I recently came across a poem I saved many years ago titled “Surviving Cancer” and thought it worthy of being shared.  The poem was written by Jill Warren and was included in a book my mom gave me, Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul.  I used this poem when I was in college and had to give a presentation in a communications class. I thought it was a perfect way to summarize my experience and send a message about life at the same time.

Surviving Cancer

It seems like only yesterday
my doctor told me I had cancer,
and when I asked, “How long do I have?”
he didn’t have an answer.

And it seemed to me that time stood still
and the room turned upside down.
Life just stopped and I started at him
and I didn’t hear a sound.

And a thousand years flashed by my eyes
as I thought of all I’d miss,
of the laughs and smiles of those I loved
and my one–year-old daughter’s kiss.

And I realized right then and there
the time that I had wasted,
of all the things I’d never done
and all the life untasted.

And I thought of all the silly things
that occupied our day,
like the stupid fight we had last night
over bills we had to pay.

Twenty-two years have come and gone
and I’m still at the dance.
I guess that God just changed his mind
and gave me another chance.

And on that day I took a vow
to let go of the past,
to love my life and love each day
as if it were my last.

For only God can know these things
the day, the hour, the time,
but on this day I am alive
and all the world is mine.

I changed a few words so that it fit my situation. Those changes are in bold in the poem above.

I think this poem is a perfect combination of how I felt then and how I feel now…when I was diagnosed, I was so young but now I can truly appreciate how trivial it is to go to bed mad or waste time fighting over bills. Even though I almost died, I can’t say that I have always lived each day as if it were my last but that has recently changed, I am back on track and I am taking a vow…

I’m letting go of the past, I’m living my life, loving each day..

On this day I am alive and all the world is mine!

You are still at the dance…live like it!