Family Jokes Inspire Breast Cancer Survivor to Promote Healing Through Laughter
Linda Hill managed to turn the adversity into a business plan and has provided hope and laughter to fellow patients along the way.
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December 31, 2009
Linda Hill recently underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer - her fourth bout with cancer in 29 years - but she managed to turn the adversity into a business plan and has provided hope and laughter to fellow patients along the way.
Hill admits she comes from a family of jokesters, and recalls her daughter thanking her "for making me NOT the smallest-breasted person" in the family as her mother was wheeled into surgery, according to NPR.com.
The 48-year-old says laughter helped her get though the toughest times, and she decided to launch a t-shirt line featuring some of her family's funniest sayings. "Everybody has their own way of getting through things," she explained, quoted by the news source, "This just must be my way of doing it."
She hopes the shirts will help patients keep their spirits up during their treatment with slogans such as "Of course they're fake, the real ones tried to kill me!"
The National Cancer Institute estimates 192,370 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. However, if detected early it is highly curable so doctors recommend women above the age of 40 get an annual mammogram.
All women should also develop the habit of conducting monthly breast self-examinations which may further boost their chances of early detection. Among the best preventive methods, on the other hand, are a low-fat diet, physical exercise and refraining from smoking.
There are many organizations which work to raise awareness and funds for medical research, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which also accepts donations.
Linda Hill recently underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer - her fourth bout with cancer in 29 years - but she managed to turn the adversity into a business plan and has provided hope and laughter to fellow patients along the way.
Hill admits she comes from a family of jokesters, and recalls her daughter thanking her "for making me NOT the smallest-breasted person" in the family as her mother was wheeled into surgery, according to NPR.com.
The 48-year-old says laughter helped her get though the toughest times, and she decided to launch a t-shirt line featuring some of her family's funniest sayings. "Everybody has their own way of getting through things," she explained, quoted by the news source, "This just must be my way of doing it."
She hopes the shirts will help patients keep their spirits up during their treatment with slogans such as "Of course they're fake, the real ones tried to kill me!"
The National Cancer Institute estimates 192,370 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. However, if detected early it is highly curable so doctors recommend women above the age of 40 get an annual mammogram.
All women should also develop the habit of conducting monthly breast self-examinations which may further boost their chances of early detection. Among the best preventive methods, on the other hand, are a low-fat diet, physical exercise and refraining from smoking.
There are many organizations which work to raise awareness and funds for medical research, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which also accepts donations.
