Well, I think I just had the best laugh of my life at the doctor's office of all places.

[LuckyCharms]

I'm having a potentially very serious issue that two specialists are trying to resolve.

I had an appointment with one of those specialists this morning. My wife went with me, and I just got home.

The nurse came into the office to update my records before the doctor came in, as per normal. I was pretty depressed and upset about the entire situation to begin with, so I was trying to remain stoic.

The nurse said something to me that set me up perfectly for a humorous response to her. I was getting ready to respond to her, and I looked at my wife who was vigorously shaking her head at me as if to tell me NO NO DON'T FUCKING SAY IT.

Well, I said it (I can't say what it is because DU would not like it).

The nurse just looked at me and said "Oh My God".

I started laughing. She started laughing.

I laughed harder, and tears were running down my face and literally soaking my mask. The nurse started SCREAMING laughing with tears running down her face as well. She was trying to talk, but couldn't. Then she said "I...I...I'll be right back".

She went into the adjoining room, slammed the door, and I could hear her laughing through the wall.

She composed herself after about 3 full minutes, came back into my room, and then the laughing started again for about another minute.

She then told me that she wished she had more patients like me, and that I made her entire week.

I haven't laughed that hard in years (and that's saying a lot, because I laugh all of the time), and in turn, this took away a lot of my anxiety, for which I was grateful.

My wife just rolled her eyes and chuckled, because she is used to my shit.

To sum it up: Laugh as much as you can. I can't believe how much better I feel about everything now. No shit, it's amazing how an uncontrollable laugh can help your dark and fearful emotions.

I hope you all have a nice holiday.

[Wild blueberry]

1. Thank you

Laughter is so wonderful.
Hope your health keeps well. Cheers!

[CincyDem]

2. Great story and I'm jealous that we're never gonna know.

Good luck with it all - hopefully you’ll find more laughs along the way that have you say “damn - this was even better than that day in the doctor’s office with that nurse”.

You’ll say to you wife “Remember that?”…and she’ll just roll her eyes.

[malaise]

5. He could PM those of us who are curious

😀😀😀😀😀😂
Happy Independence Day to all,of you

[MLAA]

10. I could use a bit of that laugh as well, please add me to the distribution list.

[malaise]

12. Bwwaaaaaah

😀😀😀🙁

[Probatim]

14. We'd have to make a chain to share the response - or he'd be PM'ing us for 2 weeks.

[malaise]

15. Hhahahahha

True😀😀

[CincyDem]

41. For you Dirty Harry fans..."I gots to know". Haha.

[Danascot]

63. That's a great idea

Let us know what to do.

Also sign me up for the secret punchline.

[calimary]

68. Well, I happen to be curious! And it takes a lot to offend me.

After all, I went to Catholic school.

[malaise]

69. You too?

[calimary]

71. Yep. A refugee.

Or dare I say - a refuJesus?








Sorry, Lord …

[niyad]

3. Laughter IS wonderful medicine.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

4. My mother used to say laughter is the best medicine and I'm glad it was for you!

[Bayard]

6. You are Lucky indeed!

A good belly laugh is medicine for the soul. Can't you give us a hint?

Be better soon.

[LuckyCharms]

7. I can't because it's a bit offensive...

It's not really that funny, but the situation and timing was perfect so I think that's what made it seem so funny, along with the fact that it is not something you would expect a patient to say.

It also lead to a nice conversation about things in her life, and how awful people can be these days, and how rare it is for her patients to not act miserable toward her.

[Sanity Claws]

8. I want to hear what you said!

I could use a laugh too

[Tumbulu]

9. A dear friend of mine's husband had multiple cancer diagnosis

for which he succeeded in utilizing all appropriate treatments. The treating physicians expected him to make it for 6 months max.

But he also went to an alternative medicine practitioner. Whose treatment plan was to make sure that he had at least one deep long belly laugh every single day. More if possible. In addition to the medical care. Which was actually a very hard thing pull off under the circumstances of treatments. But he did it and lived in relatively good shape for 3+ more years. So, not only did he live longer than expected, but the quality of those years was better.

It was a joy to visit, as he made it his job to find humor and share it.

So, thanks for sharing your story, it brought this good memory up for me.

[2naSalit]

11. Laughter is good medicine...

It's why I gravitate to toons and comedy, both of which we've been depraved for a spell.

[TheRickles]

23. "Anatomy of an Illness" by Norman Cousins (1979) opened a lot of eyes about humor and healing.

[MyOwnPeace]

25. Thank you - I was just about to enter something about Norman Cousins!

He 'rented' old comedies like 'Laurel & Hardy' and laughed daily. Hope it works as well for all!

Remember:

[soldierant]

61. Me too. I guess we'e old.

The Marx Brothers were also high on his viewing list. And he did a few other things, IIRC, tat aren't supposed to work.

But I do feel that meds, foods, supplements, things in the air, metablolize differently in different people. How else can you account for allergies and sensitivities? The placebo efffect is powerful, but I'm not convinced it's responsible for everything credited to it.

[Rebl2]

13. Laughing

like that I believe is a stress reducer in stressful situation. I would guess the nurse feels a lot of stress in her job and you feel stress with your medical condition.

[tiredtoo]

16. Being under palliative care i have a laugh to share.

The nurse who visits me once a month takes my blood pressure and checks my lungs. She also spends a lot of time trying to convince me to go into hospice care. Not ready for this yet. Last visit she was telling me they would provide me with all medications and assistance in anything i need/want. I told her I wanted an erection. Stopped her in her tracks.

[LuckyCharms]

19. Nice! We'd get along well I think.

Hang tough and try to find joy in enjoy everything that you can.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

17. Laughter is indeed good medicine

[SWBTATTReg]

18. Ah, Lucky Charms, I wish you much luck and fortitude in resolving your issues. They do say

that a good healthy belly laugh as you described is worth a whole bottle of meds.

Again, best wishes to you and yours.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

20. This is killing me!

Give us a hint.

[LuckyCharms]

21. You wouldn't laugh.

It's not funny in writing. Trust me, you'd be let down. You REALLY would have to be there to laugh. Plus, it's offensive.

[RVN VET71]

27. As the poet said:

Heard melodies are sweet/
But those unheard are sweeter still!

[LuckyCharms]

54. SO TRUE

I typed out what I actually said, and it's really not funny in writing, but it was perfect for the situation.

So I'm not going to say what i said, because now I'm embarrassed!

[Captain Zero]

75. Joni Mitchell sang:

"Laughing and crying, you know it's the same release."

[jamesatemple]

22. I'm 82 years old and nearly deaf.

Last year I had cataract replacement surgery done. My right eye was first to receive the surgery and I was being prepped by a delightful nurse before I was taken to the surgeon. She was quite comely, cheerful and had a great personality. When she was about to leave my area, she asked if there was anything else I needed. When I answered, "A shot of Jack Daniels would be nice". She chuckled and replied, "I don't get off work until 5:00 p.m."

Now, old folks who have a greatly reduced hearing have a tendency to speak much louder than is required for others to hear. As she turned to leave, I mumbled (quietly, I thought), "Man, if I were 50-years-younger...". She didn't look back but burst out laughing. I could hear her quite well for a short time as she went on to other duties.

[usonian]

24. Let me guess.

The nurse asks you "Do you have mutual climax?"

(consult with wife and reply to the nurse ... )

No, we have Blue Cross.

[erronis]

43. Great. How about Mutual Cross?

No, not very funny.

But the best time for telling a joke is when it's not expected. And some people can't tell them without offending the others.

[Tree Lady]

26. Laughter really is the best medicine

I don't laugh as much as I use to either, no real reason. Yesterday I read this article about a company that is seriously going to start testing flying cars to be sold starting in a few years.

Tons of comments after the article each one funnier than the next, like you I laughed and laughed.

Hubby and I still making jokes about it this morning on our walk, one person said bad enough you worry someone could drive into your living room, now they will plop down on you in your bed, too which someone replied well at least you would never know and sleep through it!

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

28. My brother

He had AIDS in the 80’s. During this terrible illness, he badly sprained his ankle and was sent for an x-ray. The doctor, looking at his records told him that due to the multiple ankle sprains he’d had, that he would probably end up with arthritis in both ankles when he was old.

“Gosh,” he said. “I sure hope so.”

[Hope22]

46. Great one!

My grandfather was answering the questions before his surgery for pancreatic cancer. The question was, do you think this surgery will improve your sex life? His answer…oh I hope so!! The nurse laughed so hard! We all did.

Your brother sounds like such a good sport. Great memory! Love to you. 🙏💗

[leanforward]

29. I've gotten in trouble, laughing or chuckling in serious situations. .

Enjoyed all of the above . .
Let's add "who's on first, . . . "
"that is all"

[sarge43]

34. "What does a yellow light mean?"

Mine: Last physical therapy appointment the therapist tied my legs together with one of those big rubber bands to test leg strength. He asked if I were ok and I answered "Yes, but just in case my safe word is 'apples'. I thought he was going honk up a lung laughing.

[cilla4progress]

39. Thanks for the laugh!

[orleans]

64. that's funny. but there goes my desire to have a slice of apple pie for dessert.

just kidding. i don't have pie. or "apples"

[LiberalFighter]

30. A time to remember and enjoy.

[Pluvious]

31. Thank you for sharing, this reminded me of my father...

Who fraught off cancer for six years after being told he had six months

The first experimental treatment group he survived, and when informed he was the sole survivor, wanted to know if he won anything, “do I at least get a bottle of wine?!!”

( he was also a poker tournament junkie lol )

[Chainfire]

32. Great story, it made me smile too!

I have a Dr. story too:

I am a very shy person when it comes to my body; I always have been.

I had a "skin tag" near my rectum that my doctor suggested that I may want to have removed. He sent me to a surgeon who also happened to be a beautiful young woman.

After examining the area and telling me what my options were, and how the procedure would go, she asked if I had any questions. I put on my best humble deadpan face, and asked her, "Will it leave an ugly scar?" I was able to hold out until I saw her doing her very best to remain professional while posing her answer, and her assistant quickly turned away from me, and I lost it. The doctor and her assistant followed and we all had a good laugh.

If my wife had been in the exam room, my next procedure would have been a P.M.

[erronis]

44. Like mine. I told the doctor I didn't want my girlfriends to mistake it for the other thing.....

[LuckyCharms]

51. LMAO

I have a woman provider, and she's had to look at everything on me, including the area you mentioned.

Whenever she does have to look at that, I tell her "You should be getting combat pay for this".

She doesn't laugh.

[Chainfire]

55. My cardiologist is a former U.S. Marine doctor, and he has no sense of humor or bedside manor.

Everything is by the book, which is probably what you want in a heart surgeon. I was going in to the OR for a heart cath, and I was anxious. Anxiety seems to bring out the worst in me.

As the rolled me by the nurse's station, my Dr. was behind the desk reading a chart. They got me in the OR got the IV goin and doing what ever busy thing they do when I had an inspiration. I waited until the Dr. entered the OR and asked to speak to the head nurse. She came over and I said, just loud enough for the Marine to hear, "Nurse, could you make sure the doctor washes his hands again, he was picking his nose at the nurse's station." I remember her startled look, but I never got to hear his reaction because they did an immediate dump of the happy meds, and I woke up in recovery.

[orleans]

65. that's funny. (i'm assuming you were joking. if you were serious then it's not so funny that he was

... you know)

[Chainfire]

66. Oh I was pulling the tiger's tail. I figured old Mr. Stuffy could do with a bit of humility.

I survived the procedure so he must have had some sense of humor. Sometimes in this life, you just have to take risks.

[twodogsbarking]

33. I turn ghost white at med procedures. Doc was giving me a cortisone shot

in the shoulder with a big needle. The shot hurt and I turned white. He ask if I was alright
and I said yes but he was in a panic and ran from the room saying " I'm concerned, I am getting the nurse".
Still laughing from nearly 30 years ago.
You can say most anything on DU, just don't break the forum rules. If you do break one don't hold a grudge.
The Mod Squad has a sucky job.

[rambler_american]

35. I was getting regular injections in one of my eyes six or seven years ago,

to treat a condition called central retinal vein occlusion. I was getting my yearly physical with my Primary Care, a nurse practitioner, prior to heading south for the winter. The NP asked what I was going to do with my eye when we headed south, and I told her I was planning to bring it with me. She laughed out loud and mimed removing her eye and putting it on a shelf.
I love making people laugh.

[malaise]

36. I am convinced that the most important characteristic for aging is a sense of humor

Laughing at the aging process and at ourselves is the key to enjoying the rest of our days and nights 😀😀

[Wounded Bear]

50. Like Jimmy said: If we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane...

[highplainsdem]

37. What a fantastic story, LuckyCharms! I'm sorry you're dealing with a

serious health issue, and I'm praying it will be successfully treated soon, and you'll have a quick recovery. You have a great attitude, and that always helps so much.

Sending hugs and healing vibes.

[Martin68]

38. Thanks for sharing, and best wishes.

[cilla4progress]

40. What a healing thread!

Life has sent me some curveballs lateley, winding up with me alone at home on the couch gradually healing from COVID....

I was turned onto the great series Grace and Frankie which is both moving, and also very, very funny and smart.

Highly recommend!

[central scrutinizer]

42. I'm on the table, all shaved and prepped for my vasectomy

When the urologist pauses and says, completely deadpan, “I’ve always wanted to do one of these.”

[Bumbles]

45. So, when my "wasband" -

I just learned that useful word when my husband and partner of 30 years left me at age 78 to fend for myself - had hernia surgery years ago, the nurse, a nun at the Catholic hospital where the operation was performed, came into his room and said that he couldn't go home until he had peed. She said they had tried everything to no avail and wondered if I might have any idea. I said that I knew how to make him come, not how to make him go. Laughter IS great medicine unless you've just had abdominal stiches.

[LuckyCharms]

53. Hahaha! Welcome to DU, Bumbles!

[Prairie_Seagull]

59. The combo seems interesting. As long as your partner has a good sense to humor. nt

[marble falls]

62. Peeing was easy, pooing was a hurdle because I was off my normal feed. Thankfully it was ...

about quality over quantity.

My wife cracked up over wasband. I might have to sharpen up my game.

[mahina]

73. That is priceless. Regarding the term, I've used was-hus but wasband beats it.

[gopiscrap]

78. welcome to DU

[catrose]

47. A very good medicine. Keep laughing! (and get well soon)

In 1979 Norman Cousins published “Anatomy of an Illness,” in which he describes his journey to vibrant health from a painful, incurable illness. Told to get his affairs in order, instead he watched Marx Brothers movies. Ten minutes of laughter brought him two hours of deep, pain-free sleep. Other studies blossomed from his experience, and today a quick survey shows many benefits of laughing:
Pain relief, both emotional and physical
Increased blood flow to heart and brain
Reduction in blood sugar
Relaxation
Stress relief
Increased immune response
Lowered blood pressure
Increased emotional connection
Improved job performance

Ramon Mora-Ripoll (Altern Ther Health Med 2010 Nov-Dec;16(6):56-64. PMID: 21280463. The therapeutic value of laughter in medicine) examines studies about laughter and medicine.

In summary and in conclusion: “Laughter has shown physiological, psychological, social, spiritual, and quality-of-life benefits. Adverse effects are very limited, and laughter is practically lacking in contraindications.”

[Wounded Bear]

48. Used to be part of a men's group...

It was based on drumming and story telling, but over the years we did other things as well. One of the little excercises we did from time to time was "fake laughing." We'd stand in a circle, bend back and just starting laughing out loud at nothing in particular. We'd do it for quite a few seconds, perhaps even minute or so, I never actually timed it. But as guys got into it it could get quite loud and raucous, and frankly kind of fun. It was surprisingly exhilirating and refreshing, even though we didn't really have anything to laugh at, other than ourselves.

We occasionally did "primal scream" circles as well, but they weren't as much fun IMO.

[LuckyCharms]

49. This is great!

Thanks for this...I might try it!

[Wounded Bear]

52. It's kind of a group thing, I think. If you do it alone, people might question your sanity...

[thatcrowwoman]

56. At a pre-natal check up early in my pregnancy with littlebird

the OB-GYN reviewed my vitals and progress, then remarked, with his thumb and pointer finger maybe 2 inches apart, “MrsCrowwoman, you are eating for two now. But one of you is only thisbig.” He wasn’t wrong. He thought he was Hilarious, but at the time I was not amused.
🕊thatcrowwoman

[Mr.Bill]

57. I was in pre-op for my colonoscopy

and the male nurse who was in charge of it went through a list of questions they are required to ask and asked me "Do tou have any fear of violence or sexual assault when you return home?" (or something to that effect) and I said unfortunately, no. He had a good laugh. My wife, who was there was not quite as amused.

[ailsagirl]

58. You just made MY day!! Thank you!!

😂 🥰

Best wishes to you and your wife. 🫂💕
And the nurse.

[40RatRod]

60. While getting a vasectomy the Dr told the nurse to watch my toes (after both arms were tied down.)

When he wiped me down with an ice cold cloth my toes curled up and they had a good laugh.

[marble falls]

67. Laughing hard in the dark scares the hell out of the 'them' or 'it'. We bought the ticket, we can...

... enjoy the ride or not. I'ma going to get my money's worth and enjoy it. There's so many blessing in that darkness, too. Sometimes you gotta trip over them.

Good luck and keep your chin up and your eyes full of tears of laughter!

[dflprincess]

70. My friend's husband, who had recently been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer

and pretty much sent home to die by his doctor, was down at the Mayo Clinic looking for a second opinion.

The doctor was running late and a nurse poked her head in the room to let him know "It won't be long now." He asked her if that was his prognosis. The poor nurse gasped and started trying to stammer out an explanation when she realized he was kidding. (And he just loved telling people that story.)

As it turned out, Mayo couldn't save him but they bought him just over 3 years with some extreme treatments that he tolerated very well. Had a good quality of life right up until the last month.

[crickets]

72. Thank you, Lucky Charms, and everyone who shared their funny stories.

I really appreciated the laughs! And LC, I hope your issue is resolved soon.

[GoodRaisin]

74. I remember Jim Valvano saying in his "don't give up" speech that laughing was one of

the 3 things you should try to do everyday. Thinking and crying were the other two. He said if you could do all 3 in the same day then “you’ve had a heck of a day”.

It was one of the greatest speeches I have ever heard.

[Grammy23]

76. My late surgeon had a plaque on the wall of one examining room that said...

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

That is from Proverbs. And is true. My surgeon often joked and kidded when it was appropriate. I was seeing him because I had breast cancer and he was the guy who removed it so my seeing him was about pretty serious stuff. But he knew when to be light hearted. He was even known to start telling me a joke as the anesthesia started!

So I miss him. He and I were close to the same age and even born in the same hometown. Having a sense of humor — even during — especially during times of trouble and stress can make your heart a little lighter. Never under estimate the power of laughter.

[Ligyron]

77. A sense of humor is probably a uniquely human attribute.

Other than Chimps and the other great apes, I'm not aware of any other animal whose laughter like sounds could conceivably be attached to a sense of humor.

It may be that it takes a certain amount of brain power to see the humor in things .