Congratulations, Matt, on surviving not only the disease but also the treatment. I hope your remission is complete and permanent. We need more powerful and beautiful poems like this one. That was one helluva luncheon.
oh Matt, I so loved this. your poem, your comments. congratulations on finishing your treatment. you captured everything that one lives with with a cancer diagnosis (I was lucky, I did not need radiation treatments). The fear, the attempts at humor, concern for others, the simple things in life. It's all about the living. thank you
This sure hit home as has following your prickly journey. Can’t help but get tears of happiness for your success and that a newer treatment was available for you that didn’t exist when my partner, Jerry got prostate cancer. At 54 he got an early, aggressive form not detectable by the usual tests and dead at 56 which was partly his choice. Jerry finally got fed up with the personality changing hormone treatments following a bit of burnt kidney from the more traditional radiation treatments so he could have surgery. He was somewhat lucky that those penile and peeing concerns did not take hold and more lucky that he felt he had lived a full, rewarding life with no regrets in those short years. Thank you for your powerful poem❣️ Keep on keeping on with a joyful, love-filled, healthy, creative life.
I feel extremely lucky to exist in this time and place, and I will frankly say that the treatments available for most forms of cancer stll seem to be in the stone ages. My first urologist acted as if surgery were my only option. Fortunately, living in a medical town, I was given several other choices.
Wishing you well in 2026. It's a lot. Good to see your photo, looking sharp, and still very much here with us. I enjoy your work and always look forward to reading it. On letting loose gas in company, my Jewish siblings growing up always made me laugh. They called theirs "Tookus burps." I miss how much fun we had before our parents' divorced very unpleasantly. And yes, there are so many good folks, worthy causes, and a lot of work to do. The power of the good, as far as I have experienced it, both in receiving and giving it, is the only real power because it actually teaches and helps us grow. Keep sharing, Matt. It helps me, your wonderful lines and stories. Good to hear where to find it other than in Juke. Will do. Constance
Congrats, amigo; great to see you're back in the saddle and ready for new projects and a bit of fun. Kevorkians unite!
Congratulations, Matt, on surviving not only the disease but also the treatment. I hope your remission is complete and permanent. We need more powerful and beautiful poems like this one. That was one helluva luncheon.
Thank you, Sue!
I'm lucky to be surrounded by lots of supportive friends and family.
Here's to more poetry and more good lunches. <3
Indeed, food and verse gets us through life.
oh Matt, I so loved this. your poem, your comments. congratulations on finishing your treatment. you captured everything that one lives with with a cancer diagnosis (I was lucky, I did not need radiation treatments). The fear, the attempts at humor, concern for others, the simple things in life. It's all about the living. thank you
Thank you so much, Tabby!
It's been a wild ride these past several years, and so far, things aren't slowing down.
I appreciate your kindness and your incredible artistic vision.
You inspire.
Congratulations on getting through this insidious disease & trying treatments with so much grace, humanity, gratitude & bad-ass humor! Kudos. ✌🏼❤️
This sure hit home as has following your prickly journey. Can’t help but get tears of happiness for your success and that a newer treatment was available for you that didn’t exist when my partner, Jerry got prostate cancer. At 54 he got an early, aggressive form not detectable by the usual tests and dead at 56 which was partly his choice. Jerry finally got fed up with the personality changing hormone treatments following a bit of burnt kidney from the more traditional radiation treatments so he could have surgery. He was somewhat lucky that those penile and peeing concerns did not take hold and more lucky that he felt he had lived a full, rewarding life with no regrets in those short years. Thank you for your powerful poem❣️ Keep on keeping on with a joyful, love-filled, healthy, creative life.
I'm so very sorry about your partner.
I feel extremely lucky to exist in this time and place, and I will frankly say that the treatments available for most forms of cancer stll seem to be in the stone ages. My first urologist acted as if surgery were my only option. Fortunately, living in a medical town, I was given several other choices.
Wishing you well in 2026. It's a lot. Good to see your photo, looking sharp, and still very much here with us. I enjoy your work and always look forward to reading it. On letting loose gas in company, my Jewish siblings growing up always made me laugh. They called theirs "Tookus burps." I miss how much fun we had before our parents' divorced very unpleasantly. And yes, there are so many good folks, worthy causes, and a lot of work to do. The power of the good, as far as I have experienced it, both in receiving and giving it, is the only real power because it actually teaches and helps us grow. Keep sharing, Matt. It helps me, your wonderful lines and stories. Good to hear where to find it other than in Juke. Will do. Constance