Willing

I’m somewhat of a slacker at the Hotel Melanoma, having never (yet) ‘progressed’ beyond a Stage IIIc diagnosis and a single clinical trial. Consequently, I’m inspired on a daily basis by the spunk and endurance of my Stage IV mole mates who are fighting for their lives and undergoing a series of grueling treatments with vicious side effects. And never, ever giving up or “losing” their battles.

Hoping that I’ll have half the grit of these tough and spirited warriors if and when my time comes, and in tribute to all of them, here’s the Hotel Melanoma rendition of Linda Ronstadt’s “Willin”…



I been warped by sun rays, driven down C road
My prognosis murky, don't you know
But I'm still willin'

Fightin’ C road’s latest fright
I see my cancer’s malice in every scan light
Malice, Black C’s malice

And I've been from ‘feron to proton ther’py
To MDA for surgeon’s saw
Taken every kind of med that's ever been made
Checkin’ the black moles so I wouldn't get flayed
And if you give me sweet trials and time
And you show me drugs fine
And I'll be willin' to keep movin'

And I've been kicked by this thing, robbed by C fleet
Had my head stove in but I'm still on my feet
And I'm still willin'

And I’ve struggled with pokes from folks from medic show
Raked by someone every time I go to medic show
Ah but I'm still...

And I've been from ‘feron to proton ther’py
To MDA for surgeon’s saw
Taken every kind of med that's ever been made
Checkin’ the black moles so I wouldn't get flayed
And if you give me sweet trials and time
And you show me drugs fine
And I’ll be willin’ to keep movin’