Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/74119
MIND-BODY CONNECTION Laughter is a coping tool to help manage loss, a setback, or a disappointment." PART OF AN INTEGRATED PLAN All jokes aside, Dr. Puckett emphasizes that "we take cancer very seriously at CTCA," describing where laughter therapy fits into the bigger picture of cancer treatment, as a mind-body medicine tool. "It's basically another wellness practice," she says of the modality. "There's a term they use on the World Laughter Tour called 'goodhearted living,' and laughter therapy is a goodhearted-living practice. It's one piece and something that everyone can do." The benefits for patients who choose to participate in laughter therapy can be significant and can offer welcome relief and distraction during the sometimes- challenging road that follows a cancer diagnosis, Dr. Puckett says. "Carol Burnett said, 'Comedy is tragedy plus time.' Sometimes we can look back on things or learn to see the lighter side of something, not because we don't take it seriously but because we need a break from stress. And that's what mind-body medicine is all about—helping people be less stressed while they are going through this journey." Robbie Robinson can attest to the 24 cancer fighters thrive | fall 2012 benefits Dr. Puckett describes. Now, 10 years later, he still relies on the techniques he learned to help him manage the after effects of his treatment, from fatigue to neuropathy-related pain, as well as those "low" moments that he still experiences on occasion. "The first four years after treatment, I had no energy whatsoever. It was very difficult. A lot of times, I woke up and was hurting and fighting depression. It was such a struggle sometimes to keep going through the day. Laughter had a lot to do with keeping my spirits up and helping me believe that I could get to the point where I could have control. But just like anything else, you have to keep applying it. Practicing the laughing techniques can help." In fact, Robbie believes so strongly in humor therapy that he also attended the course to become a Laughter Leader and now leads sessions in a variety of locations, from nursing homes to libraries to schools. "It is one more tool that I can use to help people and myself through this. I just enjoy doing it and seeing other people benefit from it," he says, adding, "It takes so little to do for others, and the return is so much greater than the effort that you put in to help somebody." cfthrive.com