Lack of Sleep
For some reason, I had trouble getting to sleep last night; that coupled with fatigue from the radiation and I have been pretty sleepy today. I may have found my first real side effect of the treatment, too (oh how exciting): I have some kind of rash on my stomach. Now, the radiologists did say that I may develop a “sunburn” where the radiation hits my body… I’ll show to Dr. Kauh (oncologist) and Dr. Landry (radiologist) next week and see what they think. It doesn’t hurt, per se, it’s more just sensitive to touch (kinda like if you were to rub your skin a lot all in the same place).
On the off chance that some of you felt that perhaps I was too serious in the image I shared yesterday, I wanted to share this image with you as well. The hat was given to me by Cathy, a friend through a mutual acquaintance. The hat serves dual purposes: (a) It was the hat Cathy wore when she went with her son’s boy scout troop on trips (so it’s got good scout mojo) and (b) it helps keep the sun off my head and neck (not that the redneck look isn’t in down here in the south, but…besides, Dr. Kauh did say that the chemo would make me photosensitive, so it’s better to be safe than sorry).
Someone suggested yesterday that I look into having “Merle’s Not Dead Yet!” t-shirts made, but I’m not sure that there would be enough of you with that kind of sick sense of humor to wear it. 
Know that I’m hanging in there; keeping the faith; being of positive spirit; and gathering the positive thoughts / prayers / energy / love. Thank you for all that you do in support of me. In particular, I want to thank my brother, Sid, his wife, Susan, and their neighbor, Cherie, who, as I type this, are participating in a Relay for Life up in New Jersey, in part, dedicated to my father and myself. I know my illness has been particularly difficult for my brother (having to deal with both my father and my battling cancer) and I wish there were something I could do to help reduce his pain / sadness. Know that I’m there with you in spirit, Sid! Thank you for YOUR love and strength (and for agreeing not to pull my pants down again until I reach my 5-year survival date — April 23, 2013)!
Cheers,
Merle
Sid or Diney as my family knows me. And the number was at least two too many! Like an older brother, however….I am looking forward to 4/23/2013.
Forwarding pictures to Merle tomorrow.
Love ya Merle!
Count me in…..I will wear your “Iam not dead yet” shirt….