Elephants and Tea - March 2020 - 32

Conversation

The
Bubble
LIFE COMES TO
A SCREECHING
HALT BECAUSE
OF CANCER.
BY A NGI E GI A L L OU R A K IS

A POEM FROM THE PRESIDENT

Can I keep working?
What do you mean I might be too weak?
What do you mean my immune system will be susceptible to germs?
Will I have to leave school?
What about my athletic scholarship?
I have to stop playing tennis.
Now what?
This really sucks.
Good thing I am still under my parents' medical insurance.
What would happen if I didn't have insurance?
I need to move out of my apartment?
What do you mean I should move in with my parents?
Not my parents.
Maybe my friends will let me stay with them.
My friends have a dog, and I am allergic to dogs.
Oh my God I really have to move in with my parents.
I feel like a little kid back at home.
Mom keeps asking "are you okay?"
Dad doesn't say much.
I wonder what he's thinking.
My boyfriend broke up with me.
Everything is falling apart.
I feel so alone.

A NGI E GI A L L OU R A K IS ,
PH . D., C E O A N D C O FOU N DE R OF E L E PH A N T S
A N D T E A , IS A FOR M E R
R E H A BI L I TAT ION
C OU NSE L OR , C OL L E GE
PROF E S S OR , R E SE A RC H E R ,
T U R N E D C A NC E R
A DVO C AT E A N D MOT H E R
TO A T WO T I M E C A NC E R
SU RV I VOR . OV E R T H E
PA S T T E N Y E A R S SH E
H A S S OUGH T TO L E A R N
A B OU T T H E BE S T WAYS
TO SU RV I V E C A NC E R
T R E AT M E N T. A S A R E SU LT
OF T H IS R E SE A RC H SH E
H A S BE C OM E T R A I N E D
I N I R E S T YO G A N I DR A
M E DI AT ION, I N T E GR AT I V E
N U T R I T ION H E A LT H
C OAC H, I N T E GR AT I V E
ONC OL O GY NAV IG ATOR
A N D YO G A4 C A NC E R
T E AC H E R .

32

ELEPHANTSANDTEA.COM
MARCH 2020

My friend Jules is having a baby.
Will I ever have children?
Who would love me now?
My life has come to a screeching halt.
I feel like I am going to lose my mind.
What is going to happen to me now.
I need to get through these freaking chemo treatments.
I am stuck in this hospital.
I hate this.
I wish everyone would let me chill.
I need to act strong for my family and friends.
Of course I am fine, why wouldn't I be?
I need help but don't know how to ask for it.
I want to live.
Is anyone listening to me?
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Elephants and Tea - March 2020

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