Ava Henrickson: Hi friends! If you haven’t had an opportunity and want to donate to Angie Stevens, who is currently getting chemo for breast cancer, here’s the link to her GoFundMe. Trust me when I say she’s had some extra bullshit thrown her way and that she is appreciative beyond words. Love you to the moon, sis! Fuck cancer, man. While we’re at it, fuck the American healthcare system, too.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/b8ucf-medical-expenses?member=14213067&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook
Suzanne Lainson: Angie Stevens is a very close friend though we haven’t seen each other in awhile, first because I quit driving at night (no more Denver shows), and then because of Covid. She’s not only a very talented singer/songwriter, she is a gifted writer without the musical notes. I have read a number of pieces she has written and whenever she is up for it, there is a wide audience for her work. This is one powerful example.
Angie says:
I’m white as snow
with a grey tinge as
The toxic concoction invades my bloodstream
Im curled up like a cat
against the window
light streaming in to
keep me connected to
the outside world
so little do I see anymore
from my cancer cocoon
One month before diagnosis
the best job of my career
One whole month before
the world flipped me over
on my head
I have breast cancer
no benefits, no PTO
contractor pushing to prove my worth
but the 5 appointments a week
the emotional rollercoaster
the incessant calls from doctors
I had to walk away
like sand in my fingers
It wouldn’t be all I’d lose
Next was my chest and then
my creativity and
then all my hair.
Like a balmy bald baby
back to ground zero
recoiling into child’s pose
Survive. Just survive
Playlists have become my cathedral
To in vigor, rejoice, encourage and mourn
I have all seasons captured
The uppers, downers, the inwards
and even the dancers.
They keep me company when sleep
doesn’t come.
When everyone is dreaming peacefully
I’m next to my fire, propane percolating
Many dogs at my feet.
A glass of wine in my hand, maybe two.
And goosebumps come
Covering my head, tingling the fuzzy
li’l hair imposters
only place holders
being ejected from the cranial solar system
The future is so close I can taste it
The world waiting patiently on me
arms open and smiles wide
ready to pull me back in
I am one of the lucky ones
I embrace that and I fight for the rest of my cancer family
Some who have left this earth
Their pictures hang on my walls
Reminding me
to honor them
to put my face toward the sun
and find my way once again
#breastcancer
#chemotherapy
https://www.facebook.com/AngieStevens
Photo: Angie Stevens cancer (Angie and her sisters Amy & Ava) (Photo by Dane Olsen)
Angie Stevens Takes a TON of Lemons and Makes a LOT of Lemonade!
