Part 14: For Poetry Wednesday: Meeting a Goal and The Nipple Song
2007:
Breast cancer Awareness month continues with good news; I set a goal to raise $1,500+ and I met the goal tonight. I feel great. The 5 mile walk is Sunday, it will be my second one. Those of us walking who have been through the breast cancer “experience” are given pink shirts that say SURVIVOR on the back. We start the walk by cutting through a pink ribbon, we become a pink ribbon from the air as we march in a huge snaking in a 2 1/2 mile loop of people coming and going in the opposite direction. It’s exhilarating. Hopefully each year the ribbon will be longer and longer, in survivors and participants. There are 14 walks here in different locations throughout the city and state of New York alone.
I will be walking in memory of two friends I lost; Linda Anderson, see her chocolate cheesecake recipe, who died in her 30’s and Karen Hubert Allison, a childhood friend who was a well known author and famous New York City restauranteur, who died at 49.
A poem I wrote during the second part of my mastectomy reconstruction:
Sung to the song, “If I Only Had A Brain,” With a chorus from “the Wizard of Oz. Also requires that you sing while doing a soft shoe shuffle, with or without a bra. Or a “bro.”
It’s never all that easy
In fact it makes some queasy
Of that we can’t deny.
That it’s bigger than a pimple
An outtie, not a dimple,
And it makes a grown man sigh.
Some people pierce right through it,
Though I could never do it,
That would surely make me cry.
I used to have 2 of ‘em,
In fact I used to love em
And then 1 went “bye bye.”
I’m to the plastic surgeon,
The plastic surgeon of gauze
Because, because, because, because, because…
Because of the wonderful things he does.
From the groin he’ll take it
The skin– he’ll wrap and fake it
And roll it up to size.
Then he’ll hack it and then tack it,
Like a medal to a jacket
And then I will have my prize!
He’ll glue it and tattoo it
He’ll red, and white, and blue it.
A nipple he’ll devise.
I’ll be as good as new,
But I’ll still be Sue,
With no compromise.
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teena2 wrote on Jul 18, ’08
I’ve read for the last 3 hours your bout with breast cancer…you are #1 inspiration…you’re great.
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lauritasita wrote on Oct 14, ’08
It’s amazing that you are able to keep your sense of humor thoughout all this. You are courageous and a wonderful source of inspriation for all women ! Thanks for sharing your wonderful work. I hope you are closer to getting it all published. Love, Laurita
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dianahopeless wrote on Oct 14, ’08
I love how you have kept you sense of humor in all this Sue! You ARE an inspiration, as your sister says. Thank you for sharing both your poetry and your loving sister. ((HUGS))
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jadedruid wrote on Oct 14, ’08
I will be walking with you Sunday, only in Baltimore. Our team now is 154 people strong and we’ve raised $7312 for the team. I was at the Komen registration office today and went through race village. We have some amazing quilts donated for the raffle and some great Breast Cancer Awareness and Susan G. Komen items for sale. I want to remind everyone attending these events don’t forget to carry some money with you so you can visit the race village. To anyone who isn’t walking or running in a Komen event you can still do your part. Any of us walking or running can be sponsored.
Good luck on Sunday Sue and major hugs. The pink shirt is a shirt of honor! |
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forgetmenot525 wrote on Oct 16, ’08
ohhhhh ………did I miss this?? how could I not comment…………..the music started and my brain automatically sings the words to the music, this is so clever and sometimes the best medicine is humour………….you have excelled yourself my dear! 🙂
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sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 16, ’08
jadedruid said
Sharon, have a great walk. I am fundraising again, but can’t do the walk–I have a conflict with another event. I am so honored that you’ve been reading and I thank you.
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I will be walking with you Sunday, only in Baltimore. Our team now is 154 people strong and we’ve raised $7312 for the team. I was at the Komen registration office today and went through race village. We have some amazing quilts donated for the raffle and some great Breast Cancer Awareness and Susan G. Komen items for sale. I want to remind everyone attending these events don’t forget to carry some money with you so you can visit the race village. To anyone who isn’t walking or running in a Komen event you can still do your part. Any of us walking or running can be sponsored.
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sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 16, ’08
vickiecollins said
Thanks so much, Vickie, I’ll be by.
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sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 16, ’08, edited on Oct 16, ’08
ppiccola said
Welcome home, Piccie, thanks for coming.
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sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 16, ’08
eccentricmare said
Thanks, so much, Kaz!
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sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 16, ’08
forgetmenot525 said
Love ya, Loretta! Thanks!!
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sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 16, ’08
bostonsdandy said
Lori, your comment is profound. I look at young women and think, “Who’s next.” Here in NY I believe 1 in 7 of us will get breast cancer. Kind of inconceivable. As much as I feel like the GOV’T should be funding cures and looking harder, it looks like a lot of the burden is on US to contribute. Sometimes I think–“well, haven’t we been through enough?? Here we are, the survivors MARCHING to raise money, what’s wrong with that picture? But then I think, who are the best people to march? Those of us who have been through it and are still around.
I can’t make the walk this year, (I’ve done 2) but I am collecting, and I’ll do my best to keep that up. Thanks, as always, for that beautiful comment. |
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skeezicks1957 wrote on Oct 17, ’08
What an inspiration your sense of humor is and your talent in verse to others!
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sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 17, ’08
skeezicks1957 said
I’ve learned over the years to try to find some humor in everything. Kind of the Mel Brooks philosophy-drown the pain in laughter. Thanks, Mary Ellen, thanks so much.
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Comments from the yahoo parallel universe
(12 total)
I sang right along with this and it made me smile…it’s perfect! A ‘survivor’ indeed….you made it,my friend! Enjoy the meaning of your walk,think of your departed friends and know you have inspired other with your spirit! Hugs!
Friday October 19, 2007 – 12:49am (EDT)
this made me laugh and cringe at the same time. congrats on reaching your goal
Friday October 19, 2007 – 02:56pm (EST)
If you can walk 5 miles I would think your cure of any possible ailments..enjoy your humor and playful use of words when writing a poem dealing with a heavy experience.~~Papa
Thursday October 18, 2007 – 10:46pm (PDT)
You are a True ‘Inspiration,with a bit of Humor,,but So Much Passion’,in you that makes All others Strive to be as Great as You are. A HUGE HOOWRA’,for reaching your goal,an making other’s not Quit. Your Spirit is Contageous,an a Sign of Hope for all To See,Read,an Be Inpire By Your Greatness.
Thursday October 18, 2007 – 10:53pm (PDT)
What a marvellous woman you are!! :0) Realy nice poem … something funny made out of something tragic. :0)
Friday October 19, 2007 – 10:20am (CEST)
This poem made me laugh and cry at the same time. I’m glad you got through it ok, and you’re a wonderful inspiration to other women who may be going through now what you already have.
Friday October 19, 2007 – 08:41am (EDT)
I love this. This is what I was talking about before. You’re humor is what kept you “real.” How many of us can say that? When we’re faced with bad situations we all can’t find the humor in them. We get depressed and dwell on the negative. You picked yourself up, dusted the cancer off, and chose to LIVE instead of giving up! You are the meaning of the word INSPIRATIONAL! Thanks for sharing this with us.
Friday October 19, 2007 – 11:21am (CDT)
So sorry to hear about your friends. Your song is very special. In the back of my mind, i tell myself ‘think song’ ok a song but the seriousness of it brought tears to my eyes. You are truly an inspiration and a very strong woman. Yes, you are an inspiration.
Friday October 19, 2007 – 03:59pm (EDT)
You are a hero to so many. Thank you for giving of yourself; we are so inspired by your courage and selflessness!
Friday October 19, 2007 – 04:08pm (CDT)
BECAUSE BECAUSE BECAUSE BECAUSE BECAUSE you are too stinkin’ funny girl congrats on meeting your goal though American Cancer Society is not my favorite organization Private message me and I’ll tell you why
Friday October 19, 2007 – 09:40pm (EDT)
Now I have that tune stuck in my head! You are wonderful, and your sense of humour and wit constantly amaze me. Congrats on making your goal, and my best wishes for the walk.
I’m so sorry to hear about your friends. It’s wonderful that you are remembering them this way. I hope we reach a point where this monster illness is cured. Great poem. Big hugs!!!
Saturday October 20, 2007 – 08:44am (EDT)
((((((((hugs))))))))))) my friend!
Sunday October 21, 2007 – 07:26pm (EDT)