Series follows cancer survivors’ treatment, recovery
Earlier this year, for six weeks, a dozen women and one man gathered on Wednesdays to participate in a writing workshop, “Your Life is Your Life: Writing for Hope and Healing.”
The exercise was designed to benefit those recovering from cancer, those being treated for the disease and their loved ones. It was sponsored by Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
The students produced heartfelt prose and poetry that reflected the ordeal of living with cancer – the anger, frustrations, fears, hopes and wishes.
And, writing aside, the evening get-togethers provided opportunities for the group to share personal challenges and victories and, best of all, humor.
The program’s facilitator, who kept the mood positive, was Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, herself a cancer survivor and a Lawrence resident.
Some who attended the workshop were gracious to talk with us about their writing and cancer.
We were reminded, over and over, how life changes the moment the doctor delivers the diagnosis no one wants to hear.
Today’s interview with Katy Beard is the first in a series.
The next Lawrence Memorial Hospital writing workshop, “Writing for Your Life: A Cancer Writing Workshop for Hope and Health,” will be Feb. 22 through April 5.