Many people have never heard of Merkel cell carcinoma, the rare form of skin cancer that took the life of Jimmy Buffet, but Al Copeland, Jr. is very familiar with it
Many things factor into this. Cancer can be very sneaky. Some people, who seem to be 'doomed' - will recover. Some with not such serious a diagnosis, don't. I am very glad that medical research has taken leaps forward for patients now living. And Mr. Buffett, rest in peace - HAS helped raise awareness among many people who have never heard of this type of cancer. THAT at least - is all to the good....
Yes, Jimmy made me go to a dermatologist to check a lesion I have on my side, it is not this dread disease and I feel "relief". Like many I never heard of Merkell Cell, I always thought of skin cancer as Basal, Squamous, or Melanoma, thanks Jimmy and RIP. I previously had both Basal and Squamous cancers and check myself always for any skin lesions!
I had a English Lit professor who told us that he was in the same fraternity as jimmy. jimmy drove them all crazy playing his guitar and singing. he interrupted tv, movies, etc. they threatened him with all kinds of violence but he continued playing and singing. after graduation, my professor was driving to yet another job interview and suddenly he heard jimmy on the radio singing changes in attitude. he immediately knew the voice and the song that he had heard so many times, he laughed to himself and said. well the sucker made it!
Because the cancer had metastasized to his lymph nodes. The doctor in the interview stated that once metastasized, the chemo and immunotherapy had zero chance of working.
well back in the day sun wasn't really around besides zinc. Jimmy is a great loss, but I bet his loss puts a whole new spin on sun protection! 🌞 ☀️ 🌤 🌅sun protection...
