TIMELY CONCERNS
March
| 24 hours before: | ||
| -hospital pre-admission | ||
| -radical mastectomy consent form signed | ||
| -convince self consent is unnecessary | ||
| -don't pack, but arrange. | ||
| 12 hours before | ||
| -love me my dear and | ||
| hold me tight; | ||
| -touch me and kiss me. | ||
| 12 hours after: | ||
| -Yes, I know. | ||
| -family surround me, | ||
| suspend me | ||
| -share my burden. | ||
| 36 hours after: | ||
| -thick gauze simulates | ||
| -mental rehearsal of | ||
| touching my lump. | ||
| 48 hours after: | ||
| -doctor removing dressing | ||
| -look; see; don't think | ||
| -begin to grieve this loss. | ||
| 60 hours after: | ||
| -frustrated; eating left-handed | ||
| -lonely; missing freedom | ||
| -questioning; other's reactions | ||
| -rebelling; choosing hospital gown | ||
| over satin and frills. | ||
| 72 hours after: | ||
| My right breast is not me, | ||
| and yet I cry. | ||
| But I still have the other one; | ||
| I still have an arm and hand; | ||
| I am still alive! | ||
|
From Journey Unknown (Journey Press, 1994) |
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