A brief background before I share a poem that my 12 year old daughter wrote for her 7th grade English class assignment. I was first diagnosed in 2007. She has watched me progress from stage 1 all the way to stage 4. She has been there for all the surgeries, radiation, hospitalizations and now immune therapy. She has seen and been a part of all of this. Her poem came as a shock to me and completely blew me away. I feel compelled to share it with all of you.
Cancer is a Journey
By Anna Bjorklund
Cancer is a journey with only two possible endings. It's unpredictable and deadly. The path is narrow and bending. It's so easy to give up, and full-on quit pretending.
To fight it you need endless strength and impossible perseverance. For it's a road trip of great length and a tragic, cruel experience.
The first sign of it is shocking. It's something you just can't understand. Not until you hear death knocking, do you know what's truly at hand.
But by then it's much too late. Now you know you're out of time. The journey is all done, you're Home. There's no more ladder left to climb.
There are many rule to this battle by which you must abide. First, you must give up your normal life and set your dreams aside. Because deep inside, you know someday, there'll be nowhere left to hide.
It's tiresome and pointless, killing something you can't see. For every puzzle piece restored, twice as many disappear. Those who have lived this life agree; that the only hope we need is that there lies relief somewhere.
But the paint won't last forever. Someday it'll all be gone. This earthly body will turn to dust, but my new heavenly body will feel no pain. In that I can trust.
My dad has melanoma. This poem comes straight from my heart. When he was young, he didn't use sunscreen. Sharing this poem helps me do MY part!
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