An Empowering Cancer Poem...
The Cancer ABC's

Here's a cancer poem for inspiration, during those challenging times...

A is for Anger, because you might just be a little angry about your diagnosis. A is also for Apathy, because at times, you may not feel like doing anything. Finally, A is for Anticipation, because you know all the bad stuff won't last forever.

B is for Best friends. Everybody needs best friends. Especially now.

C is for cancer, but it’s also for CAN. Remember that.

D is for Disruptive Disease, and, obviously, for Death, which is clearly not an option.

E is for Enlightenment, because you are bound to learn a lot about yourself during your downtime. E is for empowerment, because you know you can get through this. E is also for Excitement at knowing you just completed your last round of chemo. GOOD for you!!!

F is for Finally it’s over!!!

G is for Guts, unless they were removed during surgery. You’ve got to have guts to get through this.

H is for Help Me Please, because sometimes you need to ask for help. It’s a good thing.

I is for Inspiration. Inspire your kids, inspire your friends and inspire yourself to keep on going even if you feel like you just swallowed a bucket of glue.

J is for Joy. Be happy. Just do it.

K is for Knitting. You probably don’t want to do this.

L is for Lethargy, because you will have days when you can’t get up. That's what beds, sofas, and overstuffed beanbag chairs are for.

M is for Mom. Everyone with cancer needs a mom. If you don’t have one, find a stand-in.

N is for Naughty. When you’re feeling up to it, get out there and do something slightly questionable. Be creative and blame someone else. Cancer patients are angels - you'll never get caught.

O is for Optimism.

P is for Puppy. Puppies are a tremendous source of comfort during cancer.

Q is for Questions. Ask them.

R is for Remission and Revenge. On a particularly bad day, go for it.

S is for Sunshine. Bask in it once in a while. S is also for Sulk. Try not to.

T is for Typhoid Fever, which you don’t have, and which can have a far worse outcome than cancer.

U is for U know U can Get through it.

V is for Vacation. Take one just as soon as you can.

W is for Wallowing. Do this daily, but only for short periods of time. Set a timer, then focus on self-pity. When the timer rings, knock it off.

X is for X Cancer Patient, which will be you before you know it.

Y is for Y is this Happening to Me? Just don’t spend too much time thinking about this one. It won’t get you anywhere.

Z is for Zebra, silly. :-)

Why I Wrote this Cancer Poem

Like my "I Put the Can in Cancer" book, I hope this cancer poem will help to keep your focus on all the things you CAN do, despite the new challenges you face!

All the best,

Imogen Gough

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