This is from a book called The Cancer Poetry Project, edited by Karin B. Miller. I don't have the book yet, but we saw this in a magazine down at the radiation lab. It made me want to jump up and shout when I read it.
"The Cancer Patient Talks Back" (excerpt)
by Molly Redmond
No.
I don't want to hear about your uncle
and how he lived three years
after being diagnosed.
And I don't want to hear
how many times your cousin threw up when she had
chemo.
Nor how your neighbor's baby
had twelve toes
maybe from radiation.
...the only person I want to hear about
is your Grandma Ruth,
who was diagnosed at fifty
and died at ninety,
skydiving.
Otherwise,
hold your tongue.
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3 comments:
...ok, you asked for it:
1. My Grandma, diagnosed with throat cancer early 60s, fought it and won, lived to be 94 and died - no, not skydiving, but peacefully of old age.
2. My aunt beat breast cancer in her early 50s, lived well into her 80s, again, died of peaceful old age.
3. My best friend's mum had colon cancer about 8 years ago, great surgery, no colostomy, and has been cancer free ever since. Now she'd be the one to go skydiving!!
4. My Granny on my mom's side...Born 1899, diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40's, lived to be a healthy 88 or 89, (with all her marbles intact, so had the sense to never jump out of a moving airplane!)
Clem, congrats to you for being an overcomer! We aren't just survivors, we are more than that (smile). I got your link from one of your friends on facebook, by the way. I TOTALLY get what you are saying in this post! And, my friend, you and I WILL be two of those that will be on the Today Show's Smucker's Jelly Jar at the ripe old age of 100! So, go ring the bell!
Reenie
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