I first received help from the Worksop Auroura Well-being Centre in 2017 following my initial diagnosis of breast cancer. Since then they have not stopped and have become a rock of strength and support to me and now I have needed to turn to them again.
Here is a poem which I started in 2017. I have written it in three parts from 2017 until now to follow my story in rhyme.
Karina’s story
Part 1 Written 2017
It’s the news we don’t want and hope to hear never,
But in March 2017 my life changed forever!!
Having found a lump as I was going to bed,
All sorts of ideas - all night - filled my head!!
As I’d had a mammogram in July which was clear,
Surely it’s nothing - that was only last year!!!
But to the doctors I went to get it checked out,
And was called straight to hospital - great service - no doubt!
From then I felt I was outside looking in,
A whirlwind of appointments my head in a spin!
The hardest part was telling my son who was fifteen,
His concern and emotion like nothing I’d seen!!
When he found out I might loose my hair,
“I’m shaving my head so we can be a pair!!
I don’t want you to have to go through it alone Mum!”
What an amazing young man my boy has become!!
So for charity - he did it - he had his head shaved,
And together - with bald heads - this new world we braved!
Now the chemo has stopped and I’m feeling much stronger,
My son won one race as his hair is much longer!
But I’ll catch him and pass him and I’ll have colours in it,
This is a long race and I’m determined to win it!!!
Next step is radiotherapy which I’m told is not bad,
Once that is done and I’m back at work I’ll be glad!
When all this first started I thought I’d go round the bend,
A long programme of treatment but I’m nearing the end!
I’m looking forward to getting my life back on track,
Positivity and enthusiasm I certainly don’t lack!!
So get checking those boobies - or let someone grope!!
Don’t be afraid to discuss it - it gives us more hope!
I truly believe being a ‘glass half full’ kind of lass,
Has helped me be able to say “I KICKED CANCERS ASS!!!”
Part 2 Written November 2018
Well all that treatment was completed in July 2018,
So we started ticking the bucket list of places not been.
Guinness in Dublin, Maldives, Northern Lights!
And plenty of others which i have in my sights!
But November 2018 had a kick in the teeth,
Secondary breast cancer in a brain tumour – this just beggers belief!
But, I’ll deal with it, in my usual positive way,
And smile and be grateful and live every day.
‘Make time to make memories’ is what I now live by.
That bucket list keeps getting ticked – the limit’s the sky!
Things couldn’t get worse - or so it would seem,
As every three weeks is my new treatment regime,
But that’s not the case – I embrace my new lot,
I’m grateful for my life and the chance I have got,
To enhance what I have and for those close to me,
Show them just how strong a woman I’ve decided to be.
With their help and support I know I’ll be fine,
Life is for living – and that’s what I’m doing with mine!
Part 3 Written October 2020
DING, DING, DING - Round 3!
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
In the ring again to stand up and fight
But I’m not giving in I will face up to my plight
Just when I thought I was over the worst,
Once again, I’m afraid, it appears that I’m cursed!
There are times when I’m low but I admit they are few,
As my glass overflows, yet again, thanks to you
April scans revealed things were under control,
Next scan in August a curved ball would roll.
The cancer was changing in my head around my brain,
So intensive radiotherapy required to try to beat this again!
I’ve completed that now so keep fingers crossed,
That it helps and I’m hopeful as no time was lost!
I have a memento in the form of a mask,
Now decorating and displaying is my new lockdown task!
Once again, I have lost my blue locks of hair,
Which may not grow back this time, but I won’t despair.
As Ross wants to turn this around into something worthwhile,
By shaving his head, raising funds to try to help people smile.
Lets approach this together, I feel all your love,
Your support is around me, below and above.
It keeps me strong and fighting this battle I face,
Whilst I try to be proper and not fall from grace.
Let this be the last time I have to update,
With a negative verse – hope theres not long to wait.
For some better news or even something I’ve done,
This party girl wants to get out for some fun!
Make time to make memories is still the best plan
And once we're allowed to, I'll do that when I can!
Come on and join me – you know you want to,
It's the best way that I can think to say ”I THANK YOU!”
One step at a time as I enter the ring,
Standing tall, brave face on and still loving to sing.
From this chick in the corner whom everyone loves,
Brace yourself cancer, ”Someone pass me my gloves!”
Thank you,
Karina x
Here is a poem which I started in 2017. I have written it in three parts from 2017 until now to follow my story in rhyme.
Karina’s story
Part 1 Written 2017
It’s the news we don’t want and hope to hear never,
But in March 2017 my life changed forever!!
Having found a lump as I was going to bed,
All sorts of ideas - all night - filled my head!!
As I’d had a mammogram in July which was clear,
Surely it’s nothing - that was only last year!!!
But to the doctors I went to get it checked out,
And was called straight to hospital - great service - no doubt!
From then I felt I was outside looking in,
A whirlwind of appointments my head in a spin!
The hardest part was telling my son who was fifteen,
His concern and emotion like nothing I’d seen!!
When he found out I might loose my hair,
“I’m shaving my head so we can be a pair!!
I don’t want you to have to go through it alone Mum!”
What an amazing young man my boy has become!!
So for charity - he did it - he had his head shaved,
And together - with bald heads - this new world we braved!
Now the chemo has stopped and I’m feeling much stronger,
My son won one race as his hair is much longer!
But I’ll catch him and pass him and I’ll have colours in it,
This is a long race and I’m determined to win it!!!
Next step is radiotherapy which I’m told is not bad,
Once that is done and I’m back at work I’ll be glad!
When all this first started I thought I’d go round the bend,
A long programme of treatment but I’m nearing the end!
I’m looking forward to getting my life back on track,
Positivity and enthusiasm I certainly don’t lack!!
So get checking those boobies - or let someone grope!!
Don’t be afraid to discuss it - it gives us more hope!
I truly believe being a ‘glass half full’ kind of lass,
Has helped me be able to say “I KICKED CANCERS ASS!!!”
Part 2 Written November 2018
Well all that treatment was completed in July 2018,
So we started ticking the bucket list of places not been.
Guinness in Dublin, Maldives, Northern Lights!
And plenty of others which i have in my sights!
But November 2018 had a kick in the teeth,
Secondary breast cancer in a brain tumour – this just beggers belief!
But, I’ll deal with it, in my usual positive way,
And smile and be grateful and live every day.
‘Make time to make memories’ is what I now live by.
That bucket list keeps getting ticked – the limit’s the sky!
Things couldn’t get worse - or so it would seem,
As every three weeks is my new treatment regime,
But that’s not the case – I embrace my new lot,
I’m grateful for my life and the chance I have got,
To enhance what I have and for those close to me,
Show them just how strong a woman I’ve decided to be.
With their help and support I know I’ll be fine,
Life is for living – and that’s what I’m doing with mine!
Part 3 Written October 2020
DING, DING, DING - Round 3!
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
In the ring again to stand up and fight
But I’m not giving in I will face up to my plight
Just when I thought I was over the worst,
Once again, I’m afraid, it appears that I’m cursed!
There are times when I’m low but I admit they are few,
As my glass overflows, yet again, thanks to you
April scans revealed things were under control,
Next scan in August a curved ball would roll.
The cancer was changing in my head around my brain,
So intensive radiotherapy required to try to beat this again!
I’ve completed that now so keep fingers crossed,
That it helps and I’m hopeful as no time was lost!
I have a memento in the form of a mask,
Now decorating and displaying is my new lockdown task!
Once again, I have lost my blue locks of hair,
Which may not grow back this time, but I won’t despair.
As Ross wants to turn this around into something worthwhile,
By shaving his head, raising funds to try to help people smile.
Lets approach this together, I feel all your love,
Your support is around me, below and above.
It keeps me strong and fighting this battle I face,
Whilst I try to be proper and not fall from grace.
Let this be the last time I have to update,
With a negative verse – hope theres not long to wait.
For some better news or even something I’ve done,
This party girl wants to get out for some fun!
Make time to make memories is still the best plan
And once we're allowed to, I'll do that when I can!
Come on and join me – you know you want to,
It's the best way that I can think to say ”I THANK YOU!”
One step at a time as I enter the ring,
Standing tall, brave face on and still loving to sing.
From this chick in the corner whom everyone loves,
Brace yourself cancer, ”Someone pass me my gloves!”
Thank you,
Karina x
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