| For many people being told that they have cancer is | | | | laughter. "It is impossible to laugh and feel stressed at |
| one of the most stressful times in their lives. Just as | | | | the same time. I think laughing brings about release." |
| we think we have everything under control, | | | | If you are feeling stressed you might not feel like |
| something comes along that can shatter even the | | | | laughing. But laughter really is the best medicine. As |
| strongest of wills. | | | | Sara pointed out, it is difficult to laugh and feel |
| Out of the blue, in September 2002, Sara faced one | | | | anxious at the same time! Try it! How do you feel |
| of the biggest challenges of her life - her mother was | | | | when you have a really good laugh? As soon as you |
| diagnosed with breast cancer. Having nursed her | | | | start to laugh, the power of the stress is lessened. |
| mother through her illness, Sara took the step of | | | | I have recently been very involved in setting up a |
| having a mammogram just to make sure she herself | | | | charity, Clowns in the Sky, which supports children |
| was clear. All over Christmas she tried to put it to | | | | suffering from brain tumours. Children with tumours |
| the back of her mind, but she couldn't help worrying. | | | | spend many weeks in hospital undergoing painful |
| On New Year's Eve 2002, she was horrified to learn | | | | treatment and we have found that bringing some fun |
| that not only did she have breast cancer, but that it | | | | into their lives makes a huge difference to their |
| was a particularly aggressive form. Of course, Sara | | | | well-being. If they can laugh, so can you! |
| was very angry at first. She thought, Why me? It | | | | My favourite films are The Full Monty, Bridget Jones |
| would have been better if I hadn't gone for a | | | | and Hitch. Why? Because they make me laugh! |
| mammogram. She was also very scared. She said, | | | | This Christmas we tried out a really funny game. Try |
| When someone says, You have cancer, you | | | | saying "purple sprouting broccoli" with your lips over |
| immediately think you're going to die. I have to wait | | | | your teeth; it is almost impossible to do. You will laugh |
| six weeks before my surgery and I have no idea | | | | with frustration that no one can understand you and |
| how I will stay sane until then. What on earth am I | | | | others will laugh at you because you look and sound |
| going to do?" | | | | so silly. Don't worry, everyone including you will be |
| After a few very bleak days, Sara decided she was | | | | laughing! |
| determined not to give in too easily. Her mother had, | | | | Is everything perfect for Sara? Of course not. Her |
| after all, fought the disease, so she, too, could do | | | | initial surgery was successful although she was |
| the same. When she was calm enough to answer her | | | | diagnosed with breast cancer again a few months |
| question What on earth am I going to do? several | | | | ago. The fear that the cancer might return again has |
| answers came to her, as she was walking her dog. | | | | always been the hardest thing for her to deal with |
| Find out as much as possible about breast cancer. | | | | and it is something she thinks about every day. But |
| Talk to other people who have faced similar | | | | she feels much more in control of certain aspects of |
| situations. | | | | her life. She is trying to focus on what she can |
| Be realistic about what she could change and what | | | | change, just a day at a time. She still finds the visits |
| she needed to accept. | | | | to hospital very stressful, but she doesn't allow |
| When Sara opened her eyes and started to believe | | | | herself to dwell on negative aspects of her illness for |
| that she had choices, she was amazed at the | | | | too long as she has found it very counterproductive. |
| different ideas that popped into her head. She | | | | Sara didn't have any choice about having breast |
| discovered practical ways to prepare her body and | | | | cancer. She did have choices, however, about how |
| mind prior to her mastectomy and reconstructive | | | | she chose to deal with life each day. |
| surgery. She was able to make a number of choices | | | | You may not be able to influence and overcome |
| in her life, including exercise, changing her diet and | | | | every stressful situation, but you can take charge |
| learning how to chill out with meditation. | | | | over how you respond. |
| By the time Sara went into hospital in February, her | | | | If you are facing a major change and finding life very |
| frame of mind had shifted from a very negative one | | | | stressful, what changes can you make to how you |
| to that of how she could take control of her life. She | | | | view the situation today? |
| said, I can't stop the cancer running through my body | | | | If you want to manage stress in your life, you need |
| but I can change how I deal with it. It's taking over | | | | to begin with yourself. |
| my body but it doesn't have to take over my mind. I | | | | None of us are able to predict the future, but we |
| can control how I deal with it. | | | | can make the present better if we choose to. |
| Sara is certain that her excessive workload, poor | | | | What makes you laugh? Do you have a favourite |
| nutrition and lack of exercise had taken a toll on her | | | | video, a story, a joke or a friend who helps you to |
| body and were contributing factors to her state of | | | | lighten up? |
| health. She sees her illness as a new chapter in her | | | | Focus on what you can change and you will start to |
| life rather than the end of it. As well as conventional | | | | feel more in control of your life. |
| medicine, Sara has also discovered the power of | | | | |