Laughter Therapy

Laughter Therapy

I’ve read that “laughter is like changing a baby’s diaper—it doesn’t permanently solve any problems, but it does make things more acceptable for a while.”

And while there’s nothing funny about cancer, I have discovered that every time a person facing cancer laughs, it reminds us that we are still alive, and that is a very good thing. I am a firm believer that we all need to keep—or get—a sense of humor as we walk our cancer journeys.

So if you’re tired of worrying and would like to laugh a little today, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Dorothy, one of those really great people with the ability to make the most out of life’s embarrassing moments even though she lived in cancer’s shadow for many years. I know her funny story won’t permanently solve any problems in your life, but I think it will feel really good at least for a little while to “have your diaper changed”!

Dorothy, a widow nearing eighty and facing recurrent cancer, wasn’t the type of patient who was easily discouraged. In fact, she told me in March 2003 that her surgeon had predicted that she had only three months to live when he had operated on her twenty-eight months earlier!

“I feel I still have work to do. Besides, I don’t have the sense to give in,” she added with a big smile.

And she did not give in. Instead, she fought her disease with the help of new chemo, supportive family, and the healing medicine of laughter. Invariably when she would come into our office, Dorothy would have a hilarious story to share—usually about her wig.

I remember the funniest story she ever told was March 21, 2001—I know the exact date because afterward I ran to my office and wrote it down word for word as best I could remember it. I knew I would never want to forget this one.

Dorothy said that after her last treatment, she felt a little hungry and decided to drive to a nearby restaurant called Claire’s, famous around town for its broasted chicken and fresh peach sundaes. She parked near the door on the side of the restaurant, which had large picture windows for customers to gaze out on the parking lot.

As she stepped out of the car, she felt the elastic in the waistband of her slacks snap. Not wanting her now-too-loose slacks to slide down, she quickly grabbed the waistband with her right hand. As she did, a huge gust of wind came up and—you guessed it—blew her wig right off her bald head.

Of course, Dorothy lunged for the wig but it got away. She did, however, manage to set off the car alarm on the keys she still held in her tightly clenched hand, which also was holding up her slacks.

Picture this: the car’s lights flashing, the horn honking, the slacks still slipping, and the curly, platinum blonde wig still blowing away as Dorothy, a completely bald, five-foot-nine-inches-tall octogenarian, runs across the parking lot.

“I kept frantically trying to punch buttons on the keys to turn off the alarm, but I didn’t want to drop my drawers,” she said. “My wig just looked like a little tumbleweed as it rolled across the parking lot.”

Finally it came to rest against a truck tire, and Dorothy started talking to the wig as she ran closer: “You might as well let me catch you now because if you blow under the truck, I’m crawling under there to get you, and you won’t get away!”

Apparently the wig believed her and stayed put until she could grab it.

She plopped the little tumbleweed back on her head and finally found the right button to turn off her car alarm.

“What did you do then?” I asked when I could get a breath after all the laughter.

“I got in the car, put it in reverse, and drove across town to McDonald’s,” she said. “I may never go to Claire’s again!”

Every time I drive by Claire’s, I smile as I picture Dorothy chasing her wig that day. I imagine there are probably some customers who witnessed the event and still relish retelling the story!

Laughter is good for the body. Science is just figuring that out, but the Bible told us long ago:

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22, NIV

Tomorrow I’ll share some specific ways to strengthen your funny bone, but for today just remember you only need one reason to be happy:

This is the day the LORD has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Father God, help us to rejoice today simply because we’re alive. Let us find joy in life no matter what our circumstances may bring. In Jesus’ name. Amen.