This is a poem from the book Trilogy of Cancer–the Jolt, the Journey, the Joy. I put it together during my first bout of breast cancer; I filled it with songs written to familiar tunes; poetry; and things to do. Now I’m in my fourth bout with cancer and it still holds true.
—-
I Decide
—
I marched in
halfway through
three months of
treatments and
said with authority
“You said Taxol
would be easier.
It isn’t.”
—
they listened
—
“Today” my voice
was clear. “Today
I want copies of
everything: blood
pressure, temperature,
blood work numbers
everything
—
they gave them
to me
—
“Today is different”
I told calm doctor
as if he didn’t know
“You tell me if it’s
a ‘go’ for today’s
treatment
—
but then you need
to sell me again
on why i’m
doing this
—
give me statistics
name my options
say your best judgment
—
and then
then I’ll decide
if it’s a ‘go'”
—
he did that
—
I decided to
keep going
but on that day
I claimed strength
and power and
control
—
I never let go
of them again
For more information about the Trilogy of Cancer: CLICK HERE
