I was a little older than she was, but, she was much more popular. Few at Mumford High School could talk to her very long without breaking out in laughter. People wanted to be near her, her funky fashions and the hairdoes that only she could pull off. I was ordinary. She was extraordinary. She was into everything and she lit up every room she entered. Funny. She was really funny. I wasn't really a part of her in- crowd, but, we talked. We were friends. So many admired her humor...... even when she announced, "There is nothing funny about cancer."
Gilda Radner nurtured herself, her family and her treatment team with her incredible sense of humor. She had much support including that of her loving husband, Gene Wilder. "Willy Wonka" could not save her life, but, their shared humor certaily helped her to cope with her disease. It was the strongest ally she had in managing with her situation. I don't know if she ever knew that Wilder suffered with Alhzeimers. She did know that she would never have the child she wanted. She did know that she had a serious eating disorder; she suffered with bulimia. She did know that she had been initially misdiagnosed. She relieved her stress with humor as often as possible. She knew that one can't feel anxious and giggly at the same time. This is a lesson we should all remember.
When the going gets tough, the tough giggle. This doesn't work completely, but it sure makes it easier to cope. There were even times when Gilda laughed so hard that she cried. At times when the humor was not as powerful, she said, "I used to be Gilda Radner."
Whatever the strain, it is never to late to call upon comedy and wit. It can help your mood. It can also strengthen your immune system. Share the healing philosophy with Gilda's outlook and book - "It's Always Something."