Face to Face with the Devil itself- Brain Cancer

* This poem is dedicated to my father who is currently battling brain cancer *

I come in many different shapes and sizes
Sometimes the damage is done before you even realize it
Sometimes I stay, Sometimes I leave
Regardless of the case, I always cause grief
I rob people of who they are
I take everything from them- inside and out
Leaving them with nothing but confusion and doubt
I cause anger and despair
Making families question why life is so unfair.
I do not discriminate based on age, gender or if you’re red, gray or blue.
Despite all that, I am coming for you.
I’ll steal your independence so you cannot walk.
Did I forget to mention I will not let you talk?
I’ll leave you trapped in your own head
While you desperately search for the words that need to be said.
And it is not just you that I show no mercy to.
Your family and friends will feel the wrath of me too.
I won’t let you make new memories as you cannot remember the old.
I know what you’re thinking.
Why do I have to be so cold?
But that is the role, my job you can say.
If it was not for me how would doctors make more money today?
They will tell you there is no cure, that they aren’t sure the cause
But something doesn’t add up. That explanation is flawed.
You’ll pray for a miracle, that I will go away
But that isn’t going to happen as I am here to stay.
Every day I will make sure you slowly fade away.
How does that sound to you?
Does that sound okay?
You’ll never know how debilitating this disease can be
Until it happens to you or your family.
Brain cancer more than sucks and we should not just acknowledge it in May.
For some it’s a struggle day after day.

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Opinions expressed within this story belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of the National Brain Tumor Society.