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Strong Spirits Survive: How Laughter Improves The Patient Experience
Ive never had cancer. But I can't tell you how many times I begged God to let me bear that burden. My son, a strapping 22-year-old junior at the University of Missouri, woke up with an aching chest that turned out to be a malignant tumor. Hes only a boy, I pleaded. Ive had a great life. Let it be me"not him.
I can't even describe that time in our lives accurately. It went by in a blur -- and not the fast paced blur you enjoy while you rocket along the roller coaster's tracks, but a confusing, often terrifying inability to really understand and deal with what was going on. There were months of chemo. He had surgery. His hair fell out. The boy who could empty a refrigerator in the blink of an eye now wouldn't eat -- everything tasted metallic, and he had no appetite. And through it all, we wondered: would he ever have a girlfriend, a family, a life...
For two decades, I'd studied, written and spoken about the therapeutic values of humor. It was time to walk the talk. It was tough. I won't kid you. Being funny can be hard work. At times, we had to make a conscious effort to laugh. And yet sometimes, if we would just let it"it would just happen. Humor was a saving grace for all of us.
Sorrow has its hour. There were many tears. But joy has a claim as well, and there was laughter too. Lots of laughter.
My son has always been lucky in his friends. David's roommates provided him with great support and camaraderie, dubbing him "Captain Cancer" -- the superhero no one wants to be. One roommate, an artistic red-headed color blind Italian, begged to decorate my son's newly bald head with colorful markers.
He also found support at work. He worked as a bouncer at a local bar. The man he worked the door with was known as Tonto, and my son was The Lone Ranger. Following one of his treatments, a bunch of his buddies visited the bar. Afterward, David announced his new nickname, bestowed by his friends: Chemo-sabi!
Allen Klein, author of The Healing Power of Humor, surveyed patients who were terminally ill, about the use of humor. About 80% of them wished for more humor"from their caregivers, and the freedom to use humor themselves.
Humor can be used proactively, to help heal both the body and the spirit. To do this, you can:
PLAY: Create your own personal play list. A personal play list consists of ten low or no-cost items that are fun for you. When you're not feeling well, do something from the list. Don't wait until you feel better to play -- playing makes you feel better.
Have props on hand: Magic 8 balls, silly toys, whatever makes you grin. This can jump start the play.
Collect: Collect funny books, magazines, movies and cartoons. Write down funny or embarrassing stories people tell you. Seek out jokes and funny stories. Take at least 15 minutes a day enjoying your collection.
Choose to surround yourself with people who share your appreciation of humor. The world is full of serious, downbeat folks who view the world through mud-colored glasses. Leave them alone, as much as possible: that type of mood is contagious, and you don't want to catch it! Ask people to make you laugh -- and do your best to make them laugh. Surround yourself with joy as often as possible.
By the way, David has been cancer free now for 4 years. Hes engaged to be married next month. His courage, his gentle spirit and his sense of humor"hes my hero.
About the Author Learn more about the healing power of humor by visiting Karyn's website. And if you're looking for hysterical nursing humor make sure to check out the Journal of Nursing Jocularity
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