Read time 6 minutes
Discover how laughter therapy helped me cope with Isaacs’ Syndrome, Lyme disease, and more. A humorous, heartfelt journey through chronic illness, healing, and the power of a good giggle.
Dear Universe, Thanks for the Laughs (and the Recovery)
Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. Thank you, Universe, for not giving up on me, even when my body felt like it was auditioning for a medical drama. You’ve blessed me with recovery and just enough sarcasm to keep things interesting.
As the old saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” My name isn’t Jack, but my friends do call me “the serious one.” I suppose that’s what happens when your idea of a wild night is organizing your pillbox by color.
But here’s the thing: life without laughter is like a hospital gown, awkward, uncomfortable, and always open in the back.
Muhammad Ali, Foreman, and the Knockout Punch of Humor
I once heard a story about the legendary 1974 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Ali, ever the showman, kept taunting Foreman mid-fight: “Is that all you got?”
That line stuck with me. Because when life threw its punches, I found myself asking the same thing. “Is that all you got?”
Back in 2016, I was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition called Isaacs’ Syndrome. It causes continuous muscle fiber activity, meaning my muscles were overactive and constantly twitching.
Around the same time, I discovered I also had Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by tick bites. To make matters more complicated, Glaucoma crept in, affecting my eyes. Then came Membranous Glomerulonephritis, a kidney condition. I was dealing with multiple layers of health problems.
And as if that wasn’t enough, other conditions followed like uninvited guests:
My health felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, each diagnosis revealing a deeper layer of complexity.
Turns out, life had more. But so did I.
Discovering Laughter Therapy: The Underdog That Won My Heart
After my diagnosis, I tried everything: conventional medicine, alternative therapies, herbal concoctions that smelled like regret. But the one thing that truly helped me stay sane? Laughter therapy.
Yes, it’s a real thing. And no, it doesn’t involve watching cat videos (though that helps too).
Laughter therapy gave me something no pill could: the ability to smile through the storm. It helped me stay calm when my body felt like it was hosting a medical mystery show. It made social interactions less awkward and table tennis more fun, even when I forgot whose serve it was.
Stress, Side Effects, and the Healing Power of Chuckles
Stress was my not-so-silent partner in crime. It messed with my blood sugar, weight, mood, and immune system. Basically, it was the toxic ex I couldn’t block.
But laughter? Laughter was the antidote. It boosted my happy hormones, improved digestion (of both food and life), and gave me the emotional equilibrium I desperately needed.
I started to see humor not as a distraction, but as a prescription. And unlike most prescriptions, this one didn’t come with a 10-page list of side effects.
Becoming a Kidult: Why Adults Need to Act Silly Sometimes
Somewhere along the way, adulthood convinced us that seriousness equals success. But I say: let’s rebel. Let’s become Kidults.
Talk gibberish. Watch cartoons. Laugh at fart jokes. Reawaken the child within who didn’t care about deadlines or cholesterol levels.
Even my aging father got in on the action. We binge-watched animated shows on YouTube and Netflix, proving that age is no barrier to silliness. And honestly, watching him giggle at a dancing penguin was better than any medicine.
Humor Is a Team Sport: The Role of Friends and Family
Laughter is contagious—thankfully, in a good way. Being around people who could crack a joke or share a funny memory was like emotional CPR.
One friend, during a game of table tennis, reminded me it was my turn to serve by quoting scripture: “Humans are born to serve, not to be served.” I laughed so hard I missed the ball.
These moments, these people—they gave me strength. They reminded me that healing isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, spiritual, and sometimes downright ridiculous.
My Medical Mystery Tour: Isaacs’ Syndrome and Friends
Let’s talk diagnoses. I was hit with a rare condition called Isaacs’ Syndrome—a neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle hyperactivity. Sounds fancy, right? I thought it was named after Isaac Newton. Spoiler: it wasn’t.
Then came Lyme disease (thanks, ticks), Glaucoma (hello, optic nerve damage), and Membranous Glomerulonephritis (a kidney disease that sounds like a spell from Harry Potter).
My medical reports mentioned “neuromyotonia,” which I swear sounds like a Transformer. One friend joked that Googling my symptoms crashed their computer. Another said my health file needed its own zip code.
Hospital Humor: Where the Real Comedy Happens
Hospitals are serious places. But if you look closely, they’re also comedy gold.
- I once tiptoed past my bedside meds so I wouldn’t wake up my sleeping pills.
- When my medication changed, I thought I was going deaf, because I couldn’t hear myself chewing chocolate cake.
- During admission, I joked that the staff would diagnose my insurance policy before diagnosing me.
And then there’s the classic: “You don’t look sick.” Bonus points if said while I’m dragging my IV pole like a fashion accessory.
Chronic Illness Bingo: The Greatest Hits
Here’s a little game I call Chronic Illness Bingo. If you’ve ever been sick, you’ll relate:
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| “Have you tried yoga?” | As if downward dog pose cures autoimmune disorders |
| Insurance denial | Because clearly, my rare disease is just a phase |
| Side effects | Medicines help, but they also ruin your week |
| Bathroom GPS | You know every restroom within a 10-mile radius |
| Flare-up roulette | Spin the wheel: pain, nausea, or both today |
| Invisible illness | Visible strength—you show up even when your body says no |
- The “funny bone” isn’t a bone. And it’s definitely not funny when you hit it.
- Babies laugh 400 times a day. Adults? About 15. We need to catch up.
- Greek philosopher Chrysippus reportedly died laughing. Talk about going out with a bang.
- World Laughter Day was started in India by a Mumbai-based doctor. Yet, India ranked 140th in the 2019 Happiness Report. Irony, anyone?
Humor Is Healing: Even When Life Isn’t Funny
Sometimes, I joke that God created us just to give Himself an existential crisis. Other times, I wonder if laughter is the only thing keeping me from turning into a walking pharmacy.
But through it all, I’ve learned this: humor doesn’t cure disease, but it does cure despair. It doesn’t fix your body, but it fixes your perspective.
So if you’re reading this and feeling a little humorless, don’t worry. You’re not alone. And you’re not broken. You just need a good laugh.
Final Thoughts: Laugh Loud, Live Well
Laughter therapy may not be mainstream, but it’s been my secret weapon. It helped me cope with Isaacs’ Syndrome, Lyme disease, and the emotional rollercoaster of chronic illness.
So go ahead, watch that silly video, crack that joke, laugh at your own clumsiness. Life’s too short to be serious all the time.
And remember: healing begins with a smile.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in this article are my own and do not constitute medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for any health-related concerns.