I found a little lump last year

of course I thought the worst

at my age, could it really be

just why had I been cursed

the medicals and surgicals

spoke frankly though the smiles

of chemicals and percentages

tribulations and of trials

of confidence, assurances

and reasons just to be

special, individual

to fight and just be me.

It seems like quite a while ago

after what we've all been through

but every day I thought about

what I would have to do

and even when I lost my hair

and the mirror said I'd gone

I lit my way determinedly

my resolution shone

and do you know I think it helped

was part of my success

doggedly refusing though

I really must confess

I cried myself to sleep at times

at others gave up hope

I'd sit around just feeling numb

I'd wander, dream and mope

then something would come back to me

a fire deep inside

the strength to take the challenges

and the darkness would subside

then eventually and gradually

some brighter days returned

I seized upon these moments and

built on what I'd learned

and felt that I was in control

for the first time since that day

when I was told, in likeliness

my life was on its way

don't get me wrong I'd rather not

have learned a lesson so

but perhaps this is something which

you must experience to know

the value and the worth of life

of the time with which we're blessed

cos I've sure started living now

just me and my left breast!