Cancer Radiation Treatment
During my cancer radiation treatment, I underwent daily hospital visits for radiation targeting cancer cells in my spine. Living with my daughter, I relied on her for care and transportation. Despite physical challenges, I maintained a positive mindset through exercise, reading, and learning from inspirational stories of other people who have overcome illness and trauma throughout their lives. This poem reflects on my determination and gratitude for small progressions during this difficult time in my life. This poem is Part 8 of a series about my journey with cancer. Beverley Joy
Listen HERE – Poem – Zapped
Week one of five hospital visits
For daily zaps of radiation
To kill cancer cells in my L3
My hopes are high for eradication.
We’ve moved to my daughter’s inner-city unit
She cares for me and drives her car
So, I can heal my operation scar.
I dare not lift more than one kilo
I exercise with a physio
I can walk without crutches a little bit
I shower without the need to sit.
I dress myself, painful and slow
Rolling out of bed, I groan
I fight nausea so I can eat
Pain medication to numb and sleep.
The sun rises, another day and week
I lie in bed staring out my window
Watching people come and go
Body fatigue overwhelms me.
My mind is clearing from fog and echoing
I fight back thoughts of ‘What ifs’
I start to read ‘The Untethered Soul’*
A book I was given back in the hospital.
I watch documentaries and movies
Stories of heroes of history
How they overcame trauma
Motivated I copied their formula.
What could I do lying in bed?
A book a week is what I read
Listening to podcasts, journalling lessons
Excited and grateful for my small progression.
Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry © 2024 All Rights Reserved
Listen to all my poems HERE
*The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer 2007
Image by Ajay kumar Singh from Pixabay
Simply Story Poetry 
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