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Janay Cosner, creator of the guide of poems “Dancing with Breast Most cancers” and the play of the identical title that’s set to be carried out in Westfield in August.
For Janay Cosner of Mayville, her journey contains writing a play that shall be staged in mid-August in Westfield.
“Dancing with Breast Most cancers” was written by Cosner following a guide of poems she wrote below the identical title throughout her time combating breast most cancers. The play is about to be carried out on the Lakeshore Middle for the Arts, 49 S. Portage St., Westfield, on Aug 16, 17 and 18. On Aug 16 and 17 the play begins at 7 p.m. and on Aug 18 it begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and accessible at lakeshorecenterforthearts.com/occasions/dancing-with-breast-cancer.
Cosner was identified with breast most cancers sort two-a 10 years in the past. Throughout her time going via medical doctors appointments, MRIs, surgical procedures, chemotherapy and every thing else she wrote 400 poems about her expertise.
“Writing helped me in the course of the night time or whereas I used to be ready for medical doctors,” Cosner mentioned. “I wrote 400 poems, however there are 110 within the guide.”
One in every of Cosner’s watercolors, “Sisterhood”, based mostly on certainly one of her poems that showcases how ladies with breast most cancers change into a group after being identified.
A couple of years later Cosner took some poetry lessons with Chautauqua Establishment, and with the assistance of some extra well-known poets she put her guide collectively. Since then, Cosner has had many readings and books bought, and in 2019 her buddy satisfied her to show the guide right into a play.
“It was produced in Naples, Fla., and had nice success there,” Cosner mentioned. “We have been going to do it the yr after, however couldn’t due to COVID. I reside there for six months of the yr and up right here the opposite six and once I got here again I joined the Westfield Writing Group they usually have been very excited and wished to do the play this yr.”
Cosner has additionally watercolor painted six completely different work about her journey to go together with the guide and play that shall be on show in the course of the efficiency. This can be a story for any girl who has gone via the identical expertise, she mentioned.
“I wrote this play for all ladies who’ve gone via breast most cancers,” Cosner mentioned. “I wrote it for his or her caretakers and their medical doctors. I’ve a assessment on the again of the guide from an oncologist that claims they by no means knew what ladies with breast most cancers went via earlier than they learn my guide.”
The guide of poems and the play are snapshots of Cosner’s expertise, she mentioned. The poems vary from humorous to unhappy to fairly, and are a “defiant dance” that present Cosner is just not a “sit again survivor”, she mentioned.
One other of Cosner’s watercolors, based mostly on her poem “Ballerina” on web page 5 within the guide.
“I really feel like I’ve unzipped myself,” Cosner mentioned. “The play is about in 4 elements with the primary being identified with breast most cancers, the second chemo, the third radiation and the fourth my new regular.”
Cosner’s total expertise with breast most cancers has taught her many life classes, she mentioned, together with “don’t sweat the small stuff” and “reside every day totally”.
“You might be stronger than you suppose,” Cosner mentioned. “Dance quick and livid via life. And on the finish of the play I come out and I dance.”
The play is directed by Tina Rausa, and contains many “fantastic” actresses from the world, Cosner mentioned. She added that folks ought to be desirous about coming to see the play in August to see what ladies with breast most cancers undergo.
“Individuals ought to be desirous about seeing the journey that ladies with breast most cancers undergo,” Cosner mentioned. “One out of eight ladies get breast most cancers. I need individuals to really feel what I felt whereas having breast most cancers. It’s additionally for anybody battling a serious sickness and what they and their caretakers must undergo.”
Writing each the play and the guide imply so much to Cosner. She mentioned that writing is necessary for individuals to do when they’re going via struggles. Combating breast most cancers was the most important battle of Cosner’s life.
“I’m and was a warrior,” Cosner mentioned. “I lived via it and survived very nicely. And, I nonetheless dance and dance.”
