You may ask yourself "how do you, crone ranger, get your daily dose of endorphins?"
On the other hand, you may not.
I like to have at least one really good, belly wrenching laugh a day. Not a titter, mind you. A full throttle rush which usually ends in me losing my breath, coughing. Make that choking. Not always pretty but terribly, terribly therapeutic.
This is one of the funniest sketches EVER written. A five-star piece of comedic lore. My mother & I still invoke the ghost of the waiter & the hungry diner when sitting down to eat.
"The Two Ronnies" are legends of British comedy. Their work is ageless, side-splitting, pee-inducingly BRILLIANT. Not the tits-n-arse usually attributed to Benny Hill (yuk!). This is cleva, cleva stuff. It just gets better with age & is far too fab not to be shared!
I hope the link works ... not yet a twitter, maintaining @ techno-twit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc3M1nppd3c
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Laughter - truly the best medicine
Laughter reduces pain, increases job performance, connects people emotionally, and improves the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain.
Laughter, it's said, is the best medicine. And there's lots of evidence that laughter does lots of good things for us.
It reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort.
It reduces blood sugar levels, increasing glucose tolerance in diabetics and nondiabetics alike.
It improves your job performance, especially if your work depends on creativity and solving complex problems. Its role in intimate relationships is vastly underestimated and it really is the glue of good marriages. It synchronizes the brains of speaker and listener so that they are emotionally attuned.
Laughter establishes -- or restores -- a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection between two people, In fact, some researchers believe that the major function of laughter is to bring people together. And all the health benefits of laughter may simply result from the social support that laughter stimulates.
Now comes hard new evidence that laughter helps your blood vessels function better. It acts on the inner lining of blood vessels, called the endothelium, causing vessels to relax and expand, increasing blood flow. In other words, it's good for your heart and brain, two organs that require the steady flow of oxygen carried in the blood.
At this year's meeting of the American College of Cardiology, Michael Miller, M.D., of the University of Maryland reported that in a study of 20 healthy people, provoking laughter did as much good for their arteries as aerobic activity. He doesn't recommend that you laugh and not exercise. But he does advise that you try to laugh on a regular basis. The endothelium, he explains, regulates blood flow and adjusts the propensity of blood to coagulate and clot. In addition, it secretes assorted chemicals in response to wounds, infection or irritation. It also plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease.
"The endothelium is the first line in the development of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries," said Dr. Miller. "So given the results of our study, it is conceivable that laughing may be important to maintain a healthy endothelium. And reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease."
At the very least, he adds, "laughter offsets the impact of mental stress, which is harmful to the endothelium."
The researcher can't say for sure exactly how laughter delivers its heart benefit. It could come from the vigorous movement of the diaphragm muscles as you chuckle or guffaw. Alternatively, or additionally, laughter might trigger the release in the brain of such hormones as endorphins that have an effect on arteries.
It's also possible that laughter boosts levels of nitric oxide in artery walls. Nitric oxide is known to play a role in the dilation of the endothelium. "Perhaps mental stress leads to a breakdown in nitric oxide or inhibits a stimulus to produce nitric oxide that results in vasoconstriction."
Dr. Miller offers a simple prescription that won't bankrupt you and could save your life. "Thirty minutes of exercise three times a week, and 15 minutes of laughter on a daily basis is probably good for the vascular system," he says.
From "Psychology Today"
Laughter, it's said, is the best medicine. And there's lots of evidence that laughter does lots of good things for us.
It reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort.
It reduces blood sugar levels, increasing glucose tolerance in diabetics and nondiabetics alike.
It improves your job performance, especially if your work depends on creativity and solving complex problems. Its role in intimate relationships is vastly underestimated and it really is the glue of good marriages. It synchronizes the brains of speaker and listener so that they are emotionally attuned.
Laughter establishes -- or restores -- a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection between two people, In fact, some researchers believe that the major function of laughter is to bring people together. And all the health benefits of laughter may simply result from the social support that laughter stimulates.
Now comes hard new evidence that laughter helps your blood vessels function better. It acts on the inner lining of blood vessels, called the endothelium, causing vessels to relax and expand, increasing blood flow. In other words, it's good for your heart and brain, two organs that require the steady flow of oxygen carried in the blood.
At this year's meeting of the American College of Cardiology, Michael Miller, M.D., of the University of Maryland reported that in a study of 20 healthy people, provoking laughter did as much good for their arteries as aerobic activity. He doesn't recommend that you laugh and not exercise. But he does advise that you try to laugh on a regular basis. The endothelium, he explains, regulates blood flow and adjusts the propensity of blood to coagulate and clot. In addition, it secretes assorted chemicals in response to wounds, infection or irritation. It also plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease.
"The endothelium is the first line in the development of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries," said Dr. Miller. "So given the results of our study, it is conceivable that laughing may be important to maintain a healthy endothelium. And reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease."
At the very least, he adds, "laughter offsets the impact of mental stress, which is harmful to the endothelium."
The researcher can't say for sure exactly how laughter delivers its heart benefit. It could come from the vigorous movement of the diaphragm muscles as you chuckle or guffaw. Alternatively, or additionally, laughter might trigger the release in the brain of such hormones as endorphins that have an effect on arteries.
It's also possible that laughter boosts levels of nitric oxide in artery walls. Nitric oxide is known to play a role in the dilation of the endothelium. "Perhaps mental stress leads to a breakdown in nitric oxide or inhibits a stimulus to produce nitric oxide that results in vasoconstriction."
Dr. Miller offers a simple prescription that won't bankrupt you and could save your life. "Thirty minutes of exercise three times a week, and 15 minutes of laughter on a daily basis is probably good for the vascular system," he says.
From "Psychology Today"
Vic on Propofol?
It's nearly 48 hours since Vic's latest surgical intervention. Yesterday, he was full of hope & nervous energy. Having had both a breathing tube as well as an endoscope stuck down him, the soreness of the throat tended to eclipse whether the dilation had worked or not.
He certainly had appetite & ate small ravioli, pbj, nuts, eggs, oddly Doritos which did not irritate ...
When taking one of his nightly capsules in the kitchen while I was outside, he choked so badly, the capsules began foaming out of his mouth, he could neither breathe nor swallow water to force the pill down ...
New house rule: no taking of any medications without having the physical presence of Nurse Mildred Ratched right there, beside patient. The making of eye contact during this new edict as well as the verbal acknowledgement of same was required by stubborn & petulant Victor McMurphy.
Actually, we had a huge "duh" moment this afternoon. Vic had a webconference with one of his VA doctors who posed the very obvious question: "Why aren't you on liquid medications now?"
Jaw dropping moment there. "Why not indeed?"
She immediately ordered all the prescriptions changed & sent priotity.
That was really excellent Martha Stewart "good thing".
No doubt, Vic has reached a very serious stage in his 4 years 11 month fight. His esophagus will begin to close up again. They will not be able to continue the procedures due to his instant inability to breathe during surgery.
This we have been told.
I really do HATE the way some doctors go right to the worst case scenario without a touch of sugar icing thrown in to hide the bitter taste of crushed pills ... the anaestesiologist was quite munificent in his casual anticipation of Vic instantly crashing when sedated, having to flip him over, letting us know there was no antedote to the light anaestetic he would administer ... Vic would have to come out of it himself as no drug can reverse it ... come to find later when I was reading the full report, that drug was Michael Jackson's "milk" - Propofol!
It was the first time I really got scared that it would not be the cancer that would kill him. That there was a really good possibility he could die right there on the table. That day. Thursday September 10 before noon.
Saying "good bye" required a little more sucking in of feelings, an extra squeeze & more confident thumbs up.
Look, it's like this. The tumors are spreading. The chemo, albeit possibly slowing some growth down, has failed in stopping it altogether. The radiation has caused terrible, terrible damage which will continue with time.
He is scheduled for a feeding tube in two weeks. I hope the dilation lasts that long this time.
Yesterday, on my way to school, my mind was simply overcome & overwhelmed by this very unexpected turn of events.
I thought it would be tumors that would be his worst enemies.
Turns out it was the slash-and-burn treatment(s) that won the battles but not the war ...
Neither of us know what to expect & until we meet with the oncologist on the 21st, will just have to put any questions aside.
It is nearly 5 years ago (September 16, 2004) that Vic underwent the emergency appendectomy that changed his & all of our lives ... it has gone by so fast ...
That's life.
Carpe diem.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Pre-surgery poetry
Tis the night before surgery
I am nervous as can be
My husband's a mess
Contemplating a possible tracheotomy.
Since his trachea's eroding
The cartilage's almost gone
A breathing tube in his neck
Is a conclusion that's forgone.
If the dilation of scar tissue
Is not altogether successful
Then a feeding tube in the small bowel
Will be next on the surgeon's schedule.
I am numb
Vic is mad
This is all so surreal
But this time tomorrow
We'll be home -
Time again to heal.
I am nervous as can be
My husband's a mess
Contemplating a possible tracheotomy.
Since his trachea's eroding
The cartilage's almost gone
A breathing tube in his neck
Is a conclusion that's forgone.
If the dilation of scar tissue
Is not altogether successful
Then a feeding tube in the small bowel
Will be next on the surgeon's schedule.
I am numb
Vic is mad
This is all so surreal
But this time tomorrow
We'll be home -
Time again to heal.
Monday, September 7, 2009
K's Cactus Encounter - an homage to maintaining ones humor even when as one is losing ones pants
I discovered early morning hiking on my annual Sonoran escape. The awakening desert thrilled me with its subtly shifting shades of morning sunlight.
The flora and fauna captivated me. I did my best to keep up with the group, nevertheless stopping long enough to just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
As the group trekked down an arid, stone-slippery section of trail, it happened.
Just like that. In an instant.
A slight misstep. A slip over a couple of loose pebbles. A hand goes out to break the fall. Down goes the rest of me.
I get up - no worries. Nothing broken.
And then ... Enter a hundred tiny, fuzzy pricks - right up my amply padded arse!!!
Edward. Eddie. My Eddie. Eddie, the Man. What can I say? Here was a professional, totally committed to my well being. To taking care of me. Valiantly, he came to my first aid, armed with cheater specs & tweezers.
Eddie. The ultimate survivor man. Hard at work. On my butt. Oh dear G-d, did he have to have his face so close ... I just kept reminding myself that I had given birth 3 times & nothing can humiliate me anymore ... well, not much ...
His dedication to alleviating my pain & sufforing was selfless beyond believe. Talk about committment to getting the pricks out, one by one by one ...
The more he tweezed & tugged at the highly offensive, brittle spines, the more the little buggers revealed themselves, hiding not only in the weave of pants ... but also underneath, inside my black knickers as well!!!
And it just got better & better!
The sun had long risen but so had the moon - again!!! One valuable lesson I must share: when out on adventures that involve any proximity to cacti, wear dark colors (over & under) as it is the only way to espy their pesty little, protective pricks.
Many thanks to Kelley Warnol, her 20/20 vision & her ultra sharp nails. Her hanging back from the walking pack was my great fortune & we laughed & laughed & laughed!!! It has made for a brilliantly hysterical memory of an otherwise extremely prickly situation.
The flora and fauna captivated me. I did my best to keep up with the group, nevertheless stopping long enough to just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
As the group trekked down an arid, stone-slippery section of trail, it happened.
Just like that. In an instant.
A slight misstep. A slip over a couple of loose pebbles. A hand goes out to break the fall. Down goes the rest of me.
I get up - no worries. Nothing broken.
And then ... Enter a hundred tiny, fuzzy pricks - right up my amply padded arse!!!
Edward. Eddie. My Eddie. Eddie, the Man. What can I say? Here was a professional, totally committed to my well being. To taking care of me. Valiantly, he came to my first aid, armed with cheater specs & tweezers.
Eddie. The ultimate survivor man. Hard at work. On my butt. Oh dear G-d, did he have to have his face so close ... I just kept reminding myself that I had given birth 3 times & nothing can humiliate me anymore ... well, not much ...
His dedication to alleviating my pain & sufforing was selfless beyond believe. Talk about committment to getting the pricks out, one by one by one ...
The more he tweezed & tugged at the highly offensive, brittle spines, the more the little buggers revealed themselves, hiding not only in the weave of pants ... but also underneath, inside my black knickers as well!!!
And it just got better & better!
The sun had long risen but so had the moon - again!!! One valuable lesson I must share: when out on adventures that involve any proximity to cacti, wear dark colors (over & under) as it is the only way to espy their pesty little, protective pricks.
Many thanks to Kelley Warnol, her 20/20 vision & her ultra sharp nails. Her hanging back from the walking pack was my great fortune & we laughed & laughed & laughed!!! It has made for a brilliantly hysterical memory of an otherwise extremely prickly situation.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
A few thoughts on this well known poem ...
This poem is plastered on the wall of every single oncology office waiting room, not to mention chemo & blood letting rooms. It predominantly overlays a picture of a solitary butterfly, usually a Monarch. The image then seduces one down the yellow brick road marvelling at the majesty of natures ability to transform. Metamorphisis.
Cancer is so limited
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the spirit.
What does the Peanut Gallery have to say about this?
BULLSHIT!
Over time, it can do each & every single one of those things. It is insidious, persistant.
It is the cellular "BORG".
It studies, consumes its victims. It becomes a total parasite, a very possesive mistress. It makes you shiver when it is a hot, humid tropical day. It makes you crave the sugars upon which it blossoms.
You should have guessed. Vic's latest scans are not good. The chemo may have slowed things down but tumors are lighting up throughout his chest area like the proverbial Channuka tree (bite me for that!). Wow, that lymphatic system is effective.
Here, someone, please. Take a cricket paddle & whack me across the other side of my head.
I need something to balance out my level of disappointment.
Perhaps a hearty scream & some meditation may hit the spot.
Or some Xanax & .25mg melatonin ...
Good night ...
Perchance to dream ...
on optical illusions ...
Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
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