cancer-ing shift

“No gas flames in the fireplace,” Calliope noted.

“Of course not.” Nia shook her head. “Today’s temps are going to be in the eighties.”

“So much has changed since that February day when Typist first sat in the cancer center’s waiting area. Now that she’s shifted from HAVE to HAD cancer, there’s a whole new crop of feelings to explore.” Thalia relaxed her shoulders and encouraged her heart to shine. “Is it interesting that she feels different about her belonging to the place?”

“Yes, interesting,” said Nia.

Always emotional about endings, Cal dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Bitter-sweet.”

---

Words from Typist:

It’s TRUE!

My nurse navigator, surgeon, and medical oncologist have all confirmed that the pathology results from last week’s surgery is clear of any active cancer cells.

All that remained after chemotherapy was scar tissue.

This might sounds odd… Not every feeling I had upon hearing the news was positive. In order to let go and move forward, I have get to set aside my identity of being an active cancer patient.

I am grateful to remember that even though I’m on the other side… I belong no matter what.

How I choose to show up correlates directly to how I am perceived.

Also… I enjoyed a 💡moment while waiting in a tan leather chair. I think it’s going to help me write book 4. What if instead of being a cancer patient… I have simply been cancer-ing — experiencing cancer?

What happens when we live the verbs and discard the nouns?