Poems for Pit Chat

[JohnwithanhD]

I am going to embarrass someone slightly here.

In our midsts, we have a quite talented poet.

She and I have been working on selecting a number of her poems which we will soon be making available in PDF format for all those who would be willing to contribute a small sum to Pituitary Chat (top left hand corner, the big Donate button). This will help cover some of Pit Chat's costs such as annual hosting fees. Full details when we launch!

Most of these poems have been published in two self-published anthologies before (which are currently out of print -- sold out!), but there are others that have as yet been unpublished. Some directly involve topics relevant to pituitary patients (or indeed anyone going through a bad patch on life), but they cover many topics - some funny, some emotional, many very personal.

A sample of these poems follows. This one is very relevant to many people who use this forum.

Invaded

For twenty-two years I exist in a body
Suffering extremes of hormonal hell.
As the tumour pressing on my skull grows larger
So do I.
My arms and legs remain slim
And I resemble a lemon on sticks,
My face turns round and red.
My skin is taut and stretched.
I exude a smell of male testosterone
And I grow body hair to match
I develop a five o'clock shadow.
My reflection is not I.
I cannot have this syndrome, it is too rare.
As the years drag by
I am so depressed;
Perhaps it is all in my imagination.
My body aches
Through carrying the weight of the world
Then, a diagnosis, a hope, a cure;
Twenty two years of misery,
Two years of tests,
Two hours of surgery.
Now I look in a mirror and see what I want to see--
Me.

Copyright Beverly Maiden, All Rights Reserved


I hope you will join me in congratulating Bev on her abilities and consider buying a copy of the PDF book we will be putting together -- available soon!

John

[JohnwithanhD]

Now available!

We have a selection of Bev's best poems, available exclusively to Pituitary Chat members and friends. Some of these are very personal, some very appropriate to those with pituitary disease, but many are not related to this at all. Thy relate to good times and bad. This volume consists of 12 poems, selected by myself and Bev. We have more poems if you would like more!

We suggest a donation of £3.00 -- and we will send you a PDF of the poetry book in return. (We of course would be very happy to receive more but do not want to pressure people into giving more than they can afford.)

To get a copy of this book: all you need do is click the Donate button and you can pay by PayPal, using any recognised credit or debit card. Donate £3 or more and we will send you a copy of the book. When you click Donate, you will be taken to a PayPal page for your donation. In the "Purpose" field, please tell us you would like the poetry book and what email address to send it to. (Any problems with this -- contact info@pituitarychat.com or come to the site and let us know)

This small donation will help keep this forum meet the cost of its annual hosting fees, and its very modest publicity budget. At the moment this is funded out of the pockets of a few individual members, not all of whom are overly endowed with excess cash, so we are looking to spread the load a bit.

All "staff" are volunteers, and claim no expenses, so you do not need to worry about cash disappearing MP-style on duck houses or second homes We are happy to tell anyone what money has been spent on so far, you get total transparency with us.

John

[Bev]

Hi John
Have been asked if payment can be made by cheque? If this is a problem I can have the cheque made payable to me & I will pay by PayPal as long as I get the email address to send the book to. Will that work?

[JohnwithanhD]

That would work -- but PayPal accepts debit cards (including Solo cards) which I think most people with a current account should have.

John

[Bev]

Hi John
Brenda is going to pay by the alternatives you suggested. Thanks.

[JohnwithanhD]

Still plenty more books available for those who wish to contribute!

Just £3 donation will get you 12 of Bev's best poems!

Just click on Donate and follow the prompts -- rememeber to add your email address to get the PDF

John