All those dancing with NED

[Marily]

A DARKER shade of PINK

I see the ribbon’s pinkness and I ache to paint it black
No cure for those of us with “METS”, so take that ribbon back.
I watch the crowd race by me, all dressed in running clothes
I have to turn my head away until my sadness goes.

For some of us a darker, deeper shade of pink prevails
Doesn’t anybody know thatbreast metastases still ails?
Our fight continues, day by day, and some times year by year
For many that dark shadeof pink just will not disappear.

So many friends have walked this road, so many left behind
They fought so hard to stay with us, but cancer was unkind.
We have their names engraved inside, their sadness and their tears
Lost sisters with a strength and grit, who fought through endless fears.

We feel the many side effects of hopeful treatment choices
Neuropathies, bone loss and cramps, lost vigor in our voices.
We look back at the years of treatments -- they’ll go on and on
But dancing with a guy named NED is our triumphant song!

So when I see that ribbon pink, and then my own of wine
I must stand proud and wear that ribbon for lost friends of mine.
We’re sure to face more future trials -- results unknown, that’s true
We’re also making waves which may one day help some of you.

So please remember pink is worn to celebrate “stage one”
“Stage four” survivors share a shade of pink -- a darker one.
We pray that someday soon they’ll find a cure for this disease
And ribbons won’t be needed when we’ve brought cancer to its knees.
Marilyn E Daves

I am a reader here mostly lately.. and there always is so much that I learn from all of you..
I wrote this after my "support Group the YaYa's " all passed away after going along for over 6 years and left me the last standing frontiersman.

thank you all for giving so much on this list It brings not only information but so much support!
Marily

[DanaRT]

Marily,

I am touched by your poem.
It's powerful and beautiful.

Dana

[Mary Jo]

Hi Marily,

Thanks for sharing that thought provoking poem. It made me sad as I remember there are so many who struggle and suffer with stage 4 breast cancer. I truly am so sorry about that and like everyone else, wish it weren't so.

Congrats on your 8 years being NED. How wonderful for you.

Oh they "whys" of this disease. That's what always throws me. Why some treatment isn't effective for - why some it is - why some succumb to the disease and others don't. There is no rhyme or reason to this dreadful disease.

Again, thanks for the poem. May everyone who reads it offer up a prayer for those who struggle daily with this disease.

Love & Peace,

Mary Jo

[TriciaK]

Marily, I love your poem! it is really touching and so apropos for those of us who are stage 4. If I understand it right, stage 4 means that the original cancer has mets. My breast cancer, diagnosed in 1985, metastisized to my spine in 1990, then to my lungs in 2004, so have I been stage 4 since 1990? No one told me about stage 4 then, but I am definitely considered stage 4 now, and am NED again. I hope this thread will continue and will bring hope to those newly diagnosed, for there is hope, and we are all proof of that! Hugs, Tricia

[Jackie07]

Didn't mean to interrupt, but, Tricia, you are so inspiring! You give me a lot of hope. You made Stage IV sound like no big deal. Thanks for sharing.

[Joannie]

What a great idea to start this thread. I am officially 5 years on August 27, 2008 NED. Each day is a gift and one of the greatest gifts I have been fortunate enough to experience are the folks on this website that provide endless amounts of support, information, and prayers. I feel a truly remarkable connection to all those that post here.
Thanks for all that you all do!!!