This is it. The Big Needle awaits me, who, with a pounding heart, drudges down the white corridor.

The warm, friendly techs a d nurse welcome me through the threshold of the lab.

Deep breath, my body curled into a fetal position, grasp the hand that is offered to me.

They offered to knock me out, but I said, “No thanks, I need to woman up and take my ‘punishment, hahaha.”

Even with the numbing medicine, I wanted to face this hurt head-on

At home I face my mother-in-law the same way.

I faced my sulky teenage son in the same fashion

My cancer was going to get mad

My mother-in-law will jab on my home-running skills

And my boy will “Hate” me

And I smile through it