Life BEYOND Breast Cancer
In Honor of Liya and Alexander’s Story
About Liya and Alexander’s Life BEYOND Breast Cancer
“More than eight years since that god damn disease infiltrated our lives. Eight years of unbelievable courage, insurmountable strength, physical and mental stamina being tested every day. Eight years she persisted and stood up to the monstrosity of cancer. Eight years of awe-inducing perseverance.
Eight years of seeing her take care of herself only so she can continue taking care of us. Eight years are but a second when they’re behind us. Now the tough decisions are mine to make. But she taught me well. She taught us all well. If you pray, pray for her comfort.
If you don’t pray, send peaceful thoughts. She deserves a miracle because she has been mine for the last 22 years.” – Alexander, Liya’s Husband
“Leya was so in tune with herself and those around her that she was able to describe her last days six years before they would take place. She also had a pretty clear understanding of what I was feeling along her side. I miss my amazing partner.” – Alexander
The Tutu Project is honored to have Alex’s permission to share Liya’s thoughts, poetry and wisdom with our readers.
Poetry: Sinner and Saint
Someone since has sinned - Who’s a saint, Who’s a sane man. Shouting profanities at his misfortune Jesting, crossing himself in a bathhouse. He’s Jewish. Someone crosses a street Seriously contemplating sinning Coming home, shirt thrown sloppy to the side Hitting a...
Poetry: The Veil
I am a veil, A sheath of newness and despair, A film of shadow and of light, A cover not quite there. I fasten readily to hair, To hats of wool and crowns of gold. I dress the plain, adorn the rich, Praise youth and hide the old. And whether it is warm or cold I'm...
Poetry: How Long Will I Run?
‘Til tide’s edge touches sand Or beyond it, ankle-deep? Will it roll in Or ebb out? Will it slap me Or dupe me, send me chasing it? And the current – Will I feebly float or will my feet be knocked from under me? Under me. Down…under water, Out to sea… How long will I...
Poetry: Pocketful of Glass
Stuck my hand into A pocketful of glass Smoothed by the sand Dulled by the sea. They fail to understand How I withdraw my hand Unharmed. They stare in alarm, Concerned, as if I'd been maimed, Or burned. I wonder the same, Unimpressed, and recall that Sharp shards of...
What They Fear
This article was originally published on Medium. Re-published with permission from the author. They swarmed towards me and then past me, a pink vortex of t-shirts, feather boas and every tacky accessory imaginable. And characters: a pink-clad Minnie Mouse posing for...
Love, Loss, and What I Won’t Wear to My Funeral
Originally posted on Liya Khenkin blog, posted with permission from Liya's husband, Alexander. The first funeral I attended after being diagnosed last year with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, was that of my husband’s grandmother. I was 30 years old. She died at 87...
A Dedication: Operating Room Kisses
Dedicated to Alexander Khenkin and his wife Liya, who has been battling stage 4 breast cancer and is undergoing a procedure tomorrow. Our thoughts are with you as you get through another tough day. Alexander wrote us: I love what you are doing and your images are...