Roberta L. Hughes

Enjoying nature reminded Hughes of hope and renewal, which she noted is important during any cancer treatment. 

Sometimes, when we share a cancer diagnosis with friends or family, they don’t know what to do — can they raise it later in conversation? They may quietly watch to make sure you’re “doing OK” when they think you aren’t looking. I have been fortunate so far that I do not exhibit much evidence of my cancer, beyond some brain fog/chemo brain episodes and signs of fatigue. However, I have observed how some people react when they see patients with cancer with obvious signs of chemo or radiation or in advanced stages of their cancer, sometimes even unintentionally staring. It can be difficult for everyone to accept the idea that “life goes on.”

This was inspired by a walk in the garden, enjoying sunshine and bright yellow patches of daffodils, listening to frogs in the stream wake from their hibernation. Certainly, spring lifts the spirit and brings a message of hope and renewal — an important part of any treatment.

This post was written and submitted by Roberta L. Hughes. The article reflects the views of Hughes and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

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Articles

When I told my friends and family I have multiple myeloma, some of them didn't know what to do. 

I'm Still Me Even Though I Have Myeloma

During a patient’s journey through cancer diagnosis and treatment, it is often difficult to remember the simple joys of living. Rainbows have always been a source of wonder and enjoyment for me, transporting me in my imagination beyond immediate concerns. Now meditation exercises are part of my cancer management routine and I often envision a soft pastel rainbow as a focal point. I wrote this poem because I want to share the benefits of simple meditation with others, encouraging them to find to find their own focal points so they can move outside their concerns for a short respite. The poem is written in the traditional Japanese haiku style of three lines, the first and last line with five syllables and the middle line with seven. This is a more structured formula than most English haiku; I find this formula helps me focus on the essence of the meditation process.

This poem was originally submitted for the CURE® 2021 Poetry Contest.

Remembering the simple joys of living and transporting yourself beyond immediate concerns can be helpful for patients with cancer, one woman explains in a poem.

Roberta L. Hughes

I'm Still Me Even Though I Have Myeloma

Using Meditation for Cancer Management

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