Jayne’s Journey

A set of three poems that Jayne wrote at three key moments in her journey; the end of Chemotherapy, one year cancer free and two years cancer free.

These poems are not just words on a page, they are a reminder that every journey is unique, every milestone deserves to be celebrated, and no one walks this path alone.

At the end of Chemotherapy

With A Hint Of Pink

The news wasn’t good they started to say, and immediately I knew it was not a good day.

The journey was long and the tests were plenty, but front it head on was the plan like so many.

CTs and PET scans, needles, bloods, trips to the hospital, medics in scrubs.

Chemo buddies stepped in to take charge, hands were crushed as needles were charged.

The chemo was gruelling and there were plenty of bumps, the road wasn’t smooth and the needles made me jump.

There were rashes, and nose bleeds, nausea and fatigue, aches in my limbs that just wouldn’t leave.

Months passed by and friends came and went, groceries were given and dinners were sent.

The bed and the couch became the places I knew best, the little Red Devil definitely put me to the test.

Frozen gloves and mittens, to keep numbness at bay, were given each time for my second chemo stay.

Tingling and numb in my fingers and toes, are normal they say and it’s just how it goes.

But positive and strong I was determined to stay, though admittedly there were a few tears along the way.

Three grand tours were watched from the couch! The Giro, The Tour and the Vaulta were great. Reliving my trip through Europe in my 20s with my mate.

I searched for Silver Linings every step of the way, and sometimes they appeared on the most unusual days.

Then Lee and Jules had a cracking idea, and soon a Go Fund Me page would appear. Friends, my brother and colleagues near and far, donated ensuring surgery was no longer something to fear.

Without the support of my brothers and friends, Lee and my colleagues, the list never ends. Grateful and humbled to get through this stage, proud of my stamina to still work and engage.

Chemo is over and surgery draws near, with a mixture of hope and just a little fear, I face the next chapter as the end becomes clear.

With radio still to come, and many weeks ahead, there will still be more fatigue and days spent in bed.

But today we celebrate the end of stage one, and know with certainty that chemo is DONE!!!

One year cancer free

One Year WithOUT Cancer!!!!

Inspired, inspiring, happy, healthy. Elated, deflated, things wash past me like moments in time.

Strange emotions too hard to explain, aches in my limbs but I never complain… miracles happen every day it’s true. You live in the present refreshed, renewed.

The wisdom of a year spent on the couch, hospital beds, surgery, radiation a drainage pouch.

Defiant I stand determined to move on. Seven wine regions visited, still the days seem quite long. Tired, emotional triggered by fear. Life in my rear view mirror still brings me to tears.

Strong, confident, and surrounded by friends, in solidarity we stand and the fight never ends. Humble, grateful and with courage to push on. The nights are the hardest and sleeplessness makes them long.

Aches in muscles, pins and needles and numbness in hands and feet. Falls and unstable but unwilling to give in to defeat.

Less of many of the things that I loved but thankful for the gifts I continue to gain from their loss. Able to stand on one leg for a moment in time, a year ago legs felt like they were not mine.

Travel, catch ups, dinners and lunches. Glasses of wine, new friends and brunches. Life moves forward not as I expected, but the moments in time are what I have collected.

 Today I stand here one year cancer free, what a journey, what a year, what a time to be me.

Two years cancer free - written on 9 September 2024

Two years cancer free!

Two years, two gears, still waiting to hit three!

Progress is progress, one step, one hour, one day, one month, one year, two years, when did life become such a marathon?

Small steps, big steps, finding my new norm. Defiant here I stand trying to conform.

Lymphoedema, neuropathy, chemo brain and fear. The question of what if, still haunts me, will it ever disappear?

Measurements of success in my somewhat normal world, are complex, I remind myself, and like a sail they continue to unfurl.

Grateful for my progress, medical team, my work and all my friends. For those that continue to stand with me, the fighting never ends.

 Satisfied and relieved to have made it to year two. Cancer free does not equal 100%, but doing the best that I can do!

Thank you for sharing these with us Jayne.