“I wish I could go back in time to my life before The News. Before my eyes would seek the arms on the clock like a tic just to calculate: A few minutes ago, my life was different. An hour ago, I didn’t know. Twenty-four hours ago, I had no idea my life was about to change forever. Friday, one week later, I have a moment of normality when I first wake up. Just a moment. A single moment before remembering. At this time a week ago, I still didn’t know. For the rest of my life, I will never not know.” KnowingTragedyTraumaDiagnosisTraumatic Experiences Book:Survived By: A Memoir in Verse + Other Poems Source: Survived By: A Memoir in Verse + Other Poems
“I feel disconnected from the people who I know have not experienced the exposed nerves of a close loved one yanked by pliers from one's jaws. I am different from them now. They can’t know the festering wound staining my teeth red, can't know the taste of salt and iron in everything I eat.” PainDeathLossGriefCancerTraumaBereavement Book:Survived By: A Memoir in Verse + Other Poems Source: Survived By: A Memoir in Verse + Other Poems