THE PART THAT’S MOST REAL

Hers was not the worst possible case of breast cancer, no. Others in the support group had it much worse. Some not so bad. Hers was the best case by far. They all knew the starlight ceiling of the radiation room. They all got to ring the bell—victory unrequested, yes. Later came the need for real help, the kind only survivors can provide, assurance that your surprise, fear, anger, lust for olden days, exhaustion, pain, frustration, depression, acceptance, and pretense that nothing’s wrong—are all normal reactions. Okay. Now let’s talk about lost time and the disappearance of gumption.