Round One, and Done. Or “Laughter is the Best Medicine”

First chemo treatment is in the books. One thing I didn’t know is that they give you a couple of Benadryl just on the off-chance you might have an allergic reaction; and apparently I don’t do well with Benadryl. For about 4 hours I alternated between bouts of falling asleep sitting straight up, to being so hyper I wanted go climb a mountain, and all of that happening inside my body at the same time. But the best was that I had almost no discernment about what I said in my own head vs. what I said out loud to real, actual people. Some hilarity ensued.

For starters, I sent a short text to my daughter, in which I thought this horrifying word vomit made any sense:

            oubahevntmwTchedbthw Vhapenned at at church Sunday, check out Snowmass Chapel   SUNY. Such a show of solidarity and love ❀️ you can always

She was not amused, thinking I’d had some kind of medical event. So sorry Anna girl. No more texting under the influence of anti-histamines.

Then, a bit later, Tim asked a simple question: β€œWhat was the name of the guy we bumped into at Capitol Creek recently? The one who stopped to chat at our table?” At this point, for some reason I began wracking my brain to remember when I had last been at Capitol Creek trailhead. I mean those views of Capitol Peak, that iconic meadow, that canopy of aspens. But tables??? I finally responded a bit slurry but oh so very earnestly, β€œBabe, I don’t think there are tables there. Like, how would they haul them all the way up the hiking trail?” I did a mental scan of everything again – even took myself up to American Lake and Snowmass Lake trailheads in my mind, just in case Tim was confused about the trek and maybe there are picnic tables on those trails. Also, it has been winter for forever right now so I’m pretty sure we haven’t been there recently. Surely something was wrong with his memory.

Now, this is where I want you to know that if you don’t have a patient man in times of need, you need to start training him big time. Tim just looked at me as I was processing this in a VERY THOROUGH way, and he finally said slowly and calmly, β€œWe were at a restaurant table….at Capitol Creek Brewery….in Basalt….having lunch.”

Oh! Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place? Sometimes my husband and I are of one mind, people, and we are a glorious thing to behold. But when I am hopped up on Benadryl and taking side trips in my imagination, I’m gonna need a few more details from the inner workings of your mind, Timothy.

Good stuff. Laughter is such good medicine.

P.S. the Benadryl wore off, the chemotherapy is healing me as I write this, and God’s got this. Love you all.



22 responses to “Round One, and Done. Or “Laughter is the Best Medicine””

  1. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face by sharing the humor you found in the day πŸ™‚ much love

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    1. annes13752aspenk12net Avatar
      annes13752aspenk12net

      dito

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  2. sounds like who needs wine or weed when you have benadryl & chemo? ??
    so glad you got that first one in the books (or jugular) and i’m sure God was smiling today with you. xoxo

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  3. donnawiedinmyer Avatar
    donnawiedinmyer

    I am laughing out loud at your post!! You were speaking in tongues-It looked like Russian. I am sure you were saying “Praise God that I am able to take this medical treatment that is starting to heal my body” or something along those lines. Charla, you could be a stand up comic! Ask Tim to record you during all future Chemo treatments–this could become part of your new blog post. Prayers continue in abundance for your healing. Our Sisterhood prayed mightily for you today and continues through the days. You are on a big team of God Worshippers!!! Love, Donna

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  4. Oh, Charla! Benadryl is a horrible invention…and to think you got a double shot! You have my sympathy.

    I had a similar experience answering e mails late at night when the house was quiet…and I was unknowingly falling asleep as I wrote. I sent several messages to my bible study circle leader about certain issues that looked much like your first two lines. A series of letters that looked like gobbledygook did not amuse her, the prim early riser perfectionist type. To this day she looks at me like I’m a closet alcoholic. To be sure, you have an excuse. I have learned not to send e mail at bedtime and I just smile at her glazed, piercing eyes! What’s to explain? C’est la vie! 😊

    Blessings to you as you continue to keep an upbeat attitude! Lots of hugs, Lee. Isnfhebsjfndhxjsjmdhdjdnd!

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  5. Robert DeWetter Avatar
    Robert DeWetter

    Great post Charla. And yes humor is great medicine. ❀️

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  6. Literally laughed out loud, more than once, reading this. I felt like I was right there on your imaginary journey. Heal away and let the humor ensue.

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  7. Marie E. Kelly Avatar
    Marie E. Kelly

    Ysh πŸ€ͺπŸ‘β€ΌοΈYOU GOT THIS!!! You always were here for us all πŸ‘πŸ˜ƒβ­οΈ and NOW WE ALL ‼️are here for YOU‼️ (BTW I AM ALSO allergic to Benedryl πŸ€ͺ) LOVE πŸ’—β€οΈπŸ’—YOU
    πŸ‘ΈπŸΌπŸΆπŸΆπŸΆ

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  8. Might have to remember this and slip you some Benadryl before your next sermon. Just for the fun of it.

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  9. Oh Charla – your humor is medicine to us all. Thank you for sharing your extraordinary gift of comedy as you kick cancer’s butt. Praying for you fervently – and yes, indeed, God’s got this, and He is everywhere around you in this battle. So many God moments when we open our eyes to Him, and I’m certain you have your eyes wide open in faith and love! May He make His face to shine upon you and grant you peace!

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    1. donnawiedinmyer Avatar
      donnawiedinmyer

      Dear Heather and Charla: thank you for the inspirational words for Charla and all of us. God is speaking through you. Charla’s wit had me laughing out loud! Having a sense of humor is so important when healing. You may have heard of Norman Cousins who many years ago was given 3 months to live in 1966–he died in 1990. He decided he did not like that diagnosis and determined to laugh as much as he could every day by reading comedy and watching nothing but comedic movies. He wrote a book: Anatomy of an illness. I will never forget how powerful his determination to live was. Charla has that same tenacity and spirit. God is working through you, Charla! Love and blessings, Donna

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  10. Nancy Ferguson Avatar
    Nancy Ferguson

    Funny lady❀️ Healing has begun. Keep up the good work!

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  11. LOL… Happy to be able to follow your journey of healing. xoxoxoxo

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  12. Charla, that is pretty funny stuff – please step away from the Benadryl – lol – yes, you have a most patient husband but a terrified daughter! Glad to hear first session went well – hang in there – you are right – God’s got this!!! Love ya xoxoxoxo

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  13. Oh what a way to start the day. Your humor, your passion for life and your sharing spirit. Thank you and heal quickly as you have helped so many to do.

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  14. Haha you are hilarious! I think this calls for a giant picnic at Capitol Creek (Trailhead NOT Brewery) when you are on the other side of this!! xoxo

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  15. LOVE the text to your daughter. 😁 Laughter is beautiful medicine! Sending lots of prayers and healing light for ease in this journey and strength in your healthy recoveryπŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»πŸ’œ

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  16. Charla, God has awakened me at 2 0r 3 am each morning filled with prayers for you. So yeah. You can imagine my prayers for your SPEEDY healing are fervent indeed. xo

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  17. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Charla. Your humorous spirit is such a blessing to us! Love and hope is alive and well.

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  18. Well so glad I am now on you kickitwithcharla website! But it was wonderful to actually run into you at Willits on Wednesday. Now I can stay in touch without being a helicopter friend. LOL and you will know that I will always be thinking of you and the family and I know you will end up being the poster child for this uninvited event. You rock and you will rock it!!! Bobbi

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  19. You can give up your day job Charla- Stand-Up is waiting for you! Hilarious post . Praying every day for you and your family. Hugs from Woody Creek!

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  20. donnawiedinmyer Avatar
    donnawiedinmyer

    Dearest Charla: Prayers continue to abound for you and your precious family. I hope today is a better day and that you are able to get around as much as you want to do. I also hope that you are able to chill by watching some good movies on Prime and Netflix. We are all continuing to pray and send best wishes. It is amazing the power that our Christian Community has to help you overcome this dreaded disease and to help you heal quickly! You are loved beyond words. Donna

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About Charla

In March of 2023 our dear Charla was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer which had spread to the lymph nodes. Charla is a beloved friend and pastor to so many. In an effort to keep all of those who care about her in the loop, and lighten the communication load that would inevitably fall on Charla and her family, we have established this blog. Please post your comments of positivity, prayer, encouragement, and inspiration on this site, or mail encouraging messages via snail mail.

Prior to this diagnosis Charla had tossed around the idea of starting a podcast. With a background in PR and TV, years of expertise teaching and writing on parenting and other topics, a Doctorate in Ministry from Duke University, and 13 years under her belt of co-pastoring and leading a church, Charla has a deep well of wisdom to draw from and “kick around” in conversation in a podcast setting. We can’t wait to “kick it” (slang for “hang out”) with Charla in the years ahead and hear her declare triumph over this diagnosis.

For now, we join Charla in solidarity, with love and constant prayer, as she kicks cancer out of her body.

Kick it with Charla. And lift her up in prayer.