Hair…Head Lice…

Melanie’s hair is as stubborn as herself. They are not falling, still hanging there. She has very long gorgeous hair. I talk to the nurses that perhaps her hair will not fall out. They look at me and smile – it will.

One day I am sitting on Mel’s bed… Still I don’t know how sit on her bed. Either I am stepping on the tubes (she then screams at me) or I fall out. Anyhow, I see something crawling on her hair. I cannot believe my eyes – it is head lice. But how comes we did not see it before?

Again, we start laughing and making jokes about head lice dying from the chemo.

WHY?

Why in my brain?
It caused me so much pain.
Why in my head?
Perhaps somewhere else instead.
Why in my brain?
We tried a fluid drain.

I just want to walk like you.
I’ve had enough now, haven’t you too?

Poem from Sophie Pollock who lost her battle with cancer in 2007.

Things you can do on Difficult Days

Talk about the child who has died.
Write a letter to him/her.
Eat his/her favourite food.
Watch a video of him/her.
Wear one of his/her clothes like a scarf.
Light a candle.
Look at photos.
Listen to his/her favourite music.
Visit the grave.
Cry, laugh, scream.
Release a balloon with a message.

Some tips for parents and siblings.

What’s the Point?

What’s the point of eyes,
If you’re not here to see?
What’s the point of ears,
If you cannot hear me?
Every sense on my body,
Useless as a broken toy,
What’s the point of beauty,
If you cannot enjoy?

Cry of a parent - by JK.