Laughter, the Best Medicine?

[fibnum]

I want to relate an experience I had an hour ago. Perhaps my "antidote to Afib" has been experienced by some of you. I think many would agree that at times those of us in our 70's and 80's who are dealing with Afib find that, like God, our subconscious works in mysterious ways.

I had been dealing with Afib arrhythmia for 6 hours. I woke up at 4:00 AM and added a couple of lines to finish a poem. I felt my pulse when I got back in bed, and I still had arrhythmia. A few minutes later as I was drifting off, an odd bit from a TV report I had seen over 3 months ago suddenly came to mind. The presenter talked about natural remedies and described how the oil and grease beside your nose (I hope you're not eating breakfast!) could be rubbed off with your fingers and applied to your lips as a natural salve for dry, cracked lips. I had an image of a woman kissing her lover and saying, "What's that oily stuff on your lips?" "Oh, I just put on a fresh application of nose crease grease!" (It begs the question of how often this TV guy washes his face!)

I found myself chuckling heartily while lying in bed. I felt my pulse again before trying to go back to sleep. I was in NSR! I checked it with the monitor to be sure. It really did seem as the the funny scene and laugh straightened me out! Now all we have to do is have a network for exchanging gross, humorous texts when needed.

Here is the poem I was finishing. I hope it doesn't put anyone in Afib. Feel free to skip it!

“How Are You, Today?”

I had a bright, reticent student

“On the spectrum” I was told.

His demeanor in his lesson,

At twenty years old,

Was impassive, but never impudent.

Before we began each session,

I would forget, and say,

“How are you, today?”

It seems an innocent thing,

An innocuous greeting to bring.

But always, with awkward pause,

No answer would he give.

Too late, I knew the cause,

He was bound with truth to live.

No insincere response to ad lib,

His words were never quick or glib.

He would tense and shrink away,

Trying to study what to say.

Finally replying, hesitant and low,

“I, I really don’t know.”

How many times have we thought,

With that greeting routinely brought,

To try the truth to venture

Instead of our feelings censure,

Not wanting to sympathy pander,

But needing to speak with candor.

“How are you, today?”

“I’m fine, I’m good, I’m okay.”

I will always answer,

Unable to bring myself to say,

“Except my best friend has cancer.”

Like my guileless, awkward student,

I can’t share what’s going on.

Darkening the moment feels imprudent,

But hiding the truth feels also wrong.

I find the conflict painfully confusing,

My saddened mood to be defusing

With such emotions paired that don’t belong,

What spectrum am I on?

Wishing a warm voice would softly say,

“But, how are you ‘really’ today?”

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi fibnum

I love your poem, it has so much depth.

First I must ask you. "How are you really today?" I need that answer, so please don't ignore my question.

I too have experienced laughter making me go back into normal sinus rhythm. It was when a few neighbours got together for a pre Christmas drink. Now it could have been the salty Doritos I ate, or maybe the wine, or was it the laughter we had? You've made me think.

I have a few things stored on my PC that never fail to make me laugh and next time I'm in fast AF I'll watch them and hope laughter will be my cure too.

Jean

[fibnum in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you, Jean!

I am fine, but after 14 months of Afib's absence from change of diet, it began coming back about a year ago and is at about every ten days for 6-12 hours usually. I don't feel bad really at all, so I tolerate it for now, enjoying good health when not in Afib. I think it was the regaining of about 20 lbs that brought it back.

You have had much to deal with regarding health issues and can respond to people from a depth of experience and study. I know many appreciate the advice and encouragement you bring with your dedication to this forum.

Best,

Al

[jeanjeannie50]

I've just thought, asking people how they really feel is quite a personal question. Don't think I'd want to say to just anyone. In general I'm a happy person and very rarely feel down.

However, I was feeling very sorry for myself a few days ago. I'm having a cataract removed next Friday and decided to read through the information booklet I'd been given. There listed was all the things that could go wrong and my chances of having one of them. Yep this silly woman who rarely worries about anything let herself slide into 'poor me' mode about having such a minor procedure. Yes, I know there isn't a lot to it, I've been told that by friends who have experienced the process recently.

Anyway the day after feeling so sorry for myself my pulse decided it would go from 60-146bpm constantly. It made me feel ill and the day after (yesterday) I had no energy whatsoever and went to bed in the afternoon, which is unheard of for me. All ok today, thank goodness. that's the first time in about 8 years since having my third ablation that my heart rate had gone so high. Did my poor me feeling make it happen, just as laughing made it disappear for you?

Jean

[fibnum in reply to jeanjeannie50]

First of all, I'm sorry I did not ask how you were before, but I'm glad you said, just now.

I have had cataracts taken off in both eyes, and it should be a pleasantly simple procedure with no problems or discomfort. I have had to learn to keep things at arms length with negative emotions and anxiety, if I can. I had to assert my will to be less concerned when my daughter or granddaughter play violin recitals. At the first recital I attended after I began having Afib, I realized I would probably get Afib if I let my usual tension take root. It felt strange "not to care" as much, but I learned they could do just fine without my worrying about everything.

"Don't sweat" the cataract surgery! (probably a phrase used only in the U.S.)

Al

[bassets in reply to fibnum]

The mind can do odd things to you body, can't it? I hope your op goes well. Take care x

[Silvasava in reply to jeanjeannie50]

That certainly resonates with me Jean, I've just had an appointment with the anaesthetist prior to having surgery for colon cancer, being told everything that could go wrong is not very reassuring, my only comfort is that despite my Afib and DCM they are prepared to do it. Just want it over and done with!

[Auriculaire in reply to Silvasava]

My stepfather and one of my uncles had colon cancer surgery and both lived well for many years afterwards. I have had a colectomy (not for cancer) with 26 cm removed from my colon and I recovered well. I too was warned about what could go wrong but it all went well. The main problem is a change in the nature of the transit but you get used to that.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Silvasava]

Hope all goes well for you and your op is soon over and done with. Unfortunately we have little choice when it comes to solving health problems, just have to grit our teeth and get on with it. A friend had part of her bowel removed many years ago and has been fine since. Very much hope this will be the case for you.

Best wishes

Jean

[CDreamer]

Great poem, so true.

[Ppiman]

I am by nature questioning of the idea of medical labels to describe "spectrums"; but also I am of a disposition to be open and frank rather than coy and secretive, believing the world suffers because of its naturally deceptive bent.

However, as an English teacher I loved reading your poem. Keep writing them! They are a genuinely wonderful way to spend time. I wish I had the natural rhythm in my head to be able to pen decent poetry.

I would say regarding the controlling idea that lies behind your poem (i.e. about openness being not always the best choice) that "context is all" in language use and, indeed in its reception (i.e. interpretation).

Steve

[Auriculaire]

Love the poem. Maybe I'll put on a Southpark dvd next time I go into afib or watch an old Monty Python film! See if your suggestion works.

[108cat]

yes thank you for the laughter and poem ...

it strikes me that if anxiety, exertion and stress can trigger AF then laughter and relaxation can help to put it right. Maybe something to do with the vagus nerve? Or simply getting out of the anxiety spiral.

It reminds me of the early days last year when sudden PAF episodes absolutely terrified me, I sometimes called my neighbour to sit with me, she's 100% upbeat and sees the funny side of everything .. it always helped, whether I went back into normal SR or not.

I love the delicacy of your observation of the 'one on the spectrum' .. very nice.

[Qualipop]

OMG I just love that poem. My son is "on the spectrum". I just realised I never ask him how he is. Brilliant.

[Peacefulneedshelp]

Brilliant