July 2007 eNewsletter

Can laughter really ease the pain of cancer and boost the immune system? Scientists at Stanford University used imaging technology to monitor the NAcc (nucleus accumbens), an area of the brain. Monitoring people who laughed at newspaper cartoons, the NAcc lit up like a light bulb, indicating intense nerve activity. The study showed that laughter, humor, chuckling inwardly and a positive mental outlook can reduce the need for pain medication, fine-tune the body's immune defense system, help people resist disease and battle disease faster. Read those comics daily!

If you work with someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, offer to donate one of your vacation or sick days to the cancer patient to use as a day to recover from their treatments. Go in together with several co-workers until you have a full week of vacation days that can be offered to your friend. They will relish the time off work to catch up on sleep, recover from chemotherapy or simply relax and enjoy a much-needed break. On the day off that you donate, send flowers to the cancer patient and a cheerful note wishing them a wonderful day.

To cancer patients:

If co-workers ask, "What can I do to help?", suggest the donation of a vacation day to help you improve your mental health as well as the physical. A day playing hookey may be just what the doctor prescribed!

"You can not deal with the most serious things in the world unless you understand the most amusing."

-- Winston Churchill

For thousands of years, ginger has been used to treat ailments ranging from the common cold to nausea and chronic pain. Scientists believe the active component gingerol is the power behind the plant's perks. Researchers at Hormel Institute have focused on gingerol's ability to seek out and destroy cancerous cells while leaving healthy ones untouched. Enjoy the flavor of fresh ginger in cookies, stir-fry, soups or even tea. It's the real zing!

Dear Cancer Club,

A true and funny story: I went to have lunch with several former co-workers at a restaurant in Plano, Texas. This was the first time I'd had lunch with them since I started chemo for ovarian cancer. I was dressed in nice business clothes and wearing my best wig. As I got out of my car, which was parked by the curb outside the restaurant, a gust of wind came around the building and caught my wig. It flew off my head and rolled like a tumbleweed (we know what those are in Texas) across the parking lot, past rows of cars. I chased after it. Each time I stopped to pick it up, the wind caught it again and blew it farther. I finally stomped on it to hold it down so that I could pick it up. It had blown across two driving lanes in the parking lots and past 3 rows of cars. I scooped it up, shook it good to put the curls back in place. I put it on my bald, shiny head, and walked back across the parking lot wondering who had seen me. I was embarrassed at first and checked my appearance in the mirror, but when I thought about how funny I must have looked while chasing that rolling varmint, I laughed until my sides hurt.

BTW: My brother has had in-operable esophageal cancer this year with spots in his liver and lungs. We didn't think he'd make it through during this, but today he is remission for three months now. We are thankful he is doing well, gaining weight, and able again to be active serving as a deacon and singing in the choir again. Praise God! God bless you as you cheer people up and on!

Mildred Pittman, Garland, TX

Dear Cancer Club,

On a Friday night I attended a surprise reception for a friend who earned his doctorate at 75 years of age. We wore name tags to help him recall names and faces. That following Saturday I went to an open house for my second cousin's high school graduation. Upon leaving, a cousin came up to tell me he didn't think he could get use to calling me "Ronny." I told him he didn't have to - he could continue calling me by my family nickname. When I left, I stepped in the restroom and noticed with horror my name tag still on from the night before. I was the only relative guest with my name tag on in all the pictures taken that afternoon! I call that "chemo brain!"

Ronalda Condiff, St. Paul, MN

ABOUT...Headwear etc.? Headcovers, bandanas, wigs, hats and more at Marilyn Robinson's online boutique. Visit www.headwearetc.com or email cmarilyn@headwear-etcom.

ABOUT...God in the Picture: Snapshots from a Four-Time Cancer Survivor's Life By T.Windahl? A powerful and inspirational story - a testament of God's love and faithfulness. $16.95. (952)829- 8818 or visit www.beaverspondpress.com.

ABOUT...Humor Me: America's Funniest Humorists on the Power of Laughter? Sixteen of the country's leading humorists in a delightful collection of stories. $16.05. Call (800)624-4280.

ABOUT...Making the BREAST OF IT: A Cancer Survivor Talks About Reconstructing Her Life with Resilience, Resolve and a Robust Sense of Humor by Laurie Lindsay, RD,LD? $6.95. Visit www.makingthebreastofit.com or call (703) 768-6162.

We hope you've enjoyed this edition of The Cancer Club eNewsletter. If you have a humorous or interesting story about cancer, send it to us at: P.O. Box 24747 Edina, MN 55424-0747 or email us at: Christine@cancerclub.com

Visit us online at www.cancerclub.com

Have a fabulous July. Don't forget to laugh!