My name is Doug Haberstroh, and this is the story of my wife Keri, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 at the age of 25.
In this message to friends and family, Keri reflects on the past year since her breast cancer diagnosis in a poem. The funny thing about the poem, or at least the funny thing to me, is that I never saw this poem until a friend put all her e-mails together for me in a scrapbook.
When I went through the scrapbook and finally came upon the poem I lost it and had to put the scrapbook away for a while. I now have the poem memorized by heart.
It's not every day you get to look into the heart and emotions of a loved one, but Keri has now given me that chance every time I read her poem.
Thank you, Babe. I loved you then, now, and forever.
Doug
Subject: Year One
Sent: Friday, April 7, 2006 10:57 AM
Hi Everyone,
Just a little something I wrote to express myself about this occasion. It's a little long, but gets my thoughts out.
It's been exactly one year
Since I was first to hear
The scariest words
That began my fear.
Breast Cancer was said
And I dropped my head
As my tears fell down
My heart filled with dread.
Why me? I thought
It was answers I sought
Was it something I did
Or maybe something I did not.
Chemo treatments came first
Side effects were the worst
A bad reaction I had
Then back to health I was nursed.
Surgery then came
I would never be the same
I was missing a part
From my small body frame.
The healing was slow
But I worked hard to show
The amount of strength
That in my body did flow.
Then the doctor's advice
Extra chemo would be nice
To make sure it's gone
A few treatments should suffice.
Reconstruction was to follow
I would finally not feel hollow
Expanding was a pain
But not too hard to swallow.
In the end it looked so good
As close to perfect as it could
I felt a little more normal
Coming to the end of this journey felt good.
Through it all I never doubted
The love and support that had surrounded
Many prayers were said for me
And my faith they kept founded.
I'll never forget the experience I had
Even though a lot was sad
But the lessons that I learned
Have made me glad
That I got a second chance
At the life I had.
The cancer moved I regret
It's not quite over yet
But God has a plan for me
And it's a good one I bet.
One day we'll see the end
The memories will all blend
And in my life
A new door will be opened.
