One other of Cosner’s watercolors, primarily based on her poem “Ballerina” on web page 5 within the e-book.
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WESTFIELD — Everybody’s breast most cancers journey is totally different.
For Janay Cosner of Mayville, her journey contains writing a play that can be staged in mid-August in Westfield.
“Dancing with Breast Most cancers” was written by Cosner following a e-book of poems she wrote below the identical title throughout her time preventing breast most cancers. The play is ready to be carried out on the Lakeshore Heart 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 by way of docs appointments, MRIs, surgical procedures, chemotherapy and every little thing else she wrote 400 poems about her expertise.
“Writing helped me in the midst of the night time or whereas I used to be ready for docs,” Cosner stated. “I wrote 400 poems, however there are 110 within the e-book.”
One among Cosner’s watercolors, “Sisterhood”, primarily based on one in every of her poems that showcases how girls with breast most cancers grow to be a group after being identified.
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A couple of years later Cosner took some poetry courses with Chautauqua Establishment, and with the assistance of some extra well-known poets she put her e-book collectively. Since then, Cosner has had many readings and books offered, and in 2019 her pal satisfied her to show the e-book right into a play.
“It was produced in Naples, Fla., and had nice success there,” Cosner stated. “We had been going to do it the 12 months after, however couldn’t due to COVID. I stay there for six months of the 12 months and up right here the opposite six and after I got here again I joined the Westfield Writing Group and so they had been very excited and needed to do the play this 12 months.”
Cosner has additionally watercolor painted six totally different work about her journey to associate with the e-book and play that can be on show throughout the efficiency. This can be a story for any lady who has gone by way of the identical expertise, she stated.
“I wrote this play for all girls who’ve gone by way of breast most cancers,” Cosner stated. “I wrote it for his or her caretakers and their docs. I’ve a overview on the again of the e-book from an oncologist that claims they by no means knew what girls with breast most cancers went by way of earlier than they learn my e-book.”
The e-book of poems and the play are snapshots of Cosner’s expertise, she stated. 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 stated.
Janay Cosner, writer of the e-book 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.
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“I really feel like I’ve unzipped myself,” Cosner stated. “The play is ready in 4 components with the primary being identified with breast most cancers, the second chemo, the third radiation and the fourth my new regular.”
Cosner’s general expertise with breast most cancers has taught her many life classes, she stated, together with “don’t sweat the small stuff” and “stay every day absolutely”.
“You’re stronger than you assume,” Cosner stated. “Dance quick and livid by way of 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 realm, Cosner stated. She added that individuals ought to be desirous about coming to see the play in August to see what girls with breast most cancers undergo.
“Folks ought to be desirous about seeing the journey that ladies with breast most cancers undergo,” Cosner stated. “One out of eight girls get breast most cancers. I would like individuals to really feel what I felt whereas having breast most cancers. It’s additionally for anybody battling a significant sickness and what they and their caretakers should undergo.”
Writing each the play and the e-book imply rather a lot to Cosner. She stated that writing is essential for individuals to do when they’re going by way of struggles. Preventing breast most cancers was the largest combat of Cosner’s life.
“I’m and was a warrior,” Cosner stated. “I lived by way of it and survived very nicely. And, I nonetheless dance and dance.”
