I am sure some of you have gone through cancer treatment at some point in your life. All of us know of friends or family who have been through this as well. It is my understanding that it is not a pleasant experience for anyone to go through. In many cases it does extend life for several years and more sometimes. This poem is for an extended family member who has gone through cancer treatment and is now doing well. I wrote this at the time, but decided to wait to publish it.
“She lost her hair today;”
A sad message indeed.
We knew it was going to happen;
But reality makes it more intense.
Toxic mess dripping into her veins
Cuts hair off at the roots…
Lets it slid off in bunches in her hands.
It must be an awful blow to one’s self
A most humbling external loss.
Makes us realize what sacrifice it takes
For her to go on living
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
I am posting this for Open link night at d’Verse Poets Pub. It was great to see some of you on the live meeting this afternoon. I am not sure why my microphone would not work. This is the poem I would have read. I will try a different laptop next time and see if that helps.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com then click the Mr. Linky box to read more poems.
I am glad it ended well.. that hair loss is something that both signals the battle for living as well as the suffering of sickness
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Yes, she is not getting it back again! Thank you for you comment.
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Missed you reading this Dwight. It takes courage to not give up, but instead to battle this brutal disease. The battle itself is brutal, but the will to live is strong. Glad for the positive result.
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Yes, we are thankful she is doing well. It was great seeing you today. Thanks for you comments.
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A very moving poem, Dwight. My sister fought her cancer to the end and in the end the treatment rather than the cancer killed her. She never complained even when she lost her hair. She was so stoical and brave and a fine example of how to live.
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It must be an awful attack on ones self esteem. The physical loss is huge. Thank you so much for sharing you story with us. I am so sorry for your loss!
Dwight
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I’m so sorry for the loss of your sister, Ingrid!
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Thank you, Merril. It will soon be five years but I haven’t really come to terms with it yet.
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I can’t imagine how I’d feel if one of my sisters died.
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I cut my husband’s sister’s beautiful dark brown hair when she started chemo about 18 years ago. Our tears fell to the ground with it. Three years of fighting a battle she did not win, but she lay in her coffin with her own beautiful dark brown hair. Cancer is so horribly sad!
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A very sad story indeed. Cancer is a real menace. A lot of folks fight it for years. I have a niece who only lasted five years.
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This one hit home. I lost my mother to cancer last year after she’d successfully fought it initially.
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Thank you Liz.. So sorry for your loss!
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Thank you, Dwight. It’s been tough.
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I am sure it has…
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How very thoughtful, and your poem is beautiful.
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Thank you very much! I appreciate your kind comment.
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My pleasure, Roth!
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Glad your loved one has a strong spirit. Powerful poem for them, Dwight.
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Thanks Lisa. Yes so am I. She is hanging in there!
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This is heartwrenchingly poignant, Dwight!
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Thank you so much! Reality is sometimes that way!
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Very touching Dwight … I wrote this for a dear friend, but sadly she lost her battle…
A Friend
do you have a friend
who’s bound in a cocoon
living on eggshells
broken by sickly X-ray beams
their life’s a virtual hell
and for whom you want to scream
unconditionally you’ve given your love
now they’re tired
waiting for help
from above
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Very heart-wrenching indeed Ivor. It is so sad to see them suffer and living on the edge and feeling helpless to do anything to help or change the situation. Thank you for sharing!
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Yes that helplessness is an awful feeling…
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Indeed!
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Yes, I have a dear friend who is losing her battle day-by-day with cancer. It’s a cruel disease! I long for the day when there is a cure.
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It is very sad how it eat away at life! That will be a great day!
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Yes, indeed… a cure for cancer and a cure for this virus. I pray for both daily! ❤ ❤
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Absolutely beautifully written, Dwight. 🙂
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Thank you so much Jeff!
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You touched upon a sensitive topic. Mastectomy and loss of hair takes away a woman’s self-esteem more than any other health loss. There is someone in a cancer hospital here, who makes wigs from the patient’s own hair free-of-cost.
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It is sad that it touches so many lives. I can’t begin to imagine what women must feel and go through when this happens. The wigs for patients is a great gift. Thank you so much for sharing!
dwight
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Cancer is a tough one, Dwight, and so many battle with this disease. Hair loss is an additional kick in the teeth. It’s a hard-hitting poem and it was sensitive of you to hold back with publishing it.
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Thank you Kim! It becomes a very personal thing that needs to be handled carefully. Thank you for your comments.
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I celebrated my 5 year cancer free anniversary in Sept 2010.
I understand some of what your family member is going through.
She has my prayers, (((HUGS))), best wishes and ❤ . 🙂
(((HUGS))) to you for writing such a beautiful heart-touching poem!
PS…My paternal grandfather, my Dad, and my oldest sister all battled cancer. They did well and had a respite of some years…but then eventually cancer popped up again in another part of their bodies and they didn't survive the second go round. 😦
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Thank you so much for sharing. I am very glad you have remained cancer free. It is a very difficult thing to go through for everyone involved, but especially for the person who has it. I am glad your family members were able to gain a few years with care and treatment! Hugs to you as well!
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A powerful poem delaying the publication of which was probably wise
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Thank you Derrick! I believe you are right. It is a very sensitive and personal topic.
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Very moving, Dwight. I’m sorry you had technical issues and we couldn’t hear you read it. I’m happy that your relative is doing Ok now.
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Thank you so much.
It was great to see all of you. I am going to try a head set for the next one and see if that works.
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A beautiful picture and thoughtful piece and poignantly evoked poem 💛💛💛🙏
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Thank you so much! It is a very emotional situation for everyone!
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You’re very welcome
It is indeed.
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My duaghter-in-law was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer 7 years ago at the age of 37. At the time, she had a 5 year old, a 3 year old, and an 18 month old. I was there helping out when her hair began to fall out. My son cut it close to the scalp for her. Two days later, she asked me to shake out their sheets and pillowcases from the tiny hairs that were all over them and she had my son shave her head that night. I am thrilled to tell you she is a survivor – a walking miracle for this most severe form of breast cancer. Your poem is a powerful one – for anyone who has suffered or is suffering from cancer; for someone who knows an individual who has gone through this; and for those who simply wonder what it must be like. A very powerful write. I’m glad you tell a story of survival.
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Thank you Lillian for your wonderful story of strength and recovery! I appreciate you sharing this. So glad to hear she survived and is doing well.
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My sister-in-law was treated for ovarian cancer. She lost all of her hair but it grew back thicker than before. She died some 30 years later of natural causes. Her doctors were amazed and attributed her being cured to her positive attitude.
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An amazing story! That is wonderful. Thank you for sharing this.
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I felt it worthy to share that there can be hope for cancer patients.
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Yes, I also have a close friend who went through the Chemo and is now on his way to recovery. Thank You.
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So thankful she is doing well. I would be happy to make a chemo hat for her. I have lots of yarn since I am the leader of the Hearts & Hands Ministry at my church. Hope to catch you in person on 11/10/2020.
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Thank you so much for your kind offer! She is doing well at the moment and her hair is back. She is finished with Chemo so hopefully she won’t need a hat. Thank you. Looking forward to seeing you on the 10th. Just ask for me when you come in.
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Bless you for posting this beautiful poem …. I’ve seen more than several friends and family thru cancer. Thankfully, most survived and I mourn those that did not.
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Thank you Helen! You are a very special person to take that journey with them… and I am sorry for you losses as well.
Dwight
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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My heart goes out to alll! lovely Dwight!
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Thank you Cindy. Not all are so fortunate to recover.
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So true Dwight. Prayers and light and love all around! ❤️🎃🎃🎃🎃🙏
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I saw my mother take that treatment. As your sensitive poem mentions so well, it is toxin dripping (or consumed as per the treatment) and the result is very painful on the person. Loss of hair can be mentally scarring for an individual, especially if you have carefully tended that hair through your lifetime. There are also many more terrifying side effects. It takes tremendous courage to withstand the treatment and the disease and be victorious. My mother too did that and defeated the disease!
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I am so glad to hear your mother overcame and is doing well. I appreciate your sharing this difficult time in you lives with us. I appreciate your comments.
dwight
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Our next-door neighbors’ toddler has been undergoing treatments for cancer for about a year. He is just about finished and his test results are good. His mother showed us last night that his hair is beginning to come back! ❤ Thanks Dwight for sharing the poem.
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That is good to hear. I hope he continues to stay healthy. Thank you for sharing.
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Such a heartfelt poem! Yet, this is a reality. Thank you for sharing!
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You are welcome… Thank you so much!
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You’re most welcome!
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