Chemo Haiku

Mouth Sores
Raging inferno
Tiny sores in my mouth
Create searing pain

Diarrhea
Sweating profusely
I made it to the toilet
Foul brown explosion

Bone Marrow Biopsy
Long, sharp instruments
Pushing, pulling, shaking then
The bone marrow POP!

Lumbar Puncture
Motionless on steel
Needle stick in lower spine
Shooting pain down leg

Side Effects
Tingling in fingers
Eyelids stick on cornea
Chemo side effects

Night Sweats
Nasty pool of sweat
Awakens me at midnight
In drenched sheets and gown

VRE
Oozing, seeping puss
Vancomycin Resistent
Enterococcus

Major Irritation
This I.V. unit
Does not quite reach the toilet
Most aggravating

Anemia
Gravity impaired
Body is confined to bed
Low hemoglobin

Sleeplessness
Hydrating I.V.
Keeps pumping, pumping through me
Peeing, not sleeping