The Second Time, My Way with Pye Pajewski
Pye is a returning guest to The Burn, having last joined us in January 2023. She is a writer and artisan who was first diagnosed with breast cancer at 37, and again at 59. Pye’s work has appeared in five issues of Wildfire Journal to date. She lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband, Steve, a photographer.
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The Second Time, My Way
There’s something no one prepares you for about a second diagnosis — the quiet wisdom of it. The choosing.
At 37, Pye Pajewski was first diagnosed with breast cancer.
At 59, more than two decades later, she faced it again — this time differently.
In today’s episode, Pye reads two poems from The Second Time Around issue of Wildfire Journal. In them, she explores what it means to protect your peace, to decide who gets access to your pain, and to find unexpected steadiness in familiar terrain.
“You, my friends, were part of a carefully selected team, chosen for a special assignment, the task of being unaware.”
And later, with the clarity that only lived experience brings:
“The problem with the second time around is that it exists in the first place.”
These poems hold the grief of returning to cancer — and the grounded strength of having been there before. The second time, Pye asked more questions. She knew what fear felt like. She recognized which fears had grown smaller in the rearview mirror. She understood that sometimes the greatest gift is normalcy. Respite. Not having to explain.
Writing Prompt Inspired by Today’s Episode
Set your timer for eight minutes, write without stopping or editing yourself. There is magic in leaning into that time. The prompt is:
The second time around…
I invite you to write about something you've experienced twice. It doesn't have to be related to cancer. Focus on what it felt like the second time.
Was it harder or easier?
More lonely or more empowering?
What did you keep to yourself—and what did you choose to share?
You might begin with: The first time I… And then the second time I…
If you find that you write best with a good prompt, check out our free prompts and learn about our writing workshops.
Happy writing! Until next time, take good care.
Episode Links
Read a transcript of this episode.
Purchase the “The Second Time Around” issue of Wildfire Journal.
More about our episode sponsors: iRise Above Foundation and Young Survival Coalition
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