Riding the Subway For Twenty-Five Days

To me, it was a revealing experience… That I could be that strong in face of adversity!               It came as a sudden shock..         There was no indication beforehand!               My health seemed fine…   I was totally engrossed in my teaching job..                       But it happened!         after a few days of intense physical exercise             I found my right leg swollen …       I blamed myself for being over-active! swelling did not go away even after resting for a week. had to see the doctor, who felt something hard and suspicious...            series of tests...ultra-sound, MRI..      inconclusive test-results...more investigation..              more specialized physicians .. ultimately it was determined that I had a rare disease..                          Sarcoma!              out of the blue...it happened!                           no clue perhaps because I was ignorant of the disease,                    I was not afraid...my reaction was - I had an almost blissful life,       At some point, everybody has to suffer..            God has been kind to me,       my children are grown-up, settled, and        I am proud of their achievements.                  my duties are done,  probably it's time for me to fade away! I had no idea I would survive this dreaded disease,      my daughter slept beside me on that night, she held my hands, and said - everything will be alright.            I completely believed her.  I was through radiation - calmly attended the sessions,           by myself for twenty-five days,         took the subway to the hospital downtown -         read an art history book while travelling.          had a surgery, the tumour was taken out...        the most renowned surgeon in Canada       operated, and there were no after-complications.       ten years have passed... many visits to the hospital            for check-up. every time a bit of stress..                  butterflies in my stomach,    but I am alright ...as my daughter convinced me -  I will be.   May 15, 2022   How You Live Or Have Been Healed From A Difficult And Challenging Health Condition Poetry Contest   Sponsor: Angela Tune   I wrote a poem "Ride In The Subway For Twenty-Five Days" in the beginning of my poetic journey. It Is posted on Page 4.