Tag: Cancer
-
Graphic medicine
Ian WilliamsWales, United Kingdom Introduction In case you have not noticed, graphic novels have been cropping up in literary reviews that would have previously been the reserve of prose. Thanks to the UK broadsheet newspapers, which have been championing the graphic form for a good 10 years or so, a distinct genre of autobiographical comics…
-
A burglar in the body—Too heavy
Jan JahnerSanta Fe, New Mexico, USA Poet’s statement In the early weeks of my brother’s cancer journey, both of us were quite ungrounded. “A Burglar in the Body” reflects a snapshot in time. Nine months later he says: “Cancer came with the morning paper, knocking on my door, saying, ‘Guess what? Wake-up time, I’m yours.’”…
-
The tyranny of optimism—A hectic in my blood
James RickertBloomington, Indiana, USA Poet’s statement “The tyranny of optimism” was written after I had spoken to a cancer support group. I became angry when it became apparent that all of us had experienced well-intentioned healthy people asking us to do the impossible: put aside all negative emotions—not mourn the loss of our own health,…
-
OH DOCTOR!—An encounter with the health care system
Inge FaustNew Jersey, US I woke up one morning a quarter to nineWith an awful feeling in that body of mineAnd I knew that was not a very good signSince in my whole life I always felt fine. How strange to feel so on a sunny dayAs we’re nearing the merry month of May.Even Morris…
-
Fratricide
Hemal Sampat No bleeding this month.It is how I announced myself.A child arrivedAnd Mom and Dad were overjoyed. Years pass.One day, no more bleeding.No more children to come. Then, bleeding again.It is how he announced himself.A different child arrivedBorn of Mom alone. Tan-colored, like meBut unwelcome. He grows where I grew:In the endometrium.He feeds off…
-
Breast Cancer Suite
Terri EricksonLewisville, North Carolina, United States Poet’s statement Since I became a published poet, it has been my privilege to spend a few hours volunteering at one of our local cancer centers, working with a very compassionate chaplain—one who understands the healing power of words. She invited me first, to speak with a group of…
-
Cancer diagnosISIS
Clemens SchmittBerlin, Germany Sensing the first symptoms and signs of a potentially serious development, diagnosing a manifest malignant state, and determining the adequate treatment in order to eradicate the disease at its roots and ultimately eliminate “the last evil cell“—that is what cancer medicine is all about.1 It resembles in some ways the strategy required…