Jan Allison Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Breast Cancer Scars

Cancer ravaged your body; your breast was removed 
The alien growth that threatened your life was banished
Chemotherapy followed and it made you so so ill
You fought back so bravely and won the battle 
Eventually, after a year, you had reconstruction surgery
It left you with physical and mental scars but it made you feel complete
Then you told me you were getting a tattoo
I was surprised, as I knew you really disliked them…
But this one was different 
You had a nipple tattooed where your nipple once had been
Now you felt like a woman again
Fifteen years on you are still a cancer survivor

Tribute to my friend Judy

Contest:- Beautiful Scars
Sponsor:-Laura Urbaniak
11~24~15

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Skat A November 28, 2015 at 2:17 PM WOW. Jan. Congratulations on your well-deserved win. Love SKAT Jan Allison November 28, 2015 at 2:22 PM Thanks SKAT she is an inspirational lady:-) hugs jan xx

Rizwana Bhurani November 28, 2015 at 10:15 AM very touching poem written with so much grace Jan Allison November 28, 2015 at 10:16 AM Thanks Rizwana she really is an inspirational lady:-) hugs Jan xx

Balveen Cheema November 26, 2015 at 12:14 PM Congrats on your win! So many are suffering from it. I have three immediate family members and two friends who are survors of breast cancer. They have gone through turbulent times.love, Balveen Jan Allison November 26, 2015 at 12:17 PM It is something very close to my heart as my maternal grandmother died from it when mum was aged 8:-( hugs jan xx

Michael Tor November 26, 2015 at 5:23 AM Touching write Jan congratulations on your win! Jan Allison November 26, 2015 at 6:34 AM Thanks Michael:-) hugs Jan xx

Dr. Upma A. Sharma November 26, 2015 at 4:04 AM Congrats on ur wonderful win Jan.. great pen! Jan Allison November 26, 2015 at 6:34 AM Thanks Dr Sharma:-) hugs Jan xx

Thomas Martin November 25, 2015 at 3:53 PM Lovely, Jan! Though sad for the poor lady! Glad she has recovered. Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 4:00 PM Thanks for dropping by Thomas:-) hugs Jan xx

Keith Bickerstaffe November 25, 2015 at 1:48 PM A story of courage and sacrifice... BRAVO to you friend who had to overcome great physical and psychological scarring. Very well done Jan! Best wishes, Keith a 7. Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 1:55 PM Thanks Keith - she is an inspiration to me should I ever be struck down with this vile disease ! :-) hugs Jan xx

Viv Wigley November 25, 2015 at 11:23 AM A tricky subject, but you nailed it, and a nice tribute to your friend. The tattoo I believe is common practice and almost risk free, and obviously makes a difference. In my case, since my surgery has failed and left me with an open abdominal wound, I can't get a tattoo, so I may stick something in there from that Anne Summers shop. Then if I ever get aroused, I'll be able to go water divining :) . Viv x Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 11:26 AM You do manage to find humour in everything Mr Viv and always raise a smile with me:-) hugs jan xx

Alexis Y. November 25, 2015 at 8:04 AM Jan, you have penned a good tribute piece in honor of your friend. The devastating disease hit my family a few years back. My sister in law(my sister's sister in law) was a fighter and she fought a good fight but she lost her battle to breast cancer. So kudos to for sharing your friends story of survival. Congratulations on your winning write it was well deserved:-) Alexis Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 8:13 AM Thanks Alexis I wrote this at the last minute and am so pleased it placed so well:-) hugs jan xx

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser November 25, 2015 at 6:39 AM These are some of the cases that I admire some women, I am as well worried when my two sisters where suspected to have one, glad that after biopsies and follow up it was concluded that its just a cyst, God bless your friend and you Jan! ~Olive Eloisa =`) Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 6:52 AM I've had breast lumps investigated Olive - my maternal grandmother died of breast cancer so it is something very close to my heart:-) hugs jan xx

Kayod5 Kayode November 24, 2015 at 10:39 PM This is beautiful,congrats on the win Jan...hugs Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 4:15 AM Thanks Kayod5:-) hugs Jan xx

Eve Roper November 24, 2015 at 8:41 PM What a great write! Congratulations on your win! Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 4:15 AM Thanks Eve I only penned it at the last minute and was delighted it placed so well:-) hugs Jan xx

Done Posting November 24, 2015 at 8:02 PM You have turned a scar into a thing of beauty and a gift for another. Thank you for being so considerate. Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 4:14 AM Thanks Falling raindrops:-) hugs jan xx

Laura Leiser November 24, 2015 at 7:30 PM Oh, this poem is so beautiful and touching, Jan! I know a few women who are battling breast cancer right now, so this reminded me of them. I pray they can defeat this awful disease. Congrats on your win :) Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 4:14 AM Cancer is what brought me to the site Laura in fact it was 2 years on Monday that my hubby had his surgery and I wrote my first poems since my schooldays:-) hugs Jan xx

Sandra Haight November 24, 2015 at 6:59 PM Beautiful and moving tribute to your friend, Jan. Congrats on your nice win. Hugs, Sandra Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 4:12 AM Thanks Sandra:-) hugs Jan xx

Ilene Bauer November 24, 2015 at 6:33 PM you've written a wonderful tribute to you friend. i'm sure many cancer survivors will be able to relate to this one, jan... Jan Allison November 25, 2015 at 4:12 AM Thanks Ilene :-) hugs jan xx

Tim Smith November 24, 2015 at 5:39 PM Awesome tribute to your friend Jan. Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 5:41 PM Thanks Tim - this is the only tattoo I would ever consider to have done - pray it never happens to me but there is breast cancer on mum's side of the family:-( hugs jan xx

Beautiful Scars November 24, 2015 at 5:09 PM Jan...congrats on your well deserved win in my first contest. I love it..:) -lu *smiles* Beautiful Scars November 24, 2015 at 9:10 PM I can see your passion in your delicate words. Your emotions and depth is what did it for me. Be blessed and thanks for entering my first contest ever!!! :)-lu *smiles* *congrats* Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 5:21 PM Oh wow I only wrote this tonight LU- I'm delighted with my win - cancer in general is a topic very close to my heart:-( Thank you so much:-) hugs Jan xx

Paul Callus November 24, 2015 at 3:03 PM A touching and emotional poem; people shy away from talking about this topic, but it is wise to be aware of it. Your friend is strong and brave; she is an example to others. You too did a great job with this entry:) Hugs // paul Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 3:08 PM I was stunned when she said she was getting a tattoo but I admire her so much for the reason why she had it done and she was delighted with the result - may be for cosmetic reasons but it made her 'feel' like a woman again :-) hugs Jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen November 24, 2015 at 2:02 PM - Just by hearing the word CANCER ..... I get goose bumps and makes me sick ...... - Great written to your friend Judy - hugs x 10 //Anne-Lise :) Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 2:07 PM It was 2 years yesterday that my hubby had his cancer surgery and I wrote my first poem 'splendid Isolation' hugs jan xx

Kevin Leake November 24, 2015 at 12:48 PM A great tribute Jan, Cancer is an awful disease!!!! I'm glad your friend survived her ordeal Best Wishes to you both Kevin Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 1:41 PM Thanks Kevin:-) hugs jan xx Kevin Leake November 24, 2015 at 1:25 PM Happy anniversary to you both, hope you are both well!! And congratulations to you for doing so well with your poetry Jan!! Best Wishes Kevin Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 12:52 PM I was amazed when she said she was getting one done - but it was vital for to have it done to make her feel and look like a woman again - guess if it was me I would probably have it done too :-) hugs jan xx Jan Allison November 24, 2015 at 12:52 PM Yesterday was the anniversary of my husband's cancer surgery and the day I wrote my first poem:-) Hugs Jan xx