Famed actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus always knows how to stay positive! The Veep star and comedian recently battled breast cancer, and during her latest public appearance, she shared that laughter helped her get through that very difficult time in her life.

“Last year, I was lucky enough to get an Emmy award for my performance on Veep, which was an incredible thrill — and it set some kind of a record for most the Emmys by somebody for doing something or other. Then, about 12 hours later, I was diagnosed with cancer, another hilarious turn of events. I’m only half-kidding, of course. Cancer isn’t at all funny, but a big part of dealing with it has been finding the funny moment,” Julia shared during her speech on Sunday, Oct. 21 when she accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Julia was first diagnosed with cancer in September 2017 and as of October 2018, she is in remission. While on stage, she reflected on the importance of being funny during tough situations. “The old cliché about laughter being the best medicine turns out to be true,” Julia continued. “When I was getting my hideous chemotherapy, I’d cram a bunch of family and friends into this tiny treatment room with me, and we really did have some great laughs. Of course, I was heavily medicated and slipping in and out of consciousness, so I was probably a pretty easy audience, but my point is that laughter is a basic human need, along with love and food and an HBO subscription.”

Julia tearfully concluded, “There’s no situation — none — that isn’t improved with a couple of laughs. Everybody needs laughs. The fact that I have had the opportunity to make people laugh for a living is one of the many blessings that I have received in my life.” We’re so glad she’s feeling better today!