So, have you been thinking about your breast cancer alphabet? I hope so. Sometimes a good writing prompt can really get the old brain working. It’s time for Part 2 of “A Breast Cancer Alphabet – the Nancy’s Point Version N-Z.” Did you miss part 1? No fear. You can read it here. And don’t forget to read my review of the real deal, A Breast Cancer Alphabet, the new book by Madhulika Sikka. She actually got her alphabet published in a book. Why didn’t I think of this breast cancer alphabet idea?

Oh well.

If you’ve been thinking about joining me in this breast cancer alphabet exercise, I’d suggest not over-thinking your choices. I decided to write down the words that popped into my head first; sort of like the “Rorschach” inkblot test we’ve all heard of. Okay, I said sort of. So go ahead; try it! And our choices probably won’t be making it into a book, so any letter/word choice combo goes, if you get my drift…

So, here’s my part 2…

 A Breast Cancer Alphabet – the Nancy’s Point Version N-Z

‘N’ – is for nipples. I now have an ongoing case of nipple envy. I will be writing a post about this soon. When I get up the nerve to talk nipples again. Oh, and come to think of it, here’s an old post on nipple tattooing some of you might not have read yet.

‘O’ – is for organize. When you’re diagnosed with cancer, or any serious illness, the appointments, medications, to do lists, medical info to keep track of, lists of doctor names and a whole host of other stuff starts morphing into what sometimes seems like unmanageable stacks/piles and things to do. So doing some organizing is essential. Find or figure out some kind of system that works for you. It will help keep you sane. If you can get somebody else to organize stuff for you, that’s even better.

‘P’ – is for “pink propaganda.” Probably no need to say more… for this post anyway.

‘Q’ – is for quit. Sometimes a person diagnosed with cancer just wants to quit pretending to be okay, quit going to doctor appointments, quit getting poked and prodded, quit radiation, quit chemo, quit cleaning the house (or anything else), quit getting out of bed, quit exercising, quit trying to appear strong. Just quit. Too bad you can’t just quit cancer. Hmm…

‘R’ – is for realist. I have always been one. Probably always will be.

‘S’ – is for sex and sleep. I can’t decide, so I’m going with both words because both of these things are greatly impacted by breast cancer. Besides, who said I can’t pick two words?

‘T’– is for truths. I will always attempt to share my truths and respect the truths of others. Otherwise what’s the point of sharing any of this stuff?

‘U’ – is for uncertainty. Post-diagnosis, uncertainty becomes your middle name. Well, not quite, but almost. It’s certainly part of your life description from there on out.

‘V’ – is for vacation. Sometimes you need a vacation from yourself. Or from cancer. Or from both. Wouldn’t that be nice?

‘W’ – is for those weary worn out war metaphors. Do we need some updated cancer language? Yes!

‘X’ – is for all those cancer “Xpectations” out there of the spoken and unspoken kind. I have a feeling you know what I’m talking about. One of the most cumbersome ones just might be, after your cancer diagnosis you’re a better person now, right?

‘Y’ –  is for yearnings for yesterday. I don’t want to rewind my life or anything, but there are certain things I still yearn for and yes, miss. A lot. And this is okay. I don’t need to feel guilty about this and neither do you!

‘Z’ – is for …. this letter is always a challenge, but I finally decided ‘Z’ is for zero tolerance. There are some things and some people (what and who will remain un-named here) that I now have zero tolerance for.

So that’s my breast cancer alphabet. There is nothing fun about breast cancer, but making up my own breast cancer alphabet sure was fun.

I’d love to read some of your letter/word combos!

Leave a comment below (no, you don’t have to share a combo if you don’t feel like it) by 5 pm on Sunday, March 23 and you’ll be entered in my final giveaway and a chance to win a FREE copy of the real deal, A Breast Cancer Alphabet, by Madhulika Sikka. The winner will be announced on this post shortly there after.

Why not enter today?   

WINNER! – The winner of this giveaway is Kira!

Congratulations, Kira!

And thank you to all you participated!