Comic Relief

I think it's pretty safe to say that anyone who battles with a chronic illness will agree that laughter is great medicine. That being said, there's not much about Crohn's or UC that is "funny" or "fun," but it certainly can provide us with some awkwardly hilarious situations.

It takes a brave person to not only share their story, but also to find the humor in it. Situations like this usually aren't funny at the time they happen - more embarrassing and humiliating. But if you can look back on an incident and laugh about it, you're doing something right!

It is here that I will share one of my own awkward, funny stories.

About a decade ago, I was shopping with my significant other at a local big-box store. I had felt fine the whole day, and we had just left a pizza parlor where we had dinner. This store had a counter with cash registers in the middle of the health and beauty section, which was where I was browsing. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I experienced a sharp pain in my stomach, right behind my belly-button. It came on so fast, I momentarily thought I was being stabbed! I crouched down in the aisle, cradling my stomach with my arms, hoping and waiting for this pain to pass.

Just as the sharp pain began to subside, I felt a strange tingling in my jaw, and my mouth began to water excessively. Something in my brain told me what was about to happen - I was going to vomit RIGHT NOW.

The restrooms were clear on the other side of the big-box store, and I knew there was no way I could make it to them without losing it along the way. I frantically searched around the aisles for a rogue trash can, to no avail. By this point, sweat was dripping down my face, and my significant other was keeping his distance - probably fearing I was turning in to a werewolf.  I rounded a corner and spied the counter with the cash register, with a very young man standing behind it. In the only voice I could muster up, I said, "I need a trash can!" The employee just stared at me for a moment, and said, "For what?" with a distrusting look on his face.

At this point, I could not wait any longer. I saw the trashcan behind the distrusting employee, and made a mad-dash OVER the counter. I hovered over that trashcan for a good 3 minutes while every last bit of my insides emptied themselves on top of purchase receipts and product packaging. When it was finally over, I slowly got to my feet and looked at the young employee. An utterly horrified look replaced his distrusting gaze, and he ran from behind the counter as fast as his skinny little legs would let him.

My significant other was standing across the counter with a concerned, but amused look on his face. He kindly said, "I'll go get someone to take care of that trash can."

When all was said and done, and I had apologized up and down to a very kind and understanding store manager, I really did feel physically better! I made sure to purchase a spare toothbrush and toothpaste before I left, and cleaned myself up in the store restroom. As embarrassed as I was during the entire debacle, I really felt sorry for that poor, young boy standing behind the cosmetics counter. I never saw him again, and I often wonder if he opted for a new career path.

It is also with a big chuckle that I can look back at this incident and see the chaotic humor. In that instance, as well as others, I learned that while much of the general public may not understand our disease, they WILL deal with it, whether they want to or not!

I hope sharing my story will help you take a look at your own embarrassing struggles with this disease, and find the humor. I hope it will help you to remember that despite these pitfalls, life does go on, and we survive the most awkward of moments.

I invite you to share your funny story! Remember, you can post anonymously in the comments if you don't wish to be known. How do you feel now that you look back on it?