Today was rehab day. Mama and I did exercises this morning and then Gillian, the therapist, came this afternoon. She was here for almost an hour and left a list of exercises for us to do... vestibulo-oculomotor exercises. (how's that? copied from the exercise sheet)
I recently read and article. (stay with me here) Source: Michael Miller, MD, associate professor of medicine, epidemiology and preventive medicine at the University of Maryland, and director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, both in Baltimore.
"The Healing Power of Laughter
Does enjoyment and laughter really help your heart? There's been much speculation. Researchers now have an answer.
Background: The endothelium, the inner lining of the arteries, plays an important role in the fight against cardiovascular disease. It regulates blood flow by controlling when the blood vessels expand and contract.
In addition, the endothelium also secretes chemicals, such as nitric oxide, that inhibit inflammation (a key step in the formation of dangerous arterial plaque that can trigger heart attacks or sudden death) and blood clotting (a cause of many heart attacks).
Mental stress is known to be harmful to the endothelium. Blood vessels tighten in stressful situation, and chemical changes may leave you open to arterial damage.
Scientific Evidence: One study suggested that laughter works like stress in reverse, to promote endothelial health.
The study, conducted at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, involved 20 nonsmoking, healthy volunteers who were hooked up to a blood pressure cuff and ultrasound machine to measure blood flow in a major artery.
Half the group watched the opening scene of the war movie Saving Private Ryan, a graphic and violent depiction of World War II.
The other half saw a segment of the comedy Kingpin, staring Woody Harrelson and Bill Murry, which was described by critic Roger Ebert as 'a very funny movie, and sometimes even funnier than that.' Two days later, the groups were switched and the films were rerun.
The difference was striking. Minutes after watching Saving Private Ryan, arterial blood flow was constricted in 14 of the 20 volunteers. But blood vessels opened up in 19 of the 20 participants after they had laughed their way through the Kingpin segment.
The relaxation of the arteries suggested that the endothelium was working in a healthy way, secreting chemicals, such as nitric oxide, to protect against clot formation and the formation of fatty deposits.
Laughter's exact physiological mechanism is unclear, but researchers speculate that the release of endorphins -- 'feel good' brain chemicals -- triggers positive endothelial changes. Watching the funny movie had as much positive effect on arteries as 20 to 30 minutes of jogging.
A Healthy Perspective...
An earlier study by the same researchers at the University of Maryland also offered evidence that the ability to laugh could protect against heart disease.
Researchers gave a questionnaire to 150 people ages 45 to 75 who had suffered a heart attack or undergone coronary bypass surgery, and to 150 healthy volunteers of the same age who didn't have heart disease.
The participants were asked whether they would smile, laugh or find any humor at all in a number of real-life situations, such as having soup spilled on them in a restaurant, mistaking a total stranger for a friend or being honked at by an impatient driver while crossing the street.
Result: Those with heart disease were 40% less likely to find humor in difficult or embarrassing situations, compared with those who were healthy.
How to make Your Health a Laughing Matter...
Although it may be difficult to change your whole outlook to see more humor in the events of daily life, you can give yourself more occasions to laugh.
Set aside at least 15 minutes each day to watch a funny film or video, read an amusing book or listen to a CD of a favorite comedian. Increase your library of movies that make you laugh. For a list of funny movie choices, check out the American Film Institutes '100 Funniest American Movies of All Time' at www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/laughs.aspx. "
There you have it. The Bible also says that laughter is good for us. Imagine that. God knew what He was talking about.
So anyway, I was telling Mama about this and she just started laughing out loud and then we got tickled and were laughing for real. She continued to laugh exaggerated and then she just stopped right in the middle of laughing, looked at me and said, " Is that enough?" If you could have seen the look on her face. Then we got tickled all over again and laughed and laughed. I love my Mama's sense of humor and that she has retained it through everything she's been through. That, my friend, is the results of a deep, deep love for, and personal relationship with, her Lord and Savior. To God be the glory.
Don is going back to Branson on Wednesday to get ready for the two services Sunday. It's really tough on him when he can't preach and be with the people in the parks. He loves it. Living with Don, I'm understanding more and more how powerful the call of God is on a preacher/pastor/missionary. When they are unable to do what God has called them to do, it's painful to them. Don does ok for about a week, maybe two, but then I can really tell he is itching to get back behind the pulpit. And then, there's his health and it's bothering me to let him go alone. So, please pray that mother will soon be where I feel at peace about leaving her alone again. We definitely see improvement in Mama and believe that she will get to the point of being independent again. Maybe not driving her pickup, but able to be alone and take care of herself. That's what she wants. Remember, she has a vacation to California & Washington planned and it's a great goal for her to work toward.
I guess, to boil it down, Don feels the pull to be where he made a commitment to be chaplain and a pull to be with me (and Mama). I feel a pull to be with him and a pull to stay with Mama. We need God's intervention, so please pray for our situation. Plus, these extra trips to Norman and back to Branson ... well, you know the gas prices.
Don and I want to thank those of you who are so faithful in your financial support of this ministry. It is such a blessing and help to us. We are praying that about 25 people would catch the vision that you have and join our support team. That would really be a blessing. We know that God provides and takes care of us and we love being able to do what He has called us to do.
Counting it ALL joy.
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