Tomorrow my very good friend Michelle’s book on cancer, “Any Day With Hair Is a Good Hair Day: How to Get Through Cancer and Get On with Your Life (Trust Me, I’ve Been There),” is released! I’ll talk about it more next week, because she has a section devoted to people afflicted by both cancer and depression.
But I had to mention her today while I’m discussing humor because she is one of the funniest people I have ever met. She was able to make me laugh when I was crying Niagara Falls.
For example, the day after I told her about my pituitary tumor (which, in hindsight isn’t a big deal … because it’s benign … but for a few days there, I was a tad wigged out), she sent me the following e-mail:

Dear New Member:
Welcome to ACTS – the Association of Card-carrying Tumor Sufferers.
There are all kinds of benefits to being a member of this elite organization, and your TRIAL MEMBERSHIP is free*.
If you’re not happy with it any time, ask your doctor to write us a note saying that your discontent is not being caused by your tumor, and we will cancel your free membership – free of charge – immediately.
Membership benefits include:
– your personalized ATCs Membership Card, which is attached to a string for easy access. You can pull out the card with ease any time
– you want to get out of a commitment, make an excuse about a commitment you didn’t keep, or if you just want to make somebody feel bad!
You’ll be amazed at all of the ways you’ll use it.
– saying you have a headache & they’ll have to believe you
– being let in to the front of any line by holding your head & saying, “it’s really nothing, just my tumor acting up again”
JOIN NOW and we’ll send you a free jumbo aspirin bottle filled with mints to carry in your purse. Take 5 or 6 at one time and everyone will think you”re taking industrial quantities of aspirin. (even MORE sympathy…who knows? maybe somebody will even give you some cash or a gift certificate to Saks just to cheer you up).
And remember, now you can commit random ACTS of any kind & people will still have to like you.
* – for 90 days. We figure if you make it that long, you’ll be around for a while
Sincerely,
RIME SMITH YOUMER
President

More on Michelle next week, but I thought you’d all like that one! And if you know anyone afflicted with cancer, get her a copy of “Any Day With Hair Is a Good Hair Day.” It just may make her laugh.