Responses
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. How awful. I don’t know what to say. At least they caught it early. Oh, they didn’t? Well, I’m sure you’ll still be OK. My friend’s got that. She’s having chemo – Head … Read more
Writing: Blog: The Big J vs The Big C
Making the breast of a bad situation …
On 4 October 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This blog charts my progress through treatment, and continued enjoyment of life, love and friendship.
Btw, that picture is not me.
Telling Time
My body is a timeline with every thick and fine line marking a milestone time-grown Each tract and fracture captured and preserved a chapter in each roll and curve My belly tells in its size and its hide of what’s been … Read more
WordSpace Leeds
Venue: WordSpace, 135 New Road Side, Leeds LS18 4RJ As WordSpace launches its writers’ anthology, Janine interrupts with a slot warming up for her The Big J (and the NHS) vs The Big C tour.
The Big J (and the NHS) vs The Big C
Poet, author and activist Janine Booth was part of the ranting poetry movement in the 1980s, performing as ‘The Big J’. In late 2016, she discovered a strange indentation in her right breast and was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. … Read more
Roadside Breakdown
She has to pull up as she’s overheating Her engine sputters the dashboard’s beeping She’s burning up and burning out worn and way past her best Struggled to get through her last annual test She’s found it more arduous as she … Read more
Oophorectomy
Ovaries Out Plus Hysterectomy, hopeful Outcome: odds Radically reduced Ensuring Cancer can’t Touch, take Obstruct or obliviate My many more Years This poem is included in the book, The Big J vs The Big C: issues, experiences and poems in … Read more
Lucky Me
What a lucky fucker am I that when that firework hit my eye I didn’t die And who even knew that although you’re better off with two that just one eye will do just fine, you see Lucky, lucky me … Read more
Homage to Hospitals
All hail to public hospitals Which treat us at no cost at all Come forth and heed the homage call Give thanks and praise Admire their shiny corridors The wonder drugs in well-stocked stores And colour-coded wings and floors And … Read more
That Looks Suspicious
Two weeks ago, I posted that I had my second annual post-surgery mammogram and that the medics had found no signs of cancer. That was the truth, but a slightly economical version of it. They found no signs of cancer … Read more
A Warm Hand
I wanted to clap at the funeral today But I think that is seen as poor taste I longed to applaud such a brilliant speech But I feared it would seem out of place I wanted to shout ‘Hear! Hear!’ … Read more
Menopausal Dryness
More intimate with Intimate moisturiser Than I’d like to be
Lives Shortened
Sorry? Is Jeremy Hunt for real? Up to 270 dead is the toll of that ‘glitch’ That is Hundreds of women gone unscanned, untreated Hundreds of women gone That is the toll of that ‘glitch’ Up to 270 dead is … Read more
No ‘Arm in Getting it Checked Out
When they released me from A&E last week, they pressed into my hand a letter telling me to come back to the hospital this morning to visit the HAMU. HAMU? Wtf? It turns out that this is the Homerton Ambulatory Medicine … Read more
Give Us a Clue
Cancer Research UK has ruffled some feathers with its campaign to publicise the links between obesity and cancer, prompting accusations of ‘fat-shaming’. I’m not easily offended – in fact, I dislike the whole notion of ‘offence’ – but the campaign does deserve … Read more
Hello Hospital, My Old Friend
I’ve just got home from hospital. There’s no need to overly worry yourself: I’m OK, all things considered. Here’s the story … In the middle of last night, while I was at work, my right arm began to feel uncomfortable. … Read more
Hot Flush
by Donna How-I’m-Gonna-Cope-Come Summer Sittin’ here sweatin’ my heart out waitin’ Waitin’ for my temperature to fall Tried about a thousand remedies lately Want to bash my head on the wall Gonna have a hot flush, baby, this evenin’ Gonna … Read more
Skeleton Service: Dense Bones and Digital Disasters
Today I received my test result, with the delightful news that my bone density is normal. It is a seasonal relief to know that I am not walking around on a skeleton that is on the point of snapping or … Read more
Scanning Bones
Yesterday, I had a bone density scan, to ascertain how dense I am. Or how dense my bones are, anyway. This is because my new anti-cancer pill, Letrozole, has an annoying tendency (known as a ‘side effect’, I believe) ot thinning your … Read more
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
It is most excellent weather for menopausal women. While others moan and bring phrases like ‘brass monkeys’ and ‘stone jug’ out of hibernation, I am enjoying blessed relief from the hot flushes and night sweats. I walked down the Euston Road the … Read more
Eyes on the Prize
The Pfizer guys are haggling with the NICE And while they talk, the cancer spreads again You’ll get your pills when they’ve agreed a price You’ll get your answer when they’ve rolled their dice And dealt your hand out in … Read more