A Poem by Sophie Mccluskey
The Drug of Time
The hospital cleaner grumbled
No one could have cleaned that weekend
Because of the abundance of hairs, that lay bare
In my isolated room.
It would take her all of 10 minutes
To clear the mess
10 weeks of chemo had made
But there were some messes she couldn’t undo.
At least I was out the ICU,
And despite covid rules
My Grandma was given special privileges to visit
I didn’t know till later
This was 10 minutes
After her own devastating health news.
When she left,
It took me less than 10 seconds
To eat the chocolates she gave me
And even less time to miss her.
Later that day the oncologist came around
And I learned the chemo hadn’t worked,
But there was something new,
You, were just approved.
I was eligible because of a gene mutation
Found after a 10 minute call with a stranger
Who encouraged my consent
On the the last day
Of a study offered to a select few
I still remember her name,
Lexi, it’s easier to pronounce than you.
Less than 10 pages
To know what I was getting into,
But little with options left,
I ticked yes.
10 days after discharge
The day staff had been trained
And I was back, treatment round number two!
I remember the words palliative,
How there was and is
Currently no cure for my disease
But they would give you to me,
Compassionately
It could be said you are a sticking plaster,
But you have given me a happy every after;
After losing my hair
After losing my weight
After losing my confidence in a hospitalised state
10 months and counting
Of new memories,
And days feeling more like me
However long you work
I’ll be forever grateful
You’ve been my bodies trustee.