Woo Hoo! Let's Celebrate!!!

So, how can I say this and really get my true feelings across? I am soooooooo excited and thankful to be where I am RIGHT NOW in time....I just can't put it into words. I almost broke down in tears this morning while on my walk, just so thankful to know I am officially DONE with chemo. To know that my body is now healing and I am feeling better, to have that yucky phase behind me. I'm overwhelmed with the enormity of what it means to be done with my chemotherapy. What a year! Dave and I had a toast last night (with a Mimosa), and it was just so symbolic. To put this past year behind us and get on with the future. Live is so worth celebrating and we need to enjoy and appreciate each and every single minute we have. We need to laugh, breathe, enjoy our family, friends and loved ones and grasp hold of each special situation we are in. Again, I just don't feel like I'm able to put my thoughts into words, I'm inadequate here, but I hope I'm conveying what is in my heart.

I can't tell you how happy I was to leave the oncologist's office this past Tuesday. The nurses and staff were wonderful, I even baked them a treat to say, "Thanks for taking care of me and all the patients". They appreciated that and I appreciated being able to show my gratitude. My "Hello Dollies" are a great way to say "Thanks!" They gave me a "Purple Heart Award" certificate when I finished up my chemo and all the other patients clapped and said "Congratulations". I appreciated this, but at the same time felt a tug at my heart knowing that some of these patients will continue on with their treatments or may not have the same prognosis that I have. Going through cancer definitely opens your eyes to the trials other people face and makes you appreciate the hurdles you are able to overcome.

So, my mom and I got into her car after leaving the doctor's office. I just totally broke down in tears. The enormity of what I had just finished hit me and I was so relieved that it was over. I never, ever want to go through something like that again. So many have told me how well I am doing through all this, but sometimes I don't know how I've made it. Going through Dave's cancer was hard enough and then to get diagnosed myself on top of that was just almost too much for me to handle. I know for certain that it has been the prayers of so many and only by God's grace that I have been able to endure this.

My boys only made it 1/2 way through their week at spend-the-night camp. It was a lot to expect them to be there the whole time, but we're proud of them for sticking it out. Our oldest son, Bryce, has Asperger's (a mild form of Autism) and I think that presented a challenge to the staff, especially knowing I was going through my last chemo round. The boys had fun, but throw the ramifications of everything we're going through, they made it as long as they could. Dave was able to pick them up Wednesday and to be honest, we were glad to have them home. This gives us time to get them back on a schedule and ready to start back to school on a good note (this coming Monday). I somehow mustered the strength to take them to school to meet their teachers on Thursday and I know they enjoyed seeing everyone. Part of me is so glad the summer break is over (because my chemo is over!), but at the same time I'm sad it went by so fast!

Well, we're on to remodeling our kitchen now which is a great diversion for me! I'm excited to update and get new "stuff" and it's sad to say, but if it weren't for Aflac paying us during our cancer treatment, I don't know if we could have done this. I certainly look at it as another silver lining of our journey and am looking forward to the finished project!!!