Surviving Cancer: Poetry and Prose is a blend of poems, short reflections, and spiritual notes that trace your journey through cancer, aging, gratitude, and faith. Your poetry shares a deeply personal experience and changes in your worldview. How hard was it to put this collection out in the world for people to read?

It was NOT difficult at all to write this book because it came from my heart, my experiences, and my mission or purpose to help others. Practically most or all of my writings are to create for good cause. Writing Surviving Cancer was really a “labor of love.” Upon publishing the book, many people were interested in reading it because they survived cancer, knew someone dear to them who had been diagnosed with cancer and either survived or died.

Do you have a favorite poem in the book, and if so, why does it hold special meaning for you?

The following poem from my book is my favorite and is meaningful for me because it explains my sweet-and-sour experience of cancer treatment in order that readers may understand and appreciate the cancer experience:

CANCER: A SWEET-AND-SOUR EXPERIENCE

In July 2020, I was diagnosed with cancer as a doctor said;
Without my earthly and heavenly guardian angels and good healthcare,
I certainly could be dead;

I suspected such diagnosis and thus had no fear;
Neither did I breathe deeply or shed a tear;

I told a few among family and friends soon after one day,
Because cancer is not something that I’m ashamed to say;

Yes, through the pain from surgery and chemo, I never lost sight—
Of the joy and appreciation of my kind and competent healthcare
workers both day and night;

Loving family and friends were there by my side,
While impostors found a way to dodge and hide;

And, of course, I prayed for God to allow me to live to do His will—
And not let microscopic cancer cells find a way to kill;

And now I’m cured and cancer-free;
I’m ready to continue God’s work as usual and as you can now see.

Note. This poem was written during December, 2020 soon after my chemo treatment and cancer-free diagnosis.

How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?

I never thought that I would die from cancer; however, I learned to be even more appreciative of my life and purpose after surviving and still remaining here among the living on Earth. Even more, I learned who among my friends and family, whom I told, were supportive and there for me during my treatment. My diagnosis and successful treatment of cancer convinced me more than ever that my life has been guided and protected by God and my ancestors. The writing of this book changed me by enhancing my humility and increasing my mission of helping others.

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from Surviving Cancer: Poetry and Prose?

I contracted cancer of the colon because I refused to submit to a colonoscopy until symptoms suggested that I needed to see a gastroenterologist—symptoms that included significant loss of weight, loss of appetite, and iron-deficient anemia. I was blessed to survive cancer; therefore, I urge readers of my book to get a colonoscopy or screening for other types of cancers before it is possibly too late. Many cancers are preventable if diagnosed and treated in their early stages. 

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