Happy Thanksgiving From Me and the Peanuts Gang 035

My Lung Cancer Story for the American Lung Association

LINDA R.'S STORY

From Minnesota – The story of how I figured out I had lung cancer:

 Early February of 2004 I was having extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I ended up in ER twice because of it. The second time the anxiety was so severe, I thought I was having a heart attack. The doctor said that my heart was fine but the x-ray revealed a small spot on my right lung. She asked me if I was a smoker and I told her I had never smoked. She told me that anyone can get spots on x-rays, especially in Minnesota because of the melting and freezing temperatures. She suggested I follow up with my primary doctor, although she didn't seem too concerned about the spot. After seeing my doctor, I was set up for a CT scan. The scan revealed that the spot had gotten bigger since my trip to the ER. I was quickly scheduled for a biopsy, and sadly, the results revealed I had non-small cell lung cancer. Later I learned that the pathology report showed the cancer had spread to my trachea and bronchi lymph nodes. This result changed my stage 1 A diagnosis to 3 A. I underwent surgery to remove the middle lobe of my right lung followed by five months of chemotherapy, and finally radiation. Those were scary, difficult days but I fought hard and won. I am happy to say, I will be ten years cancer free this coming St. Patrick's Day. I thank God every day for the gift of health and life. My cancer journey, although difficult, taught me how precious every day is and not to sweat the small stuff.

I feel grateful to the American Lung Association for letting me share my lung cancer story with others. I hope my story will help educate people on this type of cancer. I also hope my story will help reduce the stigma that often comes with a lung cancer diagnosis. No one deserves cancer, and whether you are a smoker or non-smoker, you deserve support.

Beacon of Light

She listens to the steady pitter pat
on what is another dark and dreary day

Even the dogs tire of nature's tears
too wet to go outside for walk and play

Jazz rings out in the background
hoping to soothe a dampened soul

Melancholy dripping like raindrops
pulling me down a endless hole

Wringing me dry of energy and joy
 hopelessness winning this fight

Until  a beacon of light breaks through the fog
and darkness gives way to Open Link Night


Written for dVerse Poets
Week 118

Lightening Strike at the U.S. Open

The day will be forever etched in my mind
as news of your tragic death traveled 

When I got the dreaded call that day
I fell to my knee's; My life unraveled

Who knew your adventure at the U.S. Open
would be the last day of your young life

You were only 27 with so much left to do
the loss so unexpected, it cut us like a knife

A thunderstorm came out of nowhere
golf spectator's started to flee

You and Scott headed for safety
thinking it would be best under a tree

You wore old worn out shoes that day
which made the hit more frightening

The energy traveled through the hole
your life cut short by lightening








Written for dVerse Poets Pub
MeetingtheBar Night

We were asked to write a tribute to friendship
or to the beloved man and fellow Poet~Dave King
who sadly passed away recently.

I Could Never Forget You

Hi Mama~will you tuck me in the way you use to?
You were only thirty-nine when alcohol took you.              

I Could Never Forget You

Dear Dad~you were my best friend
Wish Emphysema wouldn't have made your life end.

I Could Never Forget You

Hey Billy~My sister's one true soul-mate
What a tragedy lightening would be your dying fate

I Could Never Forget You
                                                                             
I miss you talented, charming brother
lost your life to addiction, just like our mother.

I Could Never Forget You

Cousin Mark~what a courageous man you were
I wish 'Pancreatic Cancer' would've had a cure.

I Could Never Forget You

To my friend in the Social Services Field~You struggled with depression for years
Taking your life after saving so many others, left us in tears.

I Could Never forget You

Written for dVerse Poet's
Open Link Night

The Homeless Man

An arctic bitter wind
blows angrily in my face

My cold body~ rigid
I walk at a snail's pace

The city life
isn't all it's cracked up to be

It drains your soul
like a used up  B--a-t-t-e-r-y                                

As I round the corner
out of the parking ramp

I notice an old man
He's shivering, cold and damp

His long black coat
hangs from his slender frame

His eyes look tired
yet his spirit holds no shame

Trying to warm his hands
he rubs them together

It's clear his cardboard home
has seen extreme weather

I threw down my things
and sat down beside him

Wondering how I'd help
a situation so grim

I huddled close
and asked him his name

He said I was special
the only person who came

I've sat here for days
looking for hope

But nobody cared
that I couldn't cope

Thank you sweet child
for seeing my soul

Beneath my appearance
that's taken it's toll

I watched in awe
at the blinding bright light

As man transformed into angel
and drifted out of sight

Written for dVerse Poets
Open Link Night
Week #106

Poem~A Mother's Heavenly Visit to her Youngest Child

Those first few months
felt like a blurr                                      

The longing and pain
of missing her

She couldn't erase
the image in her head

Of Mom in a coffin
and feelings of dread

Why did you leave us?
your children need you

Dad is a drunk
and won't know what to do

Night time was lonely
without mom around

She'd hear scary noises
that made her heart pound

She missed the routine
of being tucked in

And the maternal love
a dad couldn't give

The girl lay crying
feeling hopeless one night

She pleaded with God
to make it all right

I need you mommy
you keep me on track

Please help me Lord
can you bring her back?

Down the hallway she noticed
a light moving slowly

It grew brighter and brighter
she knew it was holy

A beautiful lady
floated above her head

And eventually sat
at the edge of her bed

Looking right at the angel
she recognized the face

It was her mother
glowing with grace

She listened intently
to the message conveyed

Through telepathic means
Mom said, "don't be afraid."

I'm sorry I left you
just know I'm still here

Watching over you kids
every day, every year

I love you my baby
your four siblings too

Make sure you tell them
of my visit to you

Let them know
I tucked them in tonight

That things will get better
it will be alright

At that very moment
her spirit-body lifted

Down the hallway I watched
as she gracefully drifted.

Written for dVerse Poets
Prompt: Atmosphere within Poem