I am a voice, though only small for all who hold the reins

As they watch their loved ones battle with the stresses and the strains

Of a plague that lends no favors to gender or to race

That silently invades the sacred body without grace.

"Cancer" is that dreaded curse that changes lives forever

For not only the affected, but also their caregiver.

I am a voice, who through my words will bless you with some hope

For caregivers putting lives on hold and thinking they can't cope

Please take a moment now as I relay what I've been through

And at the end you'll soon find out that it's not only you

Who feels your life is overwhelmed, altered and distressed

As emotions overtake you through a phase of utmost tests.

I am a voice, to tell you, I know exactly how you feel

The constant aching in your heart is oh, so very real.

Sure, you've heard of others out there, maybe friends who've walked this path

But now it's you and this time you directly feel it's wrath.

Every person has suggestions, and you're burdened from the bulk

Heck, at times you even hate them, but you know it's not their fault!

I am a voice, who's traveled through the stages cancer brings

Although I'm not the patient, the diagnosis gave me things

Like emotions that I'd never think were possible for me

To have in my entire life, but continue on and see

That cancer changes everyone, right from the very start

It affects your disposition, your temperament and heart.

I am a voice, who knows that "disbelief" is the first wave

Of emotions that sweep over you when diagnosis has been made.

How could this be? What did we do? There must be some mistake

For surely it cannot be us, who now are tempting fate.

Then follows "fear" for us as well, as we feel we've lost control

The panic, sleepless nights ahead, no one will ever know.

I am a voice, I know first hand when "anger" takes it's toll

It's a devastating feeling of 'why me,' emotions roll

I'm enraged, bitter, exhausted, at the situation that I'm in

I can strike out at a stranger as my temper's wearing thin.

I trust that those around me will forgive me for my acts

I pray that they will never carry what I'm faced with on their backs!

I am a voice, though sometimes haunted by the things I've felt inside

When that telephone starts ringing, I just want to run and hide.

Or maybe someone's come to visit, ooohhhhhh, why don't they stay away

Can't they understand I'm busy, I don't have time for tea or play.

Their suggestions drive me crazy, constant questions and advice

You'll just have to take the lead dear, tell them "back off," but be nice.

I am a voice, who knows our friends and families always there

They really only mean well, they intrude because they care.

But they need to take a step back if they venture on our sod

For only we can understand, they need to walk where we have trod.

We are the ones who anxiously await each doctor's visit, scans and tests

While our loved ones look for courage, we still must smile and do our best.

I am a voice, "frustration" haunts me more and more each day

I slash out at my loved ones and I know that's not the way.

I took my freedom once for granted, now life's different for I feel

Constant waves of guilt, resentment, my life's not mine, it's all too real.

You need time for YOU, so make it, ask someone to take your place

Don't feel like you've abandoned those you love, that's not the case!

I am a voice, as mother, father, sister, brother, kin or friend

As caregiver I am challenged to do my best right to the end.

Even though I've never learned this, the way to care under such stress

And I'm sure to have misgivings, but I know I'll do my best.

For in life we all are challenged, faced with unknowns as we grow

My position as caregiver, is a treasure this I know.

For I've been given talents that I never would have guessed

That will serve to do God's bidding and I know I'm truly blessed.

For He's given me the honor to help my loved ones in their need

And to bring them hope and courage and for me to plant a seed

That will grow a field of memories, I could have run, I had the choice

We're all revered to be CAREGIVERS, now pass the torch and be a voice!

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