My final chemo was this past Thursday.
#8.
16 weeks.
I am so happy to know it’s the last one, but my goodness, it was hard again to just walk through that door to the hospital. It's been harder and harder to recover between chemo sessions. The awful bone/joint pain subsides to a manageable constant dull state about a week after my infusion. It’s hard knowing that I am walking in, signing up for what is to come. The oncologist on Thursday said that he was a little surprised that I made it to the final round and that he had given me 50/50 odds, given the pain that I would be able to make it through without switching to a less effective chemo medication. He said that most people that experience this rare side effect don't make it through. That made me feel pretty damn proud of myself for powering through the pain and making it through all 8. We managed the pain much better this round, which resulted in a lot more sleeping, which was 100% worth it.
This week, I will have an MRI on Thursday and another diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound this Friday. These tests will be used when we meet with the surgical oncologist (Monday) to determine the extent of the surgery. We will also hopefully will schedule the surgery at that time (likely mid-March). After a couple of weeks to recover from surgery, it's looking like seven weeks of radiation (5 days a week at the hospital).
For now, I am thrilled to be done with chemo and have a break before surgery.
Thank you again for all of the love, kind thoughts, meals, donations, special treats and cards. Love you all very much.
xo-
H
You are amazing and your cheering squad is inspired by you every day!! Our prayers continue dear Heather. Enjoy your break. 🥰🥰🥰👏👏👏👏💖💖💖