Today I went into the oncology office almost floating on air because it was a chemo day to celebrate! I have officially finished 10 chemo treatments!
It was a fun atmosphere because I shared my finishing day with one other lady, Judy who was a lovely lady! When we found out we both got up and hugged. We were strangers who are now bound by a sisterhood. I was also in the room with a beautiful lady, Reena whose battle is a constant one starting 4 years ago. She has to keep doing chemo for as long as she can withstand it. She was so very happy for us but I could tell she knew her battle may never end. I took the time to give her an extra hug and compliment her on how strong she was and how I will be praying for her! I also got to meet a patient that Dr. Chung connected with me because she thought we were very similar and Joanne is just beginning her chemo treatments. I was so glad to meet her in person so that I could really connect with her. I was so happy to be able to help explain the things that I wished I had known before I started chemo treatments! The nurses were so comforting and supportive but I knew the anxiety she was feeling from the unknown of how it would affect her and what truly would happen throughout the time. I can tell we will have a strong connection for along time!
As for me, I brought in muffins, bagels, and cream cheese to the whole staff to thank them for all they do! I also brought this food back to the chemo room to share. It was a festive feeling in a way but there was still the business of the treatments so it was not all fun and games. I also brought 5 special gifts for the angels in that office who helped me the whole way to find comfort even in the scariest of moments. The first gift I gave was to Dr. Chung. I had found the most awesome "GRATITUDE" bracelets that allow you to look at each letter bead and remember the 10 things you are thankful for each day. I wear this bracelet each day and I wanted her to know that she is always one of my ten things I am thankful for each day! She and I cried because she told me that she is so thankful for knowing me! I have taught her a great deal throughout the time we have had together. She is the PERFECT doctor for me as I need to feel comfortable and be able to know she cares about what happens to me and I am not a chart number. I followed this gift with giving gifts to 3 nurses and Lauren, my nurse tech who I have bonded with. I gave one to Lisa my chemo nurse who also has a Wauconda connection and even a 3rd grader in Katelynn's class. Then I gave Jennifer, my nurse practitioner who has taught me my chemo classes and supported me throughout the entire journey. She is also a mom of boy twins who are almost 3 and a almost 6 year old daughter, so we are always swapping kid stories which bonds us even more. Maria is my other chemo nurse who was not here today but I will give her one on Thursday when I go in for my labs and doctors appointment. She is so special because she has had to deal with my prot each time it has refused to give blood. She is a miracle worker because she always gets it working again with "DRANO."
I am absolutely exhausted from all the Benadryl they gave me and other lovely drugs, but I do not have pain yet. I am finally awake and want to share these memories with you all. I also could not be here at the finish line of these treatments without you all! The prayers have kept me safe and strong! The smiles and cards have brought me such joy! The meals have fed us and taken such a burden off of Keith and I. All the help you have given us is God sent! THANK YOU!
The next step is to get appointments with my 2 surgeons to find the date of my surgery. I am very scared of the surgery. I am most worried about not waking up from it. I know this is not what will happen with God's help. I just have a hard time not worrying about the next phase of this journey!
Hair is growing back!!! I was even brave enough to take off my chemo hat and show some others how it was growing back in. It really feels like baby hair and the color changes daily so it is any ones guess what it will be in the end!
I am still having trouble with the news that my Grandma is having to deal with this cancer herself. Yesterday, I got a call from my mom. She had to tell me that my grandma was just diagnosed with breast cancer. She is 82 years young and she has had many health issues over the past few years. She is such a wonderful woman who keeps this family together with her love, caring, and faith. I cried! No one else should have to go through this! I am thankful that it looks like it was caught early and may not have spread beyond the area of the lump. I talked with her on the phone tonight and we cried together. I tried to comfort her and let her know that what she is feeling is "normal." I also told her how much I love her and will be praying for her journey with cancer to be easy and she be cured quickly. I know she is going to get through all they will have her do for it! I know that she is in the darkest stage of the disease and I do not want this to affect her in a negative way! I wish I could take it away from her and allow her to turn back time to when she was cancer free. This is not possible and it will help her to remember to put herself in the front of the line of people she helps and loves. She is the person who taught me how to show my love for everyone and she is the one who reminds us all the time how important family togetherness is. I love her so very much!
I ask for prayers for Judy's successful end of her treatments, for good health and positive spirits for Reena, for a successful journey for Joanne, for Grandma Moore as she learns what type of battle will be waged, and for myself as I move on to the next step of this journey. Thank you for all your support, love and prayers! You all have helped make miracles and peace come to me and my family!
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