And speaking of comas, I'd like to finally welcome everyone back to Johnny's world after a long and unhappy hiatus. Just after Christmas 2021, I took my wife Kathy to a standard medical appointment related to her ongoing leukemia therapy. Unfortunately, the appointment turned out not to be so "standard" after all and she was immediately admitted to the hospital for more months of brutal chemotherapy...which failed.
When there was no more medical hope, Kathy and I moved to a hospice facility (I'd been living with her in the hospital and continued living with her in hospice) where she died 15 days later.
"Well!" some people might say, "Making fun of sick people isn't so funny NOW, is it?"
And my answer would be that I'm NOT "making fun of sick people" and never have been. Rather, I'm commenting on the sad fact that we're all largely helpless when Life chooses to beat the living snot out of us, but we can laugh a bit just to keep our sanity and bedevil the forces which attack us.
From that perspective, making fun of Life's cruelty and celebrating our sometimes feckless efforts to cope is still about as funny as it ever was...and so Johnny Optimism is here to stay.
For years I tried to avoid jokes related to cancer because I didn't feel I had the right to go there - I hadn't personally paid the dues. Now I have, in spades, so even that sad topic is on the table now. Because I want to mock cancer and laugh at it as an act of defiance. I want to celebrate the people (most certainly including readers here) who may be seriously ill but hang on to their sense of humor like a life preserver.
And yes, Kathy gave me approval to move forward in this direction. She was my perfect woman and soulmate and I miss her terribly. Mocking illness, death, and hospital protocol is my odd way of trying to heal.
During the past weeks, I posted a couple of Johnny Cartoons on my other blog, StiltonsPlace.com, and just to get everything tidied up I'm copying those cartoons below. Moving forward I'll try to supply fresh cartoons on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday again - and hope you'll join us here! -Stilton
13 comments:
God bless you, Mr. Stilton, and thank you for Johnny. I didn't realize how important to me he was until he went on sabbatical. I pray you find your peace in the days ahead.
As a cancer patient I have to say there are times your attitude is all you have. Keep Johnny going and God Bless.
Thank you for putting smiles on so many faces when smiles are hard to come by.
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Mr. Stilton, condolences on your loss. Losing a loved one is never easy.
I've been a disabled Vet since I was 19. I'm now approaching my mid '60's. It's nothing major but it was enough to derail my military career.
I also have another disability that totally ruined my life, my marriage and my family. I've been dealing with that for over 30 years.
It would be easy to get down. And yes,there are rough days. But I never quit. I never stop putting one foot in front of the other. It's not in me to quit.
I greatly appreciate Johnny and his humor.
Everything you do is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I can relate to your troubles. I am watching the woman I have been married to slowly lose her battle with ALS. I have a medical background so I know what the end result will be. I have followed your cartoons for five years and got the two books as well.
Keep your head up and work on. Your wife was right...you need to march on.
My most sincere condolences on your loss. My wife is a colon cancer survivor. Your comics have never been mocking or condescending. They have brought laughter, and often comfort, to many at a time when laughter has been hard to find. Thank you.
Glad Johnny is back!!!
Welcome back Mr. Cheese. The world needs a good laugh.
My deepest sympathies. Two of my best friends and father both battled and lost to cancer. As you have shown so well, laughter can keep you going when so much else is lost. Thank you.
Just saw this one, Stilt, and I’m glad you are determined to make fun of cancer.
On my dad’s last day, his Jamaican hospice nurse asked if he was having any pain. When he didn’t answer and thinking he did not understand her accent I asked, “Dad, do you have any pain?” He looked at me and pointed. I laughed like a jackass. I still miss my dad but now when I do, I always think of the moment when he made his leaving just a little less painful for me.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
My mother often said that it is better to laugh than to cry.
My heartfelt condolences. I visit here to rarely but when I do you always make me laugh and laughter - as they say - is the best medicine.
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