Hope After an Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis

Hope

The wind kissed my skin.

Shades of dawn illuminated my face.

I touched the stone as if holding onto hope.

I walked across the shore one morning

just to feel the breeze.

The waters were briskly flowing.

I was brought down to my knees.

The sands spanned wide and washed away my grief.

Each step I took,

my future laid out

before me.

Shells, like stars, outlined my path.

My course of life,

the joys,

the tides,

I recognized,

the scars of broken yesterdays.

Still,

I am smiling!

This is my song

by the sea.

Clashing!

Echoing.

Louder.

I can’t take it back.

This song in my heart!

I’m singing it at the top of my lungs!

The wind kissed my skin.

Shades of dawn illuminated my face.

I touched the stone as if holding onto hope.

There in the distance,

I saw the lighthouse

calling out to me.

Like stones on the mound,

I was taken to the shore and drawn back to life again.

I submitted this poem because I believe in the healing power of poetry. I am a kidney cancer survivor and was diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer last year. I had just been treated with surgery for what I thought was a benign condition, but at my post op appointment, my doctor delivered the unexpected news.

This is the poem I wrote to help myself cope with my new diagnosis. It served as a reminder that I was resilient.

No matter where you are in your journey, there is always hope.

This post was written and submitted by Sarah Mccumba Garcia. The article reflects the views of Garcia and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

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