Some context about my battle photo above: I created it using AI.
To be clear—I have zero drawing, painting, or even coloring-inside-the-lines skills. At first, I gave her an age appropriate face. But then I thought, fuck it—why not give her a princess face? Because no matter what we’re going through, we are all beautiful, strong, and worthy of that crown.
The little red bird smiling down? That’s my Mama. ❤️ When she was in her last cancer battle, people would ask her, “Don’t you feel like, poor me? Why me?” And she would smile and say, “Why not me? Life happens to everyone.”
This photo isn’t just art—it’s a reminder that even in battle, we choose how we see ourselves: not broken, not defeated, but beautiful, courageous, and alive.
Here, I Wait
As we sat in the oncologist’s office, already knowing that I had a cancer, my husband asked me how I felt. Like every woman everywhere, I said, ‘Fine, I’m fine.’ But then, with no conscious thought, I picked up my notepad, and fingers flying, I wrote my feelings.
Sitting here waiting
In hard chair purgatory
Waiting for the plan
To beat or be beaten
I've done this before
It should be easy
Cancer again at the door
I'm all over queasy
Mouth dry
Blood pressure high
I cannot be still
I can't fix this with sheer will
What will it be
Poison or Fire
What a choice
Where is my voice
Whatever it brings
Remember who I am
Do not go down without a fight
Remember your might
Stand up and fight
Remember to keep living
Do not lose your light
Through Poison and Fire
Stay true
Be You
The woman you are
Your Mother's Daughter!
Look Inside
Though cancer’s invaded,
No visible scars.
Til they drill in a port,
For the poison dart.
A head full of hair,
Skin smooth, unmarred.
A natural gait—
I sit and I wait.
Cancer’s invaded,
But you cannot see.
Unless you look deeply,
Enough… to see me.
Second Battle, Same Me 