Life-threatening illnesses, like cancer and other diseases, change our life course.
Intro: The plans I had laid out for my future were smashed up against a brick wall in 2023. The wall of a disease that has been building slowly within my body, unbeknownst to me, for many years. I did not post poems during the months I was in the hospital, receiving treatment and recuperating from my battle with a disease.
Many life-changing decisions can be made once a disease interrupts our lives. Changes in relationships, career, physical ability, mental health, and faith, to name a few. Some existing values and beliefs are strengthened, and some are weakened and fall away and are replaced with new ones—some for the better, some for the worse. There are new challenges to face, such as memory pain that arises from the trauma. This is the one that stopped me in my tracks many times throughout my recovery.
I am in awe and praise of the doctors and nurses who have done amazing work to rescue me from the life-threatening claws of disease.
I wrote a series of poems throughout my journey, not to whinge, moan and groan ‘Woe is me’ but to describe how pain has become, my friend and my rescuer. Also, to share how this experience has strengthened me and taught me well-needed life lessons.
This poem is Part 1 of a series about my journey with cancer. I hope these poems bring you awareness, encouragement, and connection if you have also experienced a journey with a disease. Beverley Joy
Listen HERE – POEM – The Attack of Disease
An attack of disease takes us by surprise
It spreads in the darkness from the inside
Slowly it grows, unseen, unfelt
Spreading its tentacles, securing its roots.
Once the symptoms show, it’s too late
The pain cannot be erased
The disease takes its toll
Attacking the body and soul.
But wait, there is hope in healing our spirit and body
Through a balance of medicine and natural therapies
Hospital care for our body, mental care through psychology
Care for our souls through religious faith and support from family and friends.
Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry © 2023 All Rights Reserved.
Image by gugacurado from Pixabay
Listen to all my poems HERE
Simply Story Poetry 
Leave a comment