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Humor: A Powerful Coping Aid

By Sister Mary Christelle Macaluso, R.S.M., O.F.N., Ph.D.

To learn more about Sister M. Christelle, see information below.

George Bernard Shaw wrote "Life does not cease to be funny when someone dies, as it does not cease to be serious when people laugh." I would modify this by saying "Life does not cease to be funny when someone has cancer, as it does not cease to be serious when people laugh." Dr. Bernie Siegel, a cancer surgeon wrote "Show me a patient who is able to laugh and play, who enjoys living and I’ll show you someone who is going to live longer. Laughter make the unbearable bearable, and a patient with a well developed sense of humor has a better chance of recovery than a stolid individual who seldom laughs."

Research is beginning to show that laughter has health benefits. The mind, body, soul and emotions are not separate from one another, but are in union with each other. Many years ago society believed this, but around the 17th century ideas were propagated which separated the mind from the body. Sad to say, modern medicine developed from this separation concept. Now medicine is slowly returning to the holistic concept (oneness) instead of a dualistic concept (separateness). Dr. Norman Shealy for a presentation made at the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine Symposium in 1993 shared the idea that a person’s attitude is extremely important in influencing brain chemicals which in turn affect the immune system. Research by Dr. Lee Berk of Loma Linda University has shown that laughter increases natural killer cells and antibodies. Laughter activates T immune cells and decreases stress hormones. No one is saying that laughter cures cancer by itself, as cancer is a very complex illness. However, laughter can be used to help strengthen the mind and body. It is a good coping mechanism. Laughter not only affects the body’s immune system, it helps to control pain by causing relaxation, distracting a person from the pain, as well as changing one’s attitude and reducing anxiety.

In order to help cancer patients beyond regular kinds of treatment, some hospitals are developing humor rooms that are often found on the oncology wing. The room is usually colorfully decorated and pleasantly furnished. It has a TV, VCR and funny videos available for viewing. There are humorous tapes, flowers, games, toys (yes, even for adults!), costumes, masks, funny hats, nerf balls, yo-yos, bubbles, funny pens and pencils. The contents of the room are left to the imagination. How about a player piano! Many hospitals can’t afford the space for a humor room. However, many have developed humor carts with many of the above mentioned items. How about watching a Laurel and Hardy, Carol Burnett and Bob Hope movies instead of the soap operas and gloomy daily newscasts? In some hospitals nurses carry humor baskets containing funny items for the patients’ use.

In 1984 Janet Henry authored the cartoon/poem book Surviving the Cure "... a time to laugh."(sic) Janet had cancer. On the last page of her book she wrote, "I have been told that this book breaks new ground. If it has helped one patient, or patient’s family, toward a more positive attitude, it has served its purpose." She knew well that laughter is good for a cancer patient. With each cartoon is a verse by Janet. For example, her verse for mastectomy, "It hasn’t changed my life style, and I haven’t lost my touch. The only thing I find is I don’t skinny-dip as much."

A friend of mine who was a five-year cancer survivor sent out invitations to a dinner commemorating the celebration of life. She had her dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles! She wanted to celebrate in grand style. You may not be able to do so, but celebrate the life you have been given no matter the stage of your cancer.

What does the Bible have to say about joy, laughter and merriment? My interest motivated me to write the book God Knows Best about Joy: Biblical Reflections to Lift up the Heart, which was published in June of 1998 (See below for information on purchasing). Two of my favorite passages are Proverbs 17:22 and 15:30 respectively, "A merry heart does like good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones" and "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart and good news gives health to the bones." Do you know that your immune cells are produced in your bones? Do you know that if you are depressed over a period of time it weakens your immune system? The sacred writers knew long before our health care system did that our emotions affect our health! Some other verses are: Deuteronomy 12:18 "…Rejoice before the Lord your God in everything you do," Psalm 43:5 "...he will make me smile again for he is my God," Ecclesiastes 3; 1,4 "There is a right time for everything. A time to cry; a time to laugh," Psalm 31:24 "So cheer up! Take courage if you are depending on the Lord," Proverbs 15:15 "When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong; when he is cheerful everything seems right." Some New Testament verses are 1 Peter 1:6 "So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here," and John 16:33 "...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrow, but cheer up, for I have overcome the world."

Prayer is so important along with humor. In Genesis 20:17 "Then Abraham prayed, asking God to cure the king and queen and the other women of the household…" Put your faith and trust in God. Cancer can be a blessing if it brings one back to a union with God. We get so busy with our lives that often God gets put on the back burner. Serious illness often makes us ponder where we came from, what are we here for and where are we going. It makes us look at what really matters in life.

Faith, trust, laughter, prayer, sharing, positive attitude and hope are some of the ways you can cope with cancer. The doctors need you to create an environment within that will assist the treatment. Remember that you are partners with all those who are trying to help you.

© Copyright, The Fun Nun, Sister Mary Christelle Macaluso, R.S.M., O.F.N., Ph.D.

The Fun Nun was a full-time professional speaker and member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) who challenged people to live more joyfully, handle stress effectively, and improve their interpersonal skills. Sadly, she recently died of a heart attack. For more information about obtaining her books, tapes, smile-on-a-stick, go to Web Site: www.FUNNUN.com, Phone: 402-399-2474. Address: College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE 68124-2377 USA.