12 of 12 Taxol Treatments: CHEMO DONE!!

After 5 months of chemo, I’m finally done!! Today was my last Taxol.  I now have a 6 week break before my first surgery.  I’m in such good spirits have so much support and love from everyone.

Ok so how did it go?? Well Aubrey and I dressed up – I got out my Coming out Party Ted Baker Dress, and Lauren’s Chemo Coming Out Hat!  We rolled in to chemo turning heads! We also brought cookies for the doctors and the infusion center!

• 8:10 – Left the house
• • We left a few minutes late because in all the chaos today I forgot to put on my numbing creme, so I had to run back in to put it on – Luckily it worked.
• 8:30 – Got to chemo
• • In the elevator, a lovely lady asked why I was so dressed up and I explained it was my last chemo.  She congratulated me, mentioning she finished in May.  We got to talking – she enjoyed the dressing up.  I also asked about her plastic surgeon as my drama finding a plastic surgeon continues (I’ll blog separately).  So she gave me her surgeon’s name and information. She also uses my Medical and Surgical Oncologists, so this Plastic Surgeon has worked with our Surgical Oncologist. And as we were checking in, they tried to look her up and oddly she wasn’t scheduled for an appointment until October!  So she said it was fate, and the reason she showed up today was to meet me! I completely agreed – if I can get this surgeon nailed down it will be such a weight off – I called and got an appointment Wednesday with him and he’s in network!
• 9:00 – Back to port tapping
• • Weight – not great – I put on the “Aubrey 3” as I call it and am back up
• • Cookies – we didn’t get to bake cookies, so I just bought Publix cookies. I was going to plate them but Aubrey scolded me and mentioned in the ER they wouldn’t eat homemade baked goods because you never know if people have dogs or they come from clean kitchens but if they are in a Publix container or Krispy Kreme box they are fair game (which I guess makes sense for medical facility). So Aubrey confirmed with the nurses that they are watchful of that too.
• • Port Tapping – So I wore my dress – my favorite dress and brought my More than Pink Survivor shirt to cover up the dress as to not get anything on it (blood, chemo drugs you know).  Ironically today I got a “nurse in training.”  Aubrey and I had to fight back nervous laughter as we watched her trying to tap my port, hovering tubes of blood over my white and light pink dress!  Luckily she nailed it (after accidentally touching the needle without a glove and having to start over).
• 9:30 – Met with the Dr.
• • He was happy to see the hat back!
• • I asked if there were any chances that would extend my chemo – He did mention there’s a Japaneses study  that indicates positive outcomes if you do a Post-Op Oral Chemo.  He said it hasn’t been replicated in the US and is controversial but they will be discussing my specific case after they get back the surgery results.
• • We scheduled a follow up for 2 weeks after surgery
• • We shook hands and thanked him… down to Chemo!
• 10:00 – Checked in turning heads – the hat is so loved and the dress got come compliments as well
• • Nurses were great as always and we left some cookies
• • Got my ice on – all in heels and a dress.

• 10:45 – Bell Ringing Time
• • We got cheering from the room as we made our way to the bell – I think people enjoyed the celebration and the hat
• • Then it was time to ring the bell and enjoy the accolades! What an honor to ring the bell in the company of all such amazing people fighting the same fight.  They were so supportive – How can I not beat this?

• 11:00 – Acupuncture with David
• • Great round with David – we talked about follow up treatment for radiation if needed, and then supplements after surgery for the long haul. He has a special way to alternate supplements to keep it manageable.  He also reminded me to stop supplements 10 days before surgery.
• • I did pass out during treatment but luckily Aubrey got to chat with David and even some advice.
• 11:30 – Done!!

A special thanks to Aubrey for flying from Copenhagen to be with me today.  Having her with me to share my bell ringing was so important to me.  Thank you to Shawn for taking care of me these past 5 months and for what’s to come – I also love the flowers from him today.  Also thank you to Cynthia for borrowing our kitchen today and leaving us an amazing celebration dinner tonight, flowers and a lovely candle.  I’m also excited to celebrate with Danielle and Katrina tonight as well! Also a special thanks to my family who’s been there as well (especially mom).  Don’t worry I have a few more blogs to get you during my 6 weeks of down time 🙂

Celebrating with some Dom and my girls!