Cancer memoir in six words
I love the challenge Renn has put to us over at her Big C and Me blog:
Can you condense your cancer experience into just six words?
Renn has risen to the challenge wonderfully with hers:
Cancer called. Wish I hadn’t answered.
Isn’t that so good! Renn is inviting us all to participate with our own six word cancer memoir:
I’m inviting everyone to participate, because everyone has a breast cancer story. Even if you don’t have breast cancer yourself, your life has somehow been touched by it. Let’s put a six-word face on BC.
Here’s my first attempt:
Post cancer life is lived in limbo
Now it’s your turn!
I LOVE this!! I may try this six-word challenge. It is difficult to condense the cancer experience into six words, so I know it’s challenging. But it’s a great idea, so I will try it!
Oh do try Beth. It is good for our brains to be challenged – I really learned that through the monthly writing challenge I just completed. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Do come back and share it with us.
Wish my Daughter was in Limbo!!!!!!!!
Okay I’m cheating and using seven words, but it’s my birthday today so I’m indulging
I had cancer, cancer didn’t have me.
That’s a good one! And it’s a line from your book too if I am not mistaken Cara? Oh and very happy birthday to you today m’dear x
What a great challenge. At first blush I thought, 6 words–no way! I’m much too verbose for that. But I did it!
I know that was my first thought too! But isn’t it good to challenge ourselves every so often? What did you come up with?
Cancer scars: deep but not pervasive.
I love it. Nancy, this is just such a great exercise isn’t it – maybe we should try to do this kind of thing more often
I love this too:) Thanks Renn and Marie for sharing this concept. Here’s my shot:
Wild hope born from cancer’s ashes.
Wow! That’s so evocative – brilliant..and so you!
Thanks Lovely:) I love these short creative exercises…now it’s back to finances, volunteer reviews, and spanish classes. Big love! T xo
What a delightful and clever challenge! It reminds me of the three-word exercise (was that from Feisty Blue Gecko?). Anyway, let’s keep up the suggestions for prompts. Here’s my stab at it:
Faith whispers. Love responds. Cancer deteriorates.
Wonderful. These six word examples are quite poetic aren’t they?
JAN!!!! I love that you got three sentences (and beautiful ones at that!) in SIX words…. xoxo
Alright, here’s something I learned summarized into six words. It’s a realization that is helping in recovery and moving forward, though not exactly poetic!
“My life is more than cancer.”
Catherine
Great writing challenge, by the way.
Perfect Catherine! And very appropriate for how you live your life after cancer.
Marie, thanks so much for picking up my challenge! I’m thrilled to see this spreading! So I came up with another 6-word memoir just for you:
Oncology: Not part of the plan.
Another one
I love it! And if I remember right you didn’t just stop at one haiku..but you did two!
Very creative idea–once again!
Here goes:
“Cancer creeps in; deny it home.”
I’m not wild about it. what about. . .
“Request for me whole? Firmly denied.”
The other ones are great.
Brilliant! I must make a collection of them all for the Facebook page.
Oh please do! My daughters and I make T-shirts for our annual Run for the Cure with slogans on them. These are SOOOO clever!
What a great excercise – I do love these (yes the three word task is one which I luxuriate in every year!)
I need to give some thought to the six word memoir as I am running off to work, but in the meantime here is a 5 worder which is not mine originally (not sure where I first saw it) but which I love and says so much – “Cancer sucks, but blogging rocks”!
I’ll be back with my own one later…….
Well I just love THAT!!!
a great exercise..
“YOU MADE ME LOVE ME”
Too sick for chemo – now WELL.
Also: No chemo but used Chinese herbs.
I’m too determined to be defeated…my six words
I looked healthy. I had cancer.
Part two:
I’m getting better. I look sick.
Now…let me go to Renn’s blog and put it there!!!! I miss you….. We lost each other on twitter….. twitter decided to unfollow you…. UGH… fixed it now!
xoxoxox
I thought it was very quiet on Twitter! Darn it! I missed you too..glad we hooked up again xxx
Cancer lingers, long after it’s gone
Breast Cancer persuaded me to live
Love that Jennifer! Thanks for sharing
Disfigurement does not include my soul.
Poignant and so beautiful:)
Thank you! It is the second part of a poem in Fine Black Lines: The breasts are gone, but I am whole. Disfigurement does not include my soul.
Hi Lois,
It has been years since we first (and last met). Hope you are doing well. You may remember me as another woman who wore a black sleeve – I only had one.
I founded Annie Appleseed Project and we’re hosting a conference in SF this year. Would love to see you there. I think we last met in SF at the Ca Breast Cancer Research Program event.
Stunning words Lois. I am so grateful to you that you continue to share your beautiful poetry so freely here with us
Want to say “hi” to Ann Fonfa. And to Marie – I’m glad to share.
Cancer sucks puttyballs through a straw!
Now that’s creative Kathy!
I am loving each and every one of these! Here is another:
Implants: imaginary mammaries hiding hideous loss
PS: Though I’m not at the implant stage yet, “tissue expanders” put me over the 6-word count. LOL!!
There’s just no stopping you Renn!
Cancer scars, the roadmaps of Superwomen.
These are wonderful – so diverse and conveying so much. Here’s a six worder from me (might be more coming too….)
Cancer? You’re kidding! Oh, you’re not.
LOVE it Philippa:) Great use of punctuation too
Clever!
Oh that’s a good one Philippa!
These were wonderful everyone…but don’t stop now. Keep them coming everyone! They are powerful!!!
This is great to read what ye all thought.
Cancer knocked.. door ajar…kicked it shut.
I know, 7 words but it is small and doesnt count.LOL
Love it
Thanks for taking part x
Cancer came, breasts went, life continues.
Thanks so much for sharing this Chris – really wonderful.
These are all great. I had forgotten about the challenge until Chris came in with such a good one. Reread them all – good stuff, cancer’s bad, poems good.
I had forgotten too Ann – so it was nice to reminded again – thanks for your comment also