FINDING HUMOR WHEN FACING CANCER
"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere." ~ Dr. SeussEverything has the potential to be funny. Even cancer. You may remember Gilda Radner and her book, It's Always Something. Gilda was great at finding the funny. When facing cancer - or any illness or life challenge - it helps a lot to tap into our inner strength, to hold hope, and to find the funny. Reba McEntire said it well:"To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone."When I shared the news of my breast cancer diagnosis with you last May, I wrote seriously, with backbone strength and wishbone hope about the healing power of love.I'd like to give my funny bone a try today. With joy, here's my story continued:So, with relative grace and ease I had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.During the weeks leading up to surgery, I joked a bit about the silver lining. You know me, always looking for uplifts - uplifting thoughts, uplifting feelings. Without having to pay for elective surgery, I was going to end up with a body "uplift!"Yes, focusing on the positive, I looked forward to having a younger-looking, more perky chest. And I got it. There were other benefits. I could wear tank tops and skinny-strap sundresses without a bra.Well, one day about a month ago, I noticed that the left side was way perkier on the top than the right. A closer look showed that the "natural slope" of the implant on the left was upside down. Somehow, it had spun around.When I learned that happens sometimes if the cavity is a bit large for the implant used, I figured, kind of like "what goes up must come down" that "what spun could spin again." And maybe I could help it.So that's what I did. Or tried. And I did get it to turn. But it got stuck half way. So then I had a whole new look, with the "natural slope" going sideways!The good news is that, somehow during sleep, the implant found its way into proper positioning.The bad news is that, after swimming, it had spun again into the upside-down position.But more good news! If I swam some more, it could spin some more.So now, when I'm done swimming, I check to see...Even perkiness? Yes? I grab my towel. No? Back in for another lap or two or whatever it takes.Hey, I just might get in better shape!You know the song, "I Hope You Dance"? I hope you do. And laugh, too! Today and every day.With hope, love, and laughter, CharlenePS - I've posted a picture of the younger me, when everything was perkier!