Unremarkable News About Cancer

(And a poem)

Hi, it’s me.

Two years ago this week, we learned that my husband Bryan’s butt produced a cancerous polyp or two. Within minutes of this news, I was thinking about what songs to add to his Spotify memorial playlist when he died.

Yes, I go to dark places quickly.

2023 was The Cancer Year: Colonoscopy in January, cancer diagnosis in February, surgery in April, and chemo through October. After that, they put him on “surveillance” for the next five years—which at the time meant quarterly blood tests, annual CT scans, and annual colonoscopies.

I’m happy to report that one and a half years out, he continues to have no cancer detected, and they’ve pushed his next colonoscopy out three years!

Bryan’s Butt Cancer Gang patch.

Of all the cancers, colon cancer is one of the best (ha!), since it’s easily treatable when detected early. So, if you’re old enough to recognize what songs these lyrics are from, please schedule a routine colonoscopy today:

• 🎤 Street lights! People!

• 🎤 I was dying in your arms tonight…

• 🎤 Whoa-oa! We’re halfway there!

(Get your boobs and prostates checked, too, while you’re at it.)

Keeping it short tonight. Putting all of my creative energy into finishing my book draft (1,000 words per week!).

Until next time,

Jen

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Unremarkable You

by Jen Zug

In a remarkable world where robots sample red dirt on Mars
Where green light floats across the Northern Minnesota sky
Where Black rappers rap their way to the right time with the wrong guy
I want nothing more than for you to be 
Unremarkable.

In a remarkable world where trophies are won for batting and throwing and kicking
Where statues are won for acting and writing and singing
Where prizes are won for spreading peace and good will
I want nothing more than for you to be
Unremarkable. 

Chest: unremarkable
Blood: unremarkable
Tissue: unremarkable

Let all the others be remarkable
The real prize is how unremarkable you are

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Read More About Bryan’s Butt Cancer 🍑

• The diagnosis

• Scenes From Week One

• Surgery to have 10” of Bryan’s colon removed (live updates!)

• Cancer treatment plan

• ALL the Butt Cancer posts in one place!

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