Oriental Wisdom

He told them to embrace their cancer,
And I didn't understand.
I think I get it now.
If you run from it, it can catch you.
If you hate it, your heart aches,
And your strength is drained from your body.
But if you turn and
Face it,
Respect it,
Confront it,
Perhaps, like a sumo wrestler
Who "embraces his opponent,"
You can lift it out of your circle.
You can triumph even if it outweighs you.
You can win even
If it throws you out of the circle.


| Gerald Freedman, MD
husband of Esther Freedman
Oct. 10, 1996 |

Before cancer I was healthy,
strong, my mind was sharp
and my memory like a steel
trap. I was successful. I had
stresses, but I was happy -- so
much was still to come,
especially for my little boy. I
was grateful for LIFE.
Spiritually, I was strong.


Enter cancer: I feel broken, not
whole. I have been altered. My
heart is broken, my dreams are
shattered. I question the future. I
question God. I am angry, I am
tired, I am coping-weary. I still
have stresses. I worry about my
little boy. There was a warmth,
now there is a darkness. I live in a
parallel universe. I have hope and
my spirituality has grown.


| J.Z. |

This large bird has picked me up

....to carry me away forever

  or

   to

    drop

     me gently

      back down to begin

       my life again.

How to Survive a Bone Marrow Transplant

1. Try to keep positive
2. Use imagery when needed
3. It does get better daily
4. It's ok not to eat
5. Visitors let them know you are the boss!
6. Nurses are great -- let them take care of you
7. Take walks -- make friends
8. Search out your resources
9. Give yourself a break
10. Sleeping is confusing...
11. Bring from home something of your self-accept gifts
12. What you think you want may not be what you really want
13. Keep open-minded
14. Ask questions, take notes, or keep a journal
15. Talk to others who have been through this experience
16. Keep your family informed
17. Be soft to yourself
18. When you arrive things change a lot but when you get ready to go home small changes awaken
19. Be open to expressing your creative spirit
20. Be grateful -- let go!

| H.T.
1/21/98 |

About the Artwork
Each image above links to a larger view. Works of poetry and artwork were created independently by individual patients unless otherwise stated. Names are withheld in some cases to protect the privacy of the individual. Initials, diagnoses, ages, and titles of artworks are used with permission. These works, which are not for sale, remain in the Art for Recovery collections at UCSF. Artwork, poetry, and statements may not be reprinted without permission.