Moments in Sarcoma

[Mary]

Some of our members contributed to this project. The things that they shared are very different than what a person might share in their sarcoma story....

From the Team Sarcoma Initiative:

In February, we invited people who have been affected by sarcoma to share a moment with us in writing. We received more than 140 submissions from around the world, and we were touched by experiences of joy, laughter, love, grief, hope and determination.

One of these special Moments in Sarcoma will be published every day from April 6 through August 6, 2009. We invite you to share in this daily journey with us by subscribing to our e-mail updates or our news feed.

[Mary]

I really liked today's poem in Moments of Sarcoma. It gives a good dose of inspiration and hope.

A Moment in Sarcoma from Johanna
Laguna Beach, California

Statistics

As a scientist
when I first became ill
I obsessively asked my doctors
for the numbers:
What is the survival rate
at 2 years? 5 years?
How many
are alive
10 years out?
The doctors gave me numbers:
80%, 30%, 65%, 72%, 20%
I was possessed
by the statistics
Maybe this study is newer
Maybe the treatment approach differed
Maybe this sample was contaminated
No matter the number
I kept asking.

Then one day
I found the perfect answer
the one true answer
heavier than lead
lighter than air
more precious than gold

Sitting in the office
of the sarcoma specialist
in a moment of grace
I gazed past the doctor
toward his kind-faced nurse.
Tell me, Susan, I said,
Is there a chance
I will dance
at my grandson’s
bar mitzvah?

Her eyes perfectly
untroubled
gazed back.
Life is so
Unpredictable, she said.
Go buy a dress.

——

Please support International Sarcoma Awareness Week: July 18-26, 2009.

[Larisa]

That's a wonderful poem. I read it to times. So true. Applies to everybody. I went and bought a new purse...