by Nicole Cooper | Nov 30, 2017 | Cancer, Surgery
Before I can tell you about the surgery, I need to tell you this: writing started as a distraction. It was intentional, to take me out of the woods, to somewhere bright and warm and clear. And I knew, in truth, that my cancer monopolised me. Especially in the...
by Nicole Cooper | Oct 26, 2017 | Cancer, Chemotherapy, Neuropathy
First, I felt the ants. Their little legs tickling mine. I felt them as I sat quietly at the dining room table. I felt them as I wandered around the supermarket. I felt them boldly marching over my skin as I jumped and yelped and slapped at them. And then, just as...
by Nicole Cooper | Sep 10, 2017 | Cancer, Diet
I am about to make a small request. I am already uncomfortable about it. But my feisty-writer-self will not let me proceed to other ideas without first getting this off my chest. So here it goes: I do not wish to offend or intrude – but would like to ask that you...
by Nicole Cooper | Jul 22, 2017 | Cancer
‘Alright. Deep breath’. So I do. I take a deep breath. In. I forget if I exhale. I steady myself. It’s time. I walk into the room; a room, any room. It’s the same each time. Before the eyes, before the smiles, before the embraces. Before all of that, I wonder: ‘Who is...
by Nicole Cooper | Jun 25, 2017 | Cancer, Chemotherapy
I’ll admit, I have imagined music playing at the conclusion of my funeral. More than once, actually. Anxiously chewed my cheek and let a series of notes to an unnamed song fill my head. It is not the most inspiring of day dreams. And once a thought like that enters my...
by Nicole Cooper | Jun 2, 2017 | Cancer, Chemotherapy
Tuesdays are probably the nastiest days. Chemo Tuesdays. They are my low point. I am on a fortnightly chemotherapy treatment schedule. This means every second Monday, I have an in-hospital treatment on the Epworth Eastern Day Oncology ward that lasts around six hours....
