Settling down…
Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to “voice” your support via leaving messages. I really do appreciate it when I see that someone has taken the time to write.
Today seemed to be a bit better than yesterday. Perhaps my body is adapting a little. My doctor’s told me that the first couple of weeks would be okay (little to no discomfort), the second two weeks, I would start to feel yuckier and yuckier (mild to moderate discomfort), and the last two weeks, I would feel pretty crappy (moderate to more than moderate discomfort). We’ll see how well the doctor’s predictions hold.
In the meantime, I’ve been sleeping more than I have recently (several friends are trying to get me to accept that naps are good — but I don’t nap!) and have been using compazine to help with the nausea (not to mention ginger ale and ginger snaps). According to Healthsquare.com:
Compazine is used to control severe nausea and vomiting. It is also used to treat symptoms of the mental disorder schizophrenia, and is occasionally prescribed for anxiety.
Somehow it just seems amusingly appropriate that a drug used to control nausea/vomiting is also useful for schizophrenia. 
I have commented elsewhere in this blog that several of my colleagues (friends, family members, various store clerks with whom I have interacted) sometimes just do not get my sense of humor. It was a mixed vote among my siblings and mother about how “funny” my “I’m Not Dead Yet” t-shirt actually was. Thus, imagine my amusement as I read Lori Hope’s book, “Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want you to Know”
Tumor humor is similar to gallows humor and represent an attempt by people with cancer (and those who are close to them) to deal with the stress of the disease through (often morbid) humor. A good example occurred while I was in the chemo bay on Monday. Midway through his treatment, the gentleman in the chair next to me (who seemingly was there for longer than I), sat on the edge of his chair, looked at the three other people in our little portion of the bay and said, “Well, I guess you’re wondering why I called you all here today.” He then proceeded to tell the nurses (and anyone else who would listen) that the 3 of us (in the ‘pod’ with him) were rowdy and could he please get another chair with more quiet neighbors. I liked that gentleman immediately and I hope I can learn from his example.
With that in mind, and my odd sense of humor, I offer the following humorous presentation (click the image or this link):
OMD,
Merle
Just wanted you to know that I think your sense of humor is wonderful. I’ve been told I have a ‘sick’ sense of humor…and I’m not ill! Remember, your entire Scouting family has you in their prayers!
In Josh’s words: Flippin’ hilarious!!
my vote is funny…..a good way to deal with this tough situation.
I know we’re basically acquaintences, but my family has been keeping up with your blog and we’re keeping you, MaryBeth, and the kids in our most positive thoughts and prayers. And thanks to your blog, we now want to re-watch every Monty Python…feel free to join us, we all share the same sense of humor.
omg – i have such “post” anxiety (is it funny enough? ironic enough? memorable enough?)…so after way too many ‘type, delete, start again’ affairs, we’re just going to have to settle with this:
great to hear that today was better than yesterday. when my friend was going through chemo (testicular cancer), we would eat fresh guacamole and watch movies all day – very yummy and I highly recommend it.
Big hugs!
You know your humor suits the Heidrichs. I just hope ours suits you as well. We love you lots!
Hi Merle, I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy reading your blog. It’s like picking up a good book. Tonight I had three days worth to read. How exciting! Thanks for sharing.