Once a Survivor, Forever a Fighter | Teen Ink

Once a Survivor, Forever a Fighter

December 21, 2011
By Shmelmo GOLD, Elma, Iowa
Shmelmo GOLD, Elma, Iowa
16 articles 9 photos 143 comments

Favorite Quote:
You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.


My Grandma was once a survivor.
She was determined; knew what she was fighting for.
But cancer has more plans now. It has struck once again.
They say it’s worse, and this time, she cannot win.
After radiation fails, she returns back home.
Cancer definitely taken its toll, and it just doesn’t seem fair.
She looks so fragile, as if my slightest touch could shatter her
Every
Aching
Bone
I gently kiss her bald head, and as if sound would hurt, I whisper,
“Hey Grandma. I love you.”
She seems confused. Rather fazed.
I carry on my own conversation about my days.
She sits and she listens. She is so quiet, so weak.
Then she looks up at me and smiles, ever so slightly.
A tear runs down my cheek, and I touch her hand lightly.
Everyday, she slowly starts to fade away.
But still, I pray for her every single day.

The author's comments:
A few years ago my Grandma was diagnosed with Breast cancer. She took Chemo and radiation and survived. This summer, she became sick again. After a false diagnosis and many months of being sick, the doctors found the cancer. Unfortunately, it was too late. It has spread throughout her entire body, eating her up little by little. She has decided not to go through with Chemo now, as it will only extend her life by a few weeks. Doctors give her a few months, nothing more. I wrote this poem for you Grandma. I love you...be strong! :')

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This article has 56 comments.


on Feb. 6 2012 at 8:08 pm
Donahue8 BRONZE, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
4 articles 1 photo 86 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The only easy day was Yesterday" -U.S. Navy SEALs

I'm so sorry I didn't reply. My server timed out in the middle of typing back to you.

on Feb. 6 2012 at 7:38 pm
Donahue8 BRONZE, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
4 articles 1 photo 86 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The only easy day was Yesterday" -U.S. Navy SEALs

wow.. this is really powerful! apsolutly captivating!! I really loved everything, and not just the content, but the phrasing and imagery! I feel so bad though :( my grandma recently passed away. She lived with us since i was born and I was always really close with her, a lot closer than my brothers. I can really relate with this, I'm so sorry I hope she stays strong!!

Shivam GOLD said...
on Feb. 6 2012 at 7:12 am
Shivam GOLD, Lucknow, Other
19 articles 0 photos 87 comments

Favorite Quote:
Its nothing like nothing or all.. its just that how far you climb up the tree before you fall..

all i can say is.. the poem is made up of true emotions...great work...!

butterfly123 said...
on Feb. 6 2012 at 7:12 am
butterfly123, Banglore, Other
0 articles 0 photos 408 comments
hey! amazing poem. i have no words for it except for devastating and mindblowing. i am so sorry about your grandmommy. anyway keep writing and 5/5 from me

on Feb. 5 2012 at 10:34 pm
NeverBroken BRONZE, Chesterfield, Virginia
2 articles 9 photos 42 comments

Favorite Quote:
You have no idea what it's like being me, therefore you have no right to judge me

This brought a tear to my eye...I've never had a family member have cancer but i've known others who have and I just feel so sad for them, everytime i read a story about cancer or watch a movie about it I always end up crying and wishing I could just make a cure for cancer-even though I'm no scientist and I have no plans on being a doctor, but still it's so sad and I'm sorry about your grandma, this was a really great poem and it is very touching.

dojojak said...
on Feb. 5 2012 at 10:05 pm
dojojak, Winkler, Other
0 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
quiting is hard but not quiting is harder.

wow, this was very touching and a very good choice of words

on Jan. 31 2012 at 11:04 am
SeizeTheDay SILVER, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
7 articles 0 photos 60 comments

Favorite Quote:
Carpe Diem (Seize the day).

Very moving. I love it when people find a creative release in writing. Keep up the amazing job, and stay strong.

on Jan. 30 2012 at 7:35 pm
Ruthie_j BRONZE, Lilburn, Georgia
3 articles 5 photos 29 comments

Favorite Quote:
The Church Is Not a Bless Me Club .

WOW. that is absolutely touching!!! wowww

Guadalupee said...
on Jan. 30 2012 at 1:51 pm
Guadalupee, Dallas, Texas
0 articles 1 photo 2 comments
Yuh Turned Yur Pain Into A Great Poem ! How Creativee (:

on Jan. 30 2012 at 7:16 am
readaholic PLATINUM, Tomahawk, Wisconsin
27 articles 0 photos 425 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather fail because I fell on my own face than fall because someone tripped me up
~Jhonen Vasquez

Good poem, it has tons of feeling...really good!

on Jan. 29 2012 at 9:49 pm
QuietMusician BRONZE, Wheelock, Texas
1 article 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
“If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
C.S. Lewis

I can really relate to this. My grandmother has breast cancer too, and also my aunt. I hope you stay strong and hopeful. :)

on Jan. 29 2012 at 2:00 pm
missloveliee SILVER, Vienna, Virginia
9 articles 2 photos 21 comments
Touching. Great job. :)

Ella1 GOLD said...
on Jan. 29 2012 at 11:44 am
Ella1 GOLD,
14 articles 7 photos 137 comments
This is really good. I can relate because a few people in my family have had cancer, including my grandma who also had breast cancer. She was able to survive and keep fighting, grandma's are strong :) Great job! Could you read my poem A Pink Watch, Portal, and Perpetual Sea if you get a chance? Thank you

TapTap SILVER said...
on Jan. 29 2012 at 10:22 am
TapTap SILVER, New Berlin, Wisconsin
8 articles 0 photos 146 comments

Favorite Quote:
Dream as if you'll live forever, love like there is no tomorrow, dance like there is no one watching.

Love it hun, be strong.

Phoenix. said...
on Jan. 26 2012 at 10:05 pm
Phoenix., Pittsfield, Pennsylvania
0 articles 0 photos 93 comments
that is very sad but i did think you did a great job sorry about your grandma BE STRONG!

BugRaRa said...
on Jan. 26 2012 at 4:12 pm
Oh my gosh that is beautiful Emma, it Brought tears to my eyes, and really touched me!! You are amazing!! Keep writing. I Love you much sis!!

on Jan. 26 2012 at 9:19 am
Lovechild1222 BRONZE, Detroit, Michigan
1 article 0 photos 3 comments
beautiful i can pictre you and your grandmother together and you sitting there telling her about your day i love it

on Jan. 26 2012 at 4:11 am
stardreamer SILVER, Flemington, New Jersey
5 articles 0 photos 29 comments
aww this was so sweet and very good :( It's important to remember to never give up adn also that your grandmother will always be there for you. keep you hopes up and keep praying

on Jan. 25 2012 at 8:15 pm
youngwriter10 SILVER, Redmond, Oregon
9 articles 0 photos 20 comments

Favorite Quote:
"We've all heard that we have to learn from our mistakes, but I think it's more important to learn from successes. If you learn only from your mistakes, you are inclined to learn only errors."
-Norman Vincent Peale

Very good :(

on Jan. 25 2012 at 3:18 pm
Ezzallenne PLATINUM, Austell, Georgia
32 articles 3 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Fall down seven times; stand up eight."

Wow. that's really good. I'm sorry about your grandmother, and just keep praying. :) God will listen.