I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IT!
I SURVIVED MY LAST CHEMO!!!
I SURVIVED MY LAST CHEMO!!!
Then I did the side kick into the air in my mind as I walked out of the office from my oncologist!
Perhaps, I should back it up a bit so I can describe to you what I experienced this last day.
Of course it was the regular blood draw to begin with so see what my blood levels were before we began.
I asked for my results of my genetic test to find out if I have a tendency to clot or not because this would explain some of the reason why I have had the vein issues regarding the port placement, etc.
Turns out I have one of the genes afterall. So they will have to be a little extra careful with me when I have my surgery in August for my bi-lateral mastectomy.
For some strange reason I'm not concerned. I now know and we can proceed with caution and all the doctors will be made aware of this fact. And, being the person that I am, i will remind them as well probably a few times just to be on the safe side.
So the treatments began with no fuss. My nurse was able to administer my chemo without any issues in my veins. Yeah! Off I went. There was another woman having chemo for her type of cancer and we struck up a nice conversation. She is a retired gynocologist originally from Manhattan (New York). Very nice lady and one full of knowledge about women's issues. So she enlightened me on a few questions I had. But it was also great to share about what we have experienced. But at the same time we were able to switch the conversation around to our daily lives and relationships and just normal stuff. That was so very nice to converse about: daily life and NOT cancer. We laughed and giggled and before we both knew it, our treatments were over. No fuss -- no big Tah-Dah! Great ending. Great, Great ending to this ordeal.
So after being taken off my drip, I had my regular exam by my oncologist. I was such a happy camper about this exam. I whipped off my top and wanted him to begin to try to find my tumor in my armpit and breast.
He went really deep up into my armpit and thoroughly examined my armpit. HE COULD NOT FIND IT! COULD NOT FIND IT! COULD NOT FIND IT!!!!! So take that, Mr. Cancer! He had me lay down to examine my breast and could see how much my breast has reduced in size. It's almost the same size as my right breast. My left breast has never been the same size as my right. But it's considerably smaller! Yeah!
It's also very soft and the tumors have reduced. They are hidden within the dense tissue of my mass to it's difficult to get an accurate reading on that area. I am rescheduled for another Breast MRI in the next couple weeks. This will give the exact size of tumors and tell them how contained the cancer is.
My doc was very happy to say the least. And he is one to be very, very conservative because that's his position to be objective. He is so very thorough and I appreciate all his expertise. Always educating me and keeping me apprised and answers ALL my questions completely and with great care. He's been pretty concerned about my case and I know he doesn't take anything for granted. That gives me such relief.
We went out for a celebratory lunch afterwards. I went to Mexican which is the 2nd time I've had during all of chemo. It was dee-lish. I kept it bland. And no issues with digestion whatsoever! EEEHHHAAA!
Pleasures in life..........Food! Love food.
WE got home by 4pm. My energy was still good. So amazing. Evening came and still doing well. Not that sloggy feeling. Went to bed without incident and slept just fine.
So the next day, Friday, July 22:
I woke up just fine. No chemo brain sloggy mess. No mashed potato brain. My energy was pretty darned good. I was able get my breakfast done -- no assistance. Fed the dogs! Up and around which never happens post chemo. What is going on? They told me at the doc's office that who know's I may cruise through this last one with no problem cuz of my attitude and the fact I know it's my last one. I think they may be right. This is simply a miracle in the making. But I have been cautiously optimistic as well. Being mindful.
But since I had this clarity going on, I told my hubby I wanted to go to a few stores to do some errands I was putting off. I would take one store at a time to keep it in check. First store went just fine. I was able to ultimately go to the 3 stores I needed to complete my transactions without incidents. Wow! This is blowing my mind! But I knew not to push it any further. So I was taken home and put on the couch. I stayed there on and off for about 3 hours. Had my lunch and snack. I was NOT exhausted. No post-store mashed potatoe brain! No major unexpected anything. Kept on drinking my fluids, etc... All is good.
I took one little short nap about 15 minutes is all. This is not the typical post chemo. THANK YOU GOD!
I had a small pasta dinner with our home growned tomatoes -- dee-lish. Just what the doc ordered.
I had a great catch up session on Skype with my girly friends which was a major league highlight of this whole chemo treatment. What a way to end the chemo treatment -- celebrating with my girlfriends toasting on the other end. I toasted with my big glass of water and they had their cocktails! Loved it. We laughed, giggled and shared. I can't imagine going throuh this ordeal without the love of my girls behind me. They are amazingingly strong for me and a constant reminder how important it is to have those relationships especially in times like these. They really boosted me big time last night. What great women. I love you, my angels!
So all in all, what a great day and what a nice reprieve. I hope this healing continues on this path. If it does, I can justify going to visit my mother up in Humboldt for a short visit. It's so important for me to see my mom before my surgery. It's a burn inside of me I must achieve. But as long as I'm feeling strong I will go. If there is a hint that it's not going accordingly, then I won't take the chance so close to my surgery. But it's looking pretty well at this point. Keep my fingers and toes crossed that my road continues to be well-traveled.
Needless to say, My Cup is especially Full! Blessings, blessings, blessings! AMAZING!!
CIAO! CIAO!
