YE, Myanmar

When life is shine and lit, a shadow falls,

Bad news of my beloved wife stills my calls.

Anxiety and fear press hard on my heart, 

Soft signs we thought trivial tear life apart.

The hardest task was not the disease, 

But calming myself so her mind could find ease, 

Fearing each moment I might fail to do 

The very best that love demands me to.

Yet light arrived through healing hands-

A brother surgeon, friends who understand:

A gynaecologist, oncologist wise,

Guiding our steps where hope still lies.

Fourteen long months of relentless care,

Surgery, chemo, radiation, prayer.

Our family learned what books can't impart-

Patience in action, strength of the heart.

Remission came, and life felt new,

Brief happiness, precious and true.

Then fate returned with a cruel decree-

Cancer again, spreading silently.

This time prepared, less panic inside,

Yet trials grew harder, nowhere to hide.

Good news rose as tumour markers fell,

Bad news struck—DVT, infection's spell.

United we stood-doctors, friends, and kin,

And she, with fierce will, fought once again.

The storm passed slowly, breath returned,

Another hard victory painfully earned.

The journey continues, the fight not done,

Yet courage outshines the darkened sun.

We wait with faith, through night and through grit,

For life once more to be shine and lit.

This story was published with the consent of Shwe Young Hnin Si Cancer Foundation, Myanmar.