Norman Cousins had it 2/3 right
Sunday April 29th 2007, 4:39 pm
Filed under: Knit


When my lupus was first diagnosed, I read Norman Cousins’ book, “Anatomy of an Illness,” wherein he recounted dealing with a devastating illness by treating himself to funny movies and the like to make him laugh; you make use of all that the medical community has to offer, but, as the cliche reminds, laughter is awfully good medicine in itself, and he was determined to do the most he personally could to help himself recover.

He went on to add that when anything catastrophically upends your life like that, you need a creative outlet to cope. What that outlet might be is as infinite as humanity itself, but, you do emphatically need a creative outlet.

Reading his book helped propel me back into knitting. He was right about the need for creativity, and right about the laughter.

The last few days, I’ve had three of my kids home, and my nephew and his sweetie visiting (and dearly wishing my oldest and her husband were here to enjoy it all, too); there have been funny stories told, good memories shared, gentle teasings, and much, much laughter.

And all this while I’ve been dealing with a Crohn’s flare. Given that my options for treating Crohn’s are severely limited–steroids don’t touch mine–this is something that can be unsettling to me, to say the least. And yet. There is so much to celebrate around this home, and I’m so glad they’re here right now.

Laughter as an expression of great love: that, that is the best medicine of all. Whether the physical symptoms continue or not, it heals like nothing else can.


4 Comments so far
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Aw, Alison, I’m sorry you are having a flare-up. I have a girlfriend who has Lupus, and watching her go through these is hard – especially the bad ones.

I really enjoyed your post. I am having an operation for an illness I am suffering, and it really reminds me to enjoy all the things around me while I can.

Thank you.

Comment by Amanda1 04.29.07 @ 6:35 pm

I hope you feel better soon! You’re absolutely right about the factor love plays in healing. Laughter is great, too, but love is the best.

Comment by KT 04.29.07 @ 10:24 pm

Flareups of anything are yucky; I hope this one passes and leaves you well.

Much love.

Comment by Kristine 04.30.07 @ 11:16 am

Thank you. I’m doing much better today. It’s a gradual process, but it’s such a relief to be on the mend.

Comment by AlisonH 04.30.07 @ 1:20 pm



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