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I DID IT!

16 weeks, 8 rounds, 16 shots in the belly, countless days away from the girls, and too many pills to count..but it's FINALLY over! I can't even describe how excited I feel right now!!! Yesterday was a long, pretty rough day. But it's OVER. DONE. I did it!

But of course my body decided to try and resist one last time. After 4 blown veins in my left arm they had to use my right arm for the IV. The nurses said the chemo has just destroyed my veins. Apparently even though using the right arm is a big "no no" because of the risk of lymphedema they say that as a last resort they often have to just risk it. They swabbed me up good with hospital grade antiseptic..and I'm not really worried.

I was so wiped out last night, but today I feel great. Well, the all to familiar joint pain is setting in quickly, but mentally I feel amazing. I think it's silly to say I'm proud of myself...but I am. I am proud of all of us.

I've learned so much during this experience about letting go, admitting I need help, and accepting it from people. I've learned that everyone truly wants to help. Matt never once acted like I was a burden on him, his parents never once complained about having the girls over, and my parents were always willing to drop everything to come be with me. Not to mention my brothers and sisters in law who came through for us in countless ways. And everyone else who made my dark days so much brighter with cards, gifts and kind words.

Even though the "tough" part is over, I still have radiation to face. But I really feel like it will be more of an annoyance time wise than a physical hardship. I honestly can't imagine anything being harder than chemo.

So here I sit with a sore body and a grin from ear to ear. I can't stop thinking about all of the wonderful things we have to look forward too not just this summer but the rest of our long lives. I can't believe how lucky we are that we caught this early on and that I ONLY had to do 8 rounds of chemo. I am so ready to move on and live my life just being ME..not being a cancer patient anymore.

Yay for me!Yay for all of us!

Comments

  1. MamaJune 15, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Hooray, hooray, hooay!!!! Over at last. You are a "survivor". Others have crashed under the burden of chemo - but not you! You and Matt as a team are invincible. Family is always there for you and always will be. It's our way of loving each other. Just think of radiation as sunbathing a part of your body that no one (other than Matt and you) will see. It is a time consuming annoyance and nothing more! Love Mama

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 15, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Congratulations!!!! You did it!!! I'm so happy for you!!!

    --Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Renee RonikaJune 28, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    I'm so proud of you too, Melissa. You are so brave, so beautiful, so stunningly real. You win! Much, much love.

    ReplyDelete

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