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Shut In – Poetry by a two time cancer survivior

July 19th, 2011 | Posted by mllblog in Cancer Patients | Poetry by Cancer Survivors - (0 Comments)

Shut In

It isn’t the weakness and sickness so much

Nor is it the staring at food that’s untouched

Not even the wondering if we will win

And whether I’ll finish the race that is mine.

Today it’s the knowledge of life going on

Outside the small world of my invalid bed

 I used to be part of in days before this

But now feel shut off from, unable to help

To meet and to work with, to be knitted in

So used to a value that’s based on my deeds

Get out, make a difference, do wonders for God.

Well now it’s not possible, just can’t be done.

Accept and adapt to this other existence

Is all I can do, find my worth in myself

It’s not what I do but it’s who I can be

 

Has your cancer experience inspired you to write about it?

Another poetry piece by Lynette

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I Wouldn’t Go Back – poetry by a two time cancer survivor

June 21st, 2011 | Posted by mllblog in Cancer Patients | Poetry by Cancer Survivors - (0 Comments)

I Wouldn’t Go Back to me without Cancer

 

Before I had cancer I had no idea

How precious this life is

How fragile and fleeting

That all for some cells not behaving themselves

Can be snuffed out and finished

Like blowing a match

 

Before I had cancer I had no idea

How people can rally

And gather around you

Compassion, encouragement, meals and prayer,

Fresh food from the garden

Surrounded by care

 

Before I had cancer I had no idea

What strength lay within me

Deposit of power

Available now as much as I need

To  find in the battle

My peace and my joy

 

Before I had cancer I had no idea

How deeply involved

In each other we are

The sweet bonds of love binding us all together

A glimpse of God’s heaven

Right here on earth

 

Don’t take it for granted, you’re not here for ever

This beautiful world

And the wonder of life

Cancer has shown me just how great my love is

I can only be grateful

And never look back

Another piece by Lynette. Has your experience with cancer inspired you to write?  Post your comments.

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Unfair – poetry by a two time ovarian cancer survivor

June 14th, 2011 | Posted by mllblog in Cancer Patients | Poetry by Cancer Survivors - (1 Comments)

We’re starting a new feature on our blog with poetry written by cancer patients. Here’s the first one from Lynette.

Unfair

I have cancer, he does not

Until now forever one

Common life, we plan our future

With each other all the way

Cancer comes and draws a line

Separating him and me

 

I have cancer, he does not

All the focus goes on me

I’m the patient, he the carer

Doctors, scans, reports and treatment

All about my precious health

No-one asking how he is

 

I have cancer, he does not

He’s supportive, loving, patient

But it’s thrust now in our faces

That which couples always know

But they never want to look at

Death will surely part our ways

 

I have cancer, he does not

Not for us the sweet forgetting,

of the imminence of death

Every joy and love in this life

Now accompanied by this -

One day it will be no more

 

I have cancer, he does not

Feelings now are sharp as knives

Deeper love means deeper wounding

As I cherish every moment

Every look and voice and gesture

All unutterably dear

 ———

Lynette was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 08, at the age of 64. She had an operation and went on chemo for 6 months. It recurred in November 2010, and she is now going through her second lot of chemo. The poetry has been written since her recurrence, and the mylifeline site has been a great chance to share it with friends and family.

If you would like to submit a poem for our blog, please email blog@mylifeline.org with your poem and a short bio.

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The History Behind MyLifeLine.org Cancer Foundation

May 24th, 2011 | Posted by mllblog in Cancer Centers/Cancer Nonprofits | Cancer Patients | Caregivers/Friends and Family | MyLifeLine.org News - (0 Comments)

By Marcia Donziger, our Founder and Executive Director

I was 27 and thought I had a bladder infection.  Turned out to be a tumor on my right ovary. 

At first, my gynecologist was not concerned. 

“Could it be cancer?” I worried. 

“No”, she replied, “You’re too young to have cancer.”

I was married and trying to get pregnant at the time, so I scheduled surgery immediately to get it over with.  The doctor assured me the worst that could happen is I’d lose one ovary, and still be able to have children.  She was confident the tumor was benign.

On surgery day, I was wheeled into the pre-op room.  That’s when the medical assistant approached me with a legal form to sign, agreeing to the potential of having a hysterectomy.  My doctor and I never discussed this.

Five hours later, the surgery was over, and I was in the recovery room.  My body thrashed around in pain, and I still felt knives stabbing throughout my stomach and back.

That’s when my doctor broke the news. “I’m sorry, but you have Ovarian Cancer.  We had to do a complete Hysterectomy.”

Through the pain, I heard, “You have cancer.  You can’t have children.” 

The irony was that my doctor was six months pregnant.  Her belly at my eye level felt like multiple stabs in the heart.

Stage 3c Ovarian Cancer spread throughout my abdomen.  Infertility.  Followed by a bowel obstruction.  And six months of chemotherapy. 

One of things I struggled with most was keeping friends and family up-to-date with what was going on.  I felt the daily burden of not communicating effectively with those I loved who were so concerned. 

In 2007, I founded MyLifeLine.org to help all cancer patients and caregivers easily communicate with friends and family during the treatment process.  MyLifeLine.org Cancer Foundation believes a strong support community is critical for cancer patients.  We provide free, personal websites to cancer patients and caregivers to easily connect with family and friends, because no patient should ever feel alone. Learn more at www.mylifeline.org.

I would love to hear how an experience you’ve had with cancer inspired you to do something in the fight against cancer. Please share your comments.

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