Chemo is DONE!!!!

Ahhhhhhh. That's the big sigh of relief after being done chemo yesterday. I was expecting to feel a range of emotions but what I felt the most was "I just want to be done and get out of here". And it couldn't come soon enough. I gave the nurses hugs when I left. What an amazing group of people there are at Hemotology-Oncology Associates in Skokie. I will particularly miss Carrie, who had so many great stories of her 2 girls and who likes Halloween and crafts just as much as I do. The compassion and professionalism they all showed me was incredible. Such a magnificent group of people.

I go back there for a follow up appointment on 12/15, then follow up scans/blood tests in the middle of January to make sure the cancer is gone, and I have to go every 4-6 weeks to get my ports flushed out. My ports will remain in for at least 6 months in the event of a recurrence and if I need more treatment. I may leave the abdominal port in longer because they may be able to use it for surveillance by periodically checking abdominal fluid, assuming I can still get a draw of fluid out of it as long as scar tissue doesn't interfere.

I'm a little nervous about the waiting period until the middle of January when I'll know for sure one way or another how this thing will play out. But in the meantime, I'm determined to enjoy the holidays and traveling to see our families and friends back East. In 2 and 1/2 weeks we'll be on the road, and I can't wait. So excited. I leave you with this song parody. Enjoy your day!

Chemo's Done (to the tune of Jingle Bells)

Chemo's done, chemo's done, chemo's gone away.
Oh what fun it is to say that chemo's gone away-ay!
Chemo's done, chemo's done, chemo's gone away.
Oh what fun it is to say that chemo's gone away!

Dashing in the car, to chemotherapy,
For the past 5 months, that's where I had to be.
Now my chemo's done, that's all there is to say,
Assuming that the cancer will be gone and stay away.

Oh, chemo's done, chemo's done, chemo's gone away.
Oh what fun it is to say that chemo's gone away-ay!
Chemo's done, chemo's done, chemo's gone away.
Oh what fun it is to say that chemo's gone away!

Taxol and carbo, those were the drugs they used,
Abdomen and veins, was where they were infused.
Now it's o'er and done, and not to come alas,
For if it does I'll open up some more cans of Whoop-A$$.

Oh, chemo's done, chemo's done, chemo's gone away.
Oh what fun it is to say that chemo's gone away-ay!
Chemo's done, chemo's done, chemo's gone away.
Oh what fun it is to say that chemo's gone away!