A Wind Storm On My Beach

Life is a beach but not too sunny when cancer comes along. The day it came to me, I never could imagine the obnoxious waves that would come rolling onto the beach I so enjoyed. With tests, surgery, eventual radiation treatments, and with each new rolling wave of depressing information, it plunged me deeper and deeper into despair. Being told the lump inside my breast was probably benign - then learning it was not. Being told I should not need chemo - then being told indeed, you do need chemo- you are “genetically at risk.” Each wave was one of helplessness, uncertainty, and dread. Turning down chemo and opting “only” for my 34 days of radiation was not what my surgeon desired, but I am considered now a survivor, albeit one who whose next possible encounter with a wind storm would be that of an encounter with a tsunami. I plant on my beach now beautiful trees with fruits' nourishment to combat rare effects of unnecessary treatments in my storm's aftermath. However, I thank God for the sage advice of the few professionals who counseled me intelligently in the time of my wind storm and also in its aftermath, and I thank God for every sunny day on my beach. May 28, 2019 For The "Topic of Cancer" Poetry Contest of Craig Cornish