Thursday, August 22, 2013

In my Mother’s Footsteps…


















“The bile in my throat betrays the fear;
I stave against the words that I may hear”

Today I learn my fate—
not from crystal ball,
but from some robot
preprogrammed to find  
even tiniest trace of  
genetic mutation.

Name finally called;
walking toward office,
doctor whispers:
  “I have good news for you…”

    …and tears escape.

© Ginny Brannan 2013
In loving memory of my mom, Tina (1921-1963)

A story in 55 words, shared at d’Verse Meeting the Bar: Getting Tight (in here)
Sharing with the G-man, Mr. KnowItAll Friday Flash 55

The first two lines written a couple of weeks ago as I was awaiting results for BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing. Wasn’t sure where I was going to go with them, but they rolled over well into my 55 word story. Thanks for the idea Brian!  

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38 comments:

  1. MaryAugust 22, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    I could feel the relief at the end of this poem! You must have felt SO ecstatic that the results were negative & that you had a new lease on life!!

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    1. Ginny BrannanAugust 22, 2013 at 9:40 PM

      Carrying the marker did not mean I had the disease already, just that I was at really high risk to get it. Yessiree, definitely feels like a new lease!

      Delete
  2. Brian MillerAugust 22, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    oh thank goodness for good news eh? i hate that waiting because your imagination def runs with those things creating all kinds of monsters in you brain...yay!

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    1. Ginny BrannanAugust 22, 2013 at 9:38 PM

      Yeah, imagination and fear of the unknown can wreak havoc for sure!

      Delete
  3. Buddah MoskowitzAugust 22, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Wonderful - loved the build up and the pay off.

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    1. Ginny BrannanAugust 22, 2013 at 9:35 PM

      Thanks, I was hoping that the story worked, that it came through despite the briefness.

      Delete
  4. aka_andreaAugust 22, 2013 at 6:03 PM

    congratulations and what a wonderful way to end your story~

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  5. ScarletAugust 22, 2013 at 6:27 PM

    If this is good news, I am very happy for you ~ What a relief ~

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  6. AnonymousAugust 22, 2013 at 6:57 PM

    So happy all worked out well... :)

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  7. AnonymousAugust 22, 2013 at 8:19 PM

    Thank God, Ginny. This is a 2 generation memoir in 55 words. Of course, there's a lot of blanks to fill in!

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    1. Ginny BrannanAugust 22, 2013 at 9:07 PM

      Victoria, here are some of the blanks: My mom died of advanced ovarian cancer, the "silent" killer, long before early detection existed.This cancer can be random or genetic. The BRCA gene mutation causes ovarian, breast or skin cancer in women, or prostate and skin cancer in men (yes, I could've passed it to my son!) I chose to finally be tested, a blood sample sent to Salt Lake City, tested first by robot, then re-tested and confirmed by a human. Six weeks to get results, to learn that I am so very lucky, I am not a carrier of that genetic marker.

      Delete
  8. MargaretAugust 22, 2013 at 9:06 PM

    Oh, Ginny. Every second is agony when waiting, waiting... waiting. I can only imagine your relief. It must have been like walking on air when you left the doctors office. This 55 is a perfect vehicle - for some reason the brevity highlights the agony of waiting.

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    1. Ginny BrannanAugust 22, 2013 at 9:32 PM

      On air, oh yes! Incredible lightness of being comes to mind!!

      Delete
  9. author.nara.maloneAugust 22, 2013 at 9:49 PM

    Great news! Hugs.

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  10. Kathy ReedAugust 22, 2013 at 10:45 PM

    What a great 55 word story! That big sigh of relief came through for you on paper in a keep fashion ;) Congrats! Ovarian cancer is really something to deal with..

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    1. Ginny BrannanAugust 25, 2013 at 8:46 PM

      Thanks kkkaty. I was young but watched my mom deal with it, and something I could never forget. Yes, it is something...

      Delete
  11. AnonymousAugust 23, 2013 at 2:45 AM

    We can feel your relief through your 55 words! Good news!

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  12. vb holmesAugust 23, 2013 at 6:47 AM

    Strong emotions told in few words--nicely done.

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  13. Janine BolléeAugust 23, 2013 at 8:54 AM

    Sending shivers down my spine and goosebumps on my arms. Mine is next week. Glad of your news.

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  14. hedgewitchAugust 23, 2013 at 10:37 AM

    The tension, then relief, is palpable here--well-done 55 Ginny, and so glad to hear the news was good.

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  15. G-ManAugust 23, 2013 at 10:51 AM

    Ginny...
    What a WONDERFUL 55
    Good News makes me smile.
    Thanks for playing, you are always welcome to come
    back. love the pic, have a Kick Ass Week-End

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    Replies
    1. Ginny BrannanAugust 24, 2013 at 6:26 PM

      Thanks so much, G-Man. Glad you liked the pic and the 55! Will come by again :-)

      Delete
  16. kelvin s.m.August 23, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    ....that must have been a long long wait but well worth for the good news it brought forth to you & yours.... i'm happy for you... cheers...

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  17. Big Ron FAugust 23, 2013 at 2:39 PM

    Very good effort--having recently been caught up in the Great American Medical MEATGRINDER (because my news was not good), I was very moved by your story.

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    1. Ginny BrannanAugust 24, 2013 at 8:08 AM

      Am sorry your news was not so good. Hang tough. I hope things improve for you.

      Delete
  18. brudbergAugust 23, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    Love the good news... I can hear the sigh through your words..

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  19. AnonymousAugust 24, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    The agony of the wait, indeed was reflected in your words! Congrats to your family.

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    1. Ginny BrannanAugust 24, 2013 at 8:10 AM

      In the end, it was all about family. I had to know...for my son and any future generations. Thank you for your kind words.

      Delete
  20. AnonymousAugust 24, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    Brilliant news for you - and so well shared too ... smiles

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Thank you for reading my poetry and sharing your thoughts.

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