I suppose I owe everyone at least one last post. I've completed all 14 Cycles!!! How amazing is that? It took a total of almost 8 months, from the first cycle which start Dec 6th, to the last which ended on July 27th. I had a month off before the wedding, so really it was about 7 months. What an adventure, that I'd really like to never repeat ;o)
Cycle 14 was probably one of the hardest. For some reason I could taste everything that week. So I could taste the chemo once they started it. This caused me to be quite nauseous most of the week. I got smart and started chewing gum to off set the taste, which did help a bit. My brother, Sean, Courtney and my mom and stepdad joined me for the week. Throughout the whole week my red blood counts were low, so I ended up having a transfusion on Saturday. I was so glad to be done with chemo, but just because you are done, doesn't mean you automatically feel better and your hair comes back right away, hahaha. No, no, no.... the next few weeks are the worst and your hair takes months to come back.
The following week my counts, in true chemo fashion, dropped again. When my white counts drop, I usually get a fever, and last time I ended up in the hospital. So this time I did everything opposite of what I typically had done. When I started getting cold, I'd go outside for a while to warm up, I'd also turn up the temperature in the house. Whatever I could do to not spike a fever, it worked!! On Friday, August 3, I had what I was hoping would be my final blood and platelet transfusions. This made a grand total of 11 blood transfusions and 6 platelet transfusions throughout this whole process. I had to get these transfusions on Friday though so I could make my flight to Providence in order to attend my sis-in-law's baby shower that was scheduled for Sunday. Justin was headed out of town, so mom and I went to spend the weekend with Steph. Little did she know that we had a surprise up our sleeve. She said there were some subtle hints here and there but overalls the surprise shower was a success and I was so glad I finally didn't have to miss another important event.
The next week they scheduled me for the CT scan on my chest. The Dr said that if this came back clear, I could have my port removed. I had my Drs appt and the scan came back CLEAR!!! I'm CANCER FREE!!! AHHHHH!!! I have my port removal surgery scheduled for Aug 21, YES!
So now it's time for recovery and reflection. What a crazy whirlwind of a year it has been. At the end of this month will mark when I last had a flare up in my arm and went to see the Dr. Dr Croog took an xray which change my life forever. I then saw two other Drs who finally told me the problem, Ewings Sarcoma, or bone cancer. A cancer that one typically sees in adolescents and not adults. And that I would have to undergo 14 cycles of chemotherapy that would take me past the wedding. But the most overwhelming part was all of the love and support I received from my family. Everyone wanted to play some role. As I'm learning about all of this stuff that could happen to me while undergoing the chemo, everyone was asking how they could help. In the beginning I really didn't know. But everyday I had someone with me during chemo. Even if they just sat there and watched me sleep, I knew they were there.
My brother, Justin, told me he'd be here at least one day a month during my week long treatment. He lived up to his word and so much more. At least once a month he took me to chemo, we worked, side-by-side. He even had to drive me to the Pentagon, during rush hour, one time to get a new CAC card after I locked myself out. Although he got lost on the way home, it meant so much to me that he was willing to go above and beyond to help me out. His wife, Stephanie, thanks for letting him be away so much, especially since you were 7 months pregnant the last time he came out. To my sister who lives across the country and came out for my birthday just to spend the day in the hospital while I received blood. My Aunt Patti, who came twice all the way from New Jersey. To all of my parents, Dad and Becky who sat with me numerous times at treatment; my mom who would always stop in on her way to work, and Julian who stepped in whenever he could. To Diane, who would drive up and stay just to take me to my treatments and who helped out so much with the wedding and made my life just that much easier. To my sis-in-law, Judy, who has helped me from the beginning with the chemo class and throughout my treatments. To Courtney, who although she says she "didn't do much," did more than your typical friend and offered me advice from her mom. Nothing was ever typical when Courtney came with me. From the jawless singer to the young girl trying to escape to go out and smoke, I always knew I was in for something when Courtney joined me. And to Sean, who couldn't always take me to my treatments but was here for me more than I could have ever imagined. Words can not express how grateful I am to be spending the rest of my life with such a great man. He never complained when I couldn't help, he understood and carried on. He listened to my complaints and pushed me to continue on and reach the finish line. Our relationship has already been tested and I think we passed ;o)
And to everyone who sent cards, flowers, etc. you know how to make a girl smile!!
I'm so ready to get back to my normal life and get back to work (thought I'd never say that ;o) I feel like I need to make up for lost time and that starts with getting out of the house because I'm no longer in isolation!! YES :o)
I will have periodic checkups over the next 2 years and then they will taper off through the next 5 years. Highest rate of reoccurrence is within the first 2 years.
Thank you for your continued support. I couldn't have made it this far without all of the thoughts and prayers, I am so grateful!
Here's to the rest of my life, living CANCER FREE!
