Beep, You’re Alive

online unspoken ink creative writing group

Ah, the loud, annoying beeps that reminds you that you’re still alive. That sound echo’s in the infusion room. No more watching Grey’s Anatomy or The Good Doctor. Seeing those machines on TV make it too close to home.

Heartbeat, pulse – oh so rapid.

That shortness of breath was for real. Lovely how the infusion nurse says to take long, deep breaths and relax. Why is the machine turned?! “Show me the numbers!!!,” I say in a Jerry Maguire voice. Turns out, pulse was rapid, heartbeat rising. No wonder she only turned the machine after appearing to calm down.

Why does the cord and line to the port always get tangled? I don’t want to tango with you. My dance card is full.

by Megan-Claire Chase

How would you respond to the writing prompt, reduced to vital signs?

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This writing comes directly from one of our participants in our Unspoken Ink Creative Writing Group for young adult cancer survivors.  The participants meet for 2 hours each week, for 8 weeks during our Winter 2018 session.  This writing has not been edited since its original creation, showing the wonderfully raw and powerful prose coming from the courageous writing group participants each week.  If you’d like to sign up for future sessions, please email info@lacunaloft.org or sign up on our interest form.

Flame

online unspoken ink creative writing group

It started as a slight flame, a little warm but not uncomfortable. As my body showed more and more signs that something was wrong, the slight flame became a blazing and dangerous wildfire attacking my very soul.

The visual burning of flesh never leaves my memory. Damn you radiation. Damn you chemo. The dark marks left on the neck are a daily reminder of how you engulfed me and pushed my emotional state over the edge.

Oh burning flame, you tried to turn me into ashes, but I triumphed. I still feel the aches and pains from dancing with flames, but I keep on pushing on. It’s a slow recovery but resilient; somehow, always resilient.

You are ashes to me now. Putting you out nearly killed me. As if it wasn’t bad enough you burned my insides, leaving me barren, forever childless. I am a shell of myself, but again resilient. I will rebuild again.

by Megan-Claire Chase

How would you respond to the writing prompt, How the Fire Started?

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This writing comes directly from one of our participants in our Unspoken Ink Creative Writing Group for young adult cancer survivors.  The participants meet for 2 hours each week, for 8 weeks during our Winter 2018 session.  This writing has not been edited since its original creation, showing the wonderfully raw and powerful prose coming from the courageous writing group participants each week.  If you’d like to sign up for future sessions, please email info@lacunaloft.org or sign up on our interest form.