Laura Moses’ poem
My name is Laura Moses. I am 30 years old. At the age of 27 I was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer. Even though, I am a BRCA 1 mutation carrier, my diagnosis at 27 was rare. I decided to look back on my journey thus far using the medium of poetry.
2 years, 9 months and 25 days ago
Tummy cramps and constipation.
Oh, the terrible frustration.
All the daily lower back pain,
Left me trying to find an answer in vain.
The doctors shrugged it off,
But I continued to tug,
Because I couldn’t shake the feeling
That things were really not healing.
Three misdiagnoses later,
The Royal Marsden was my saviour.
They comforted and took my hand
And as a team they helped me stand.
When I got my diagnosis,
I was not sure of my prognosis.
The world around me crumbled
And I certainly tumbled.
You can’t help but think death,
and fear taking that last breath.
But you have to switch to survival mode
And set off down a very long road.
Chemotherapy in my veins,
Often gave me chemo brain.
Major surgery came quick and fast,
But it has never felt like a thing of the past.
In November 2016 I met with my clinician,
who declared that I was in remission.
It was time to adjust to a new normal,
Even though I felt quite abnormal.
I have a head full of what ifs,
And very often internal tiffs.
But I’m surrounded by a team
Who help me believe in my dreams.
My future is not set in stone,
Cancer might once again make itself known.
But cancer will not get me down,
And I most certainly will not drown.
I don’t know what my future holds
Because I don’t fit the average mould.
But through all this I’ve made a clear choice -
I want to be someone with a helpful voice.
I will continue to speak out
To help others with any doubt.
We can take on Ovarian cancer,
Together we will find the answer.
Now It’s time to talk.
We must take stock.
If we all choose to join and unite
Then Ovarian cancer we will fight.