A Poem About Rads!

Options
Warrior517
Warrior517 Member Posts: 355
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I wrote this as a Thank you gift to my Rads Team....I have gone thru chemo, rads, dbl mastectomy w/expanders (which failed) and recently completed a DIEP in New Orleans. I have more poems to share from each of these experiences..must be my healing therapy..lol  Enjoy the Poem...YOU CAN GET THROUGH RADS!! We are here for each other! Be Strong Warrior!!

The 3 Million Dollar Tanning Bed

By: Kathy Negro/ Breast Cancer Warrior

I walk into the office with apprehension and fear

The diagnosis of cancer is what we all share

 Radiation is needed for 6 weeks and 3 days

Completed my chemo and now it's this phase

The entire staff is filled with compassion and care

They make you feel as if they've known you for years

A mold is made from my chest to my head

To prevent me from moving and being misread

The next step seems to be exciting and new

Not one, not two but many small tattoos

The first day of treatment seems so surreal

The patients you meet know how you feel

It is time for radiation from the 3 million dollar tanning bed

You get on the table and gently lay down your head

You look up and the ceiling is filled with flowers galore

Your heart starts to beat and you feel anxiety to the core

The staff aligns you and each exits the room

It  feels like you're awaiting some impending doom

I lie there alone and start to pray

It is painless, this so called radiation ray

Each visit gets easier and the staff becomes friends

Fear, apprehension and anxiety all begin to end

Yes, the skin can get red, blister and peel

But doctors will take care of anything you feel

These words are my gift of appreciation and gratitude

For encouraging me to always have a positive attitude

Each day I walk in, I smile as I have learned to cope

This office has given me care, kindness, but most of all hope.

From the front desk to the doctor to each one of you

I am so grateful and proud of the job that you do

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Warrior517
    Warrior517 Member Posts: 355
    edited October 2009

    bump

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Warrior517
    Warrior517 Member Posts: 355
    edited December 2011

    For anyone that is going thru rads....you can relate!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,951
    edited January 2012

    I loved your poem. I just finished my rads and one day while on the table in the mold, I thought wouldn't it be fun to write a song about the radiation experience....especially using the terms they use when they are trying to get the alignment right. The rad techs also liked the idea....I am initially thinking, Radiation Rock! I think whatever helps people process this experience, and might even be helpful to someone else, is a worthwhile creative effort! My rad techs told me that a woman they worked with brought in a quilt she made of all the images she saw in the rads room, and had the techs sign it. I loved that....a concrete symbol in the tapestry of her life. Now if I only knew someone who was better at music than I, I might get the song and music written...would love it to be strong rock!

    Thanks for sharing!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    Cool poem!

    Now, what is a mold??

    (In rads now, but without any mold.)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Warrior517
    Warrior517 Member Posts: 355
    edited January 2012

    A  mold is made prior to radiation to prevent you from moving during the treatment. :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sflow
    sflow Member Posts: 297
    edited January 2012

    I am 5 years out of radiation, but that poem mirrors my exact experience.  Those people become so familiar and caring, they are like your little family when you go through rads. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories