Cancer Fighters Thrive

WINTER 2013

Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.

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HUMOR Why Not Laugh? By Scott Burton H aving faced high-grade osteo- was explaining that before the opera- a world of different things from depres- sarcoma, and tion I had had my very frst prostate sion to cynicism. But laughter was the multiple limb-saving surgeries, exam. He could see how shaken I was only response that, as I used it, helped I have seen the profound imprint—both when I told him, "I had my frst prostate me grow. And there was a byproduct to good and bad—that cancer leaves on exam. Wow!" As he smiled sympatheti- sharing laughter: While loosening up my every person touched by it. Knowing the cally, I stumbled on: "I mean, that was body, easing the fears of others and open- struggle, I have something to say to each a new experience. I'd heard…I mean, I ing lines of communication, it provided of us affected. And in speaking with fel- knew what it was, but…wow. I'd never the most powerful and necessary tool in low survivors and oncology professionals done…" After another pause, I turned fghting any trial in life: a positive attitude. coast to coast, I often hear the same sen- to him and, with genuine concern, said, The other reactions—anger, depres- timents that reinforce this opinion. Yes, "Are they supposed to use a puppet?" sion, suppression and denial—took a lit- cancer is one of the greatest struggles you The laughter from my brother was so tle piece of me with them. Each made me will ever have. Yes, it is a life-and-death real, so genuine and free, it changed the feel just a little less human. Yet laughter issue. And, yes, those you love will suffer, face of all of our conversations through- made me more open to ideas, more invit- too. But in the midst of this life-defn- out the rest of my operations and chemo. ing to others and even a little stronger ing battle, why not allow for laughter? With one fell swoop, that hearty, joy- inside. It proved to me that, even as my It is important to remember that ous laughter cut through the tension body was devastated and my spirit chal- there is not and never will be anything of being in the hospital, of facing can- lenged, I was still a vital human. u funny about cancer, which is why some cer, of my brother's discomfort with feel they can't, or shouldn't, laugh. But watching me go through the ordeal. what is funny—is life. It always has With that laughter I found a way to been. From your frst greeting in the communicate that would both keep world being a smack on the bottom to fears at bay and draw others closer. the fact that time will eventually turn So it is true: Cancer is no laughing you into your parents, life is a wondrous matter; but whether it is cancer or any comedy. In dealing with cancer, life is other trial in life, laughing does matter. different but no less present. So, just as In assessing all the ways I could have there was humor in life before cancer, responded to the diagnosis, the surgeries there can be humor in life during cancer. and the seven months of chemo, laughter chemotherapy I remember the frst time I made was the only one that made sense. I could someone laugh during my one-year have raged. I could have kept to myself battle. My brother was visiting me in and stewed. I could have felt slighted, the hospital after an operation, and I Yes, cancer is one of the greatest struggles you will ever have. Yes, it is a life-and-death issue. And, yes, those you love will sufer, too. But in the midst of this life-defning battle, why not allow for laughter? cheated or abused by life. I could have felt cfthrive.com winter 2013 | cancer fighters thrive 53

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