How Can You NOT Laugh at a Time Like This?: Reclaim Your Health with Humor, Creativity, and Grit

by Carla Ulbrich

Having a sense of humor is essential to health, says singer-songwriter Carla Ulbrich, who has found laughter to be a lifesaver during tough times. Under the stress of multiple illnesses and constant health ''care,'' Ulbrich one day snapped and became the Singing Patient. She channeled her hard won victories, set about reclaiming her health, and penned How Can You NOT Laugh at a Time Like This? , a collection of short, inspiring, funny essays that help people thrive and celebrate life despite illness. As Ulbrich spins her tale (and shares some songs), she lampoons common fears and prejudices about illness and lovingly lambastes the foibles of the medical industry. She offers heartfelt and humorous advice for navigating mainstream and alternative therapies, and she guides partners, families, and friends who wish to help their loved ones. Her candid insights, wisecracking commentary, handy lists, hilarious song lyrics, and gentle camaraderie will put a smile on the face of anyone who wants to face illness with courage and humor.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Health

219 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2011

About the author

Carla Ulbrich is a comical singer-songwriter / humorous author from Clemson, South Carolina and currently living in New Jersey. Insert your own punchline here.

Carla has a love of wordplay and a keen observational eye. She is primarily known for her humorous songs about such topics as wedgies, Waffle House, Klingons, and how rich she would be if she had the copyright on the 'F' Word. Something of a mix between Phoebe and Jeff Foxworthy, she cites her biggest musical influences as Sesame Street, camp songs, and commercial jingles for cat food.

Since 1997, the Professional Smart Aleck has been touring all over the US and England, has appearing on USA TV, the BBC, Dr. Demento, and The Bob and Sherrie Show and at venues such as the Falcon Ridge and Kerrville Folk Festivals, Club Med, Eddie's Attic, and the Bluebird Cafe.

In 2002, Carla fell very ill with kidney failure and a stroke. As part of her recovery, she wrote a bunch of humorous medical songs lampooning her frustrating experience with the US health care system, resulting in the CD "Sick Humor."

Feb. 1, 2011 saw the release of Carla's first full-length non-fiction book of humorous essays about those same medical adventures entitled "How Can You NOT Laugh at a Time Like This?" (pub: Tell Me Press).

She continues to tour all over the place, but now also includes on her calendar appearances for patient, caregiver, nurse, and doctors' conventions.
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Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for those with a chronic illness, or those who may encounter someone with one. The author is a singing comic who also has Lupus and Fibromyalgia. For her list of things not to say to the patient alone I'd recommend this to anyone.

[Jeanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, as we know there are a ton of Chronic Illnesses and various levels of each disease. That being said there are also varying degrees of humor needed to get thru our days, ranging from below G-rated to the extreme macabre and obscene.

Carla does a nice job at touching on many issues. One might label it as 'cute.' This is the book you pick up and read when your humor meter is on the OJ scale, meaning you could use a shot of OJ to raise your blood sugar a bit. This is NOT the book for you if you are in need of a double shot of espresso or heaven forbid Fireball, Grey Goose, Jack Daniels, an old friend name Jose Cuervo... you get where I'm going. In that case we'll need to defer to a more brash author or go laugh at horrible memes on Facebook, whatever floats your boat.

[T. Ngan · Rating 4 out of 5]

ชอบอ่านหนังสือ เล่าประสบการณ์ของคนไข้ ช่วยให้หมออย่างเรา ได้รู้ ได้เห็น มุมมองที่เราอาจไม่เคยเห็นมาก่อน

ผู้เขียน มีทั้งอารมณ์ขัน และปากจัด ผสมปนเปกันไป จนผมไม่แน่ใจว่า ถ้าเป็นหมอของเธอ จะถูกชำแหละยังไงเหมือนกัน

ได้รู้ มุมของคนไข้ในสหรัฐฯ ที่ต้องใช้บริการทางการแพทย์ แบบ Medicare หรือ ที่เธอเรียกว่า คนไข้อนาถา เพราะเธอไม่มีประกัน

ชอบความจริงใจ ความมีเหตุมีผล แม้ในฐานะหมอจะไม่เห็นด้วยกับเธอทั้งหมด เช่น เรื่องแพทย์ทางเลือก , เรื่องดีท็อกซ์ ,เรื่องคีเลชั่น เป็นต้น แต่เรื่องการกินยานี่โอเคเลย

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really expecting to be laughing out loud as I read this book and to be honest I wasn't. I found myself chuckling at certain points and smiling and thinking "hey Carla, you hit the nail right on the head with that one!!" but perhaps that is because I could totally relate to what she had to say. Carla uses sarcastic humor to make numerous points throughout the book and she does an excellent job in doing so which makes this book such a light, fun read for me. Having to deal with A Headache for 11 years and being a sarcastic person myself, she allowed me to sit back and smile and enjoy a humorous look at my medical issue. From the person who doesn't believe she "looks sick" to the endless times she has to repeat her entire medical history for every doctor she sees, I was smiling and finding someone who I could totally agree with. She does have some good serious points in the book and thank you Carla for the 10+ things to say when dealing with a serious illness- sometimes our emotions take over and we don't know what to say. All said and done, a good book if you're dealing with medical issues or know someone who is. The books doesn't have to be read all at one time and it's a light read. I thought it was a fun read and one that I will share with others that are faced with medical issues.
Quote: "Once you've got a chronice illness, you feel like you yourself have a thousand faces, or at least three: one for the public (I'm fine), one for the doctor (I'm sick), and one for home (I'm me)".

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of the author Carla Ulbrich until I read her book, so I was a bit skeptical that a book about being sick could be funny. Well upon reading it there were often many instances that I had to literally stop reading for a bit because I was laughing so hard. She has a way of looking at things that are flat out funny, but more than that she gives the reader some very practical advice on how to maneuver thru the health care system that is invaluable.


There are ten chapters in this book, and each chapter is broken down into several mini-stories that deal with the topic the chapter covers, make this book easy to read. I actually read it from cover to cover, but then marked some of my favorite mini-stories to reread, such as the chapter about prednisone, or the one titled Disease Envy, where she shares a little ditty titled "On The Commode Again."


If the old adage is that laughter is the best medicine holds true then everyone should have a copy of this book. The cute cover really catches your eye but the stories inside not only inspire but because Ms. Ulbirch shares her stories anyone facing an illness will realize the things they face and the questions they have are normal. Whether your facing a personal illness or know someone who is, this book will certainly uplift and encourage.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top notch little book. Carla Ulbrich is a talented blogger and quirky thinker who also happens to have a chronic illness. This book she wrote is one of the most uplifting books on chronic illness I have read thus far. I love her honesty and humour and I really picked up some great tips from her on how to manage life with more ease, particularly in terms of record-keeping and dealing with tests and professionals. She has a lovely warm, light writing style - not at all heavy-handed, but not lacking in substance, either. Her sick joke songs were amusing... They say laughter is great medicine and this book gladdened my heart and also enabled me to see the gifts that come with rebuilding a life with health as priority one. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a chronic health issue. Subscribed to her blog, too! Carla, you have a new fan! Xo

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carla Ulbrich shares her personal journey through chronic illness, with a grace and humor that will surprise you! In fact, she's known as "The Singing Patient", writing songs about her experiences. Whether you suffer from a chronic illness, or love someone who does, this book will help remind you that you are not alone, and that someone who is ill can fight to regain mobility and quality of life. Inspiring! Read my full review here: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.act...

[Liz White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of her musical comedy CDs and this is her first book. If you know anyone with chronic disease, who has spent too much time in doctor offices, get them a copy of this book! Wise and funny. A quick read.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book for any one in a medical profession . . . see it from the patient's point of view.
also helped me learn a little compassion that was hiding.
think it would be encouraging for someone who is ill.

[James Giddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book,by a very funny author whom I first encountered as a writer of funny songs, helped me laugh my way through cancer. I recommend it to anyone who encounters the gritty underside (patient's-eye-view) of our "health care system"

[Ariane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first third of this book, then it kind of tanked for me...though there were some good bits at the end. It was a bit too piecemeal and too prescriptive for me. There were a lot of funny parts, but some sections seemed almost a bit condescending.

[Docaay · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of essasys so there was some repetition. A good reminder to keep a sense of humor during life's darker hours.

[erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will write more about this book at some point, but It was full of helpful information infused with wit and humor. I can see it being useful/helpful to anyone dealing with chronic illness.

[Deb Edelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. It helped me deal with my own disease.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have an illness or love some one with an illness read this book and laugh.