Friday, December 9, 2011 – Last Day of Treatment!
Hello all,
Today is the day I have waited 8 months to reach. This morning was my final day of treatment. I received radiation #33 of 33 and was given a diploma of completion. Wow! I still cannot believe I am done. Back in April when I was first diagnosed this day seemed so far away. With the help of you, my family and friends, I was able to make it through to the other side. As my Aunt Shirley said today, “Praise God!”
Today has been a day of celebrations. Before Allen left for work today bright and early he gave me a hug and told me how proud he was of me and how excited he was for my treatments to end. I think he was more excited than me!
Before I got out of bed this morning I checked my email as I always do. My Dad had sent me an email message first thing this morning just like he has done almost daily since April. His email brought me to tears it was so beautiful. I reread it later in the day and it affected me just the same.
This morning Jacob said to me that today was the most exciting day. I asked him why and he said “because it snowed last night” and Ansley agreed. It had nothing to do with me – it had all to do with snow. Our first snowfall of the season happened while we slept last night. What a treat! I started my journey when flowers were beginning to bud and I am ending it with snow. What a year it has been.
My Mom left this morning to head back home to Virginia to see Dad for a few days and returns next week to stay until Christmas and then back to Virginia she stays. She left me a huge bouquet of purple balloons. The balloons said “You Fought Like a Girl” that she made using stickers. Several weeks ago at the Cancer Center she and I saw two elementary age girls who were holding purple “Fight Like a Girl” balloons that they had made for a loved one that was upstairs getting chemotherapy. I had told those girls that I loved their purple balloons.
Several of my friends joined me today to my last radiation treatment and aftewards we went to breakfast to celebrate. They are the best!! While there everyone made me personalized homemade ornaments where they wrote messages and drew pictures of things like purple flowers, rainbows, and the pink breast cancer sign on the glass balls. What a great idea!! This afternoon I went out and bought our family a small purple Christmas tree so I can display my beautiful new ornaments for years to come. I added ten new pictures to my photo gallery so check it out.
I took down my purple/pink flower windmill when I came home from breakfast. I will save it. That flower didn’t even have a scratch. It had been through rain, thunderstorms, heavy winds, and snow and it looked completely brand new, unblemished. I will miss looking out my window each day at its petals spinning even on a windless, calm day.
I spent my afternoon talking on the phone to a dear friend who called when I needed someone to talk to the most. I had come home to a empty, quiet home and was so happy to receive her call. Thank you special friend! I spent the rest of the day doing normal things like shopping, going to the dry cleaners, going to the bank, etc. I am so thankful to be able to feel normal again as there were many days when I felt anything but normal. I want to thank everyone else, including my sister Wendy and my other friends, who called, texted, or dropped off cards or gifts today. I loved hearing from all of you!
Today I will turn the page and start anew with a new appreciation and love of life. I heard a song today on the radio that was very fitting for today:
Bob Marley – I Can See Clearly Now
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
Oh yes I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
Look all around, there’s nothin’ but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin’ but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day
For those interested, I plan to keep my Care Pages up and running for a few more months. I will send an update in mid January when I have my follow up doctor appt on Jan 12. I will then send another update a month later after I have had my first post treatment mammogram/ultrasound (Feb/March timeframe.)
God bless all of you for being my friend. Merry Christmas!
Love,
Kim