poetry ~ one in two canadians

I submitted this poem to CBC’s 2018 poetry competition, but it wasn’t selected.  Instead I’d like to share it here with you … one in two canadians my breast whispered i am one in eight i can’t do this i reply back to lay awake poking at the lump staring at my white popcorn ceiling…

Haves & Have Nots

     “I might have cancer.” It was nine months ago on March 6th when my GP called me to say I had an appointment with a surgeon ASAP.  They didn’t say the “C” word, but that was the huge thought bubble in everyone’s head.  I poked mine with a pen and burst it, putting off…

December 1st

I am determined to cherish each day of one of my favourite months … December.  While I don’t scrapbook much any longer, I want to use Ali Edward’s class to help me refocus on living each day as it comes. December Daily Last year at this time, I was frantically busy raising thousands and thousands…

Venus, Mars or the Storm on Jupiter?

Caution!  This blog post contains photos of my breast burned by radiation. Radiation from the Sun.  Radiation Oncology.  Radiation burns. I have almost completed 20 rounds of radiation to my right breast … the final steps in my Triple Negative Breast Cancer treatment plan.  The first 16 rounds of dose dense radiation were beamed into…

Toasted Marshmallows

Remember when life was simple and easy?  Being a kid was a kaleidoscope of bright, shiny colours drenched in happy faces.  Each day was more exquisite than the last … and years lasted FOREVER.  Everything was as unspoiled as a newly minted penny.  And you thought you were the brightest one. Life was an endless…

Me VS Everything

If God wants to bring me to my knees, He knows what to do. A critically ill child. He can do anything to me.  Throw anything at me.  I keep getting knocked down.  I keep getting back up. But don’t touch my kid. I couldn’t handle that.  However, who am I to choose?  Those other…

Collateral Damage

I guess now is a good time to discuss the changes cancer has made to my skin. It’s been 55 days since my last chemo infusion. Some studies suggest that I have been kicked ahead in time 10-15 years at the molecular level.  These studies conclude that markers of ageing, such as decreased leukocyte telomere…

I Can’t Get No Satisfaction … While in Radiation

I saw the Firefighter this morning … watching all those muscles pop made my day!  Rugged.  Strong.  Big.  Sigh.  He is honestly the hottest guy ever.  Makes me weak at the knees. Am I not allowed a little bit of male adoration as I head to the Durham Region Cancer Centre for Radiation number 5…

You Are Getting Sleepy …

Hypnosis has always seemed like a parlour trick for comedians.  Years ago, I went to Yuk Yuk’s with friends and watched them make dicks (literally) of themselves on stage while under hypnosis.  My friend Terri and I both said “OK, there is no way I could be hypnotized!” Then I sent her this video.  We…

Set Phasers to Stun

Do you know how rain gets into rain clouds?  It’s not just a matter of warm air rising into the sky and condensing.  How does the water find (or make) the cloud?  Charge.  It doesn’t just float around up there. Water may very well have a 4th phase. water gel ice vapour If you have…

Sticks & Stones

Do you remember that childhood chant? Sticks and stones May break my bones … But words will never hurt me. Even when I said it as a child, I didn’t believe it. Words hurt. They cut to the bone and lodge themselves deep within.  They do permanent and lasting damage. CANCER. Is a terrifying word….

Little Blue Dots

I’m in the final leg of my breast cancer journey. Today I went for my radiation consult & planning session.  My Radiation Oncologist Dr. IQ* went through the risks, plans, pros/cons again and had me sign the consent form.  I have a 30% chance of breast cancer reocurrance without radiation … 10% chance with.  I’m…