Elephants and Tea - June 2022 - 19

GAINING PERSPECTIVE Dear Cancer...
DEAR CANCER, YOU
HAVE AWAKENED ME
LEAH DUNCAN
Dear Cancer,
You showed up when I least expected
it. I suppose that's how it always goes.
I remember the air being sucked from
my lungs for a brief minute, then,
awkwardly, my mind went still, and I
just stared out the window. I had heard
of you before, but meeting you face-toface
was, well, life changing. You made
everyone around me sad. I was angry for
that. When you came, people looked at
me differently and treated me as if I was
now weak. As you began to take over my
body, so did the fight. The surgeries, the
injections, the pills and chemo, and the
radiation. You came so quickly and took
so much so fast. It felt like you would be
around forever. But one day, you left.
Everyone cheered and said goodbye,
assuring me I was now " OK. " But that
isn't the case. You see, you never left,
and I believe you never will. You are in
my mind, in my soul, and in the physical
form that has taken shape with the aftermath
of what you did. But hear me when I
say, I am thankful for you. You taught me
what it means to truly live. How kindness
and love are the most important things in
this world. How simple life can be. How
to overlook the trivial. How to stand up
for myself and to know my self-worth.
How to set boundaries and know that it's
OK. How giving back to others and your
community fulfills you. You have shown
me things I couldn't see. As much as you
took from me, you have awakened me.
Leah Duncan
LEAH DUNCAN IS A WIFE AND MOTHER OF TWO FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND IS A STAGE 3
ADENOCARCINOMA SURVIVOR. SHE ENJOYS ALL FORMS OF ART, READING, AND BEING OUT IN NATURE .
SHE ALSO LOVES VOLUNTEERING AT HER LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER. EVERY YEAR, SHE COLLECTS ITEMS
TO PUT TOGETHER CHEMO BAGS TO GIVE OUT AT THE FACILITY SHE RECEIVED HER CHEMOTHERAPY.
ELEPHANTSANDTEA.COM
JUNE 2022
19
http://www.ELEPHANTSANDTEA.COM
Elephants and Tea - June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Elephants and Tea - June 2022
