about it on google - easier said! It put the fear in me and I didn't think I would have 6 months with my dad and here we are nearly two years on and shrinking tumours. Stay positive x