We know all about you.
Your reputation precedes you.
You’re a destroyer of the good and bad.
You cause permanent damage to the body.
You wrap us in poison and dip us in pain.
You stomp hard on any strength that desperately tries to hold on.
You kill cancer but wreak so much havoc along the way.
You’re not the partner we choose.
Your tango is too complicated.
We don’t want to remember these twirls and drags across the floor.
Leave us be.
Unfortunately, your sounds linger.
They echo in every room.
Your music makes beads of sweat pour down the face.
Hearts beat faster.
Pulse runs rapid.
No, take your moves to another dance company.
Your technique is barbaric.
It’s not welcomed.
There is no comfort in you.
Take your final bow chemo.
Your time in the spotlight has come to an end.
by Megan-Claire Chase
Megan-Claire Chase is a three-year breast cancer survivor in Atlanta, GA. She is a marketing project manager by day. In her spare time, she writes a blog called Life On The Cancer Train and is a published cancer blogger for Lacuna Loft, IHadCancer.com, CancerBro, Humor Beats Cancer, GRYT Health, WILDFIRE Magazine and Rethink Breast Cancer just to name a few. One of her biggest achievements in 2019 was co-presenting an abstract on AYA perspectives on fertility preservation conversations with healthcare providers at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) conference in Atlanta. She also has cat named Nathan Edgar who is her pride and joy.
How would you respond to the writing prompt, Companion?
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This writing comes directly from one of our participants in our Unspoken Ink Creative Writing Group for young adult cancer survivors.  The participants met for 2 hours each week, for 8 weeks during our Spring 2019 session.  This writing has not been edited since its original creation, showing the wonderfully raw and powerful prose coming from the courageous writing group participants each week. If you’d like to sign up for future sessions, please email info@lacunaloft.org or sign up on our interest form.
