What a wonderful day this has been

Today was chemo #8 and the last one. it's finally over.

While I was in the waiting room at the cancer center, Dr. L came out and went into the coffee/tea room. He saw me sitting there and I waved at him. I followed him in and the first thing he said to me was "You're looking great! Much better than the last time. How's your kidney function?" I told him that I had the blood work done on Saturday and hadn't gotten the results yet. I told him that I had met another patient of his at my daughter's shower at the Sewickley library. He knew exactly who I meant. He told me that she was due in today but wasn't sure of the time. He then came up to me and said "How's your tumor doing" and acted like he was going to look right then and there. I backed up and said "Why don't we wait until we're in the back? I have an appointment at 8:45 a.m." He said.."More like 9:15 a.m." Damned if he didn't show up until 9:45 a.m. I'm not complaining. He has to spend as much time with a patient as they need.

When he came in, he said that my bloodwork showed my kidney function as being perfect. It was actually lower than the first time I was discharged from the hospital when they considered it a great number. He told me I was a resilient, strong woman. I agreed... I was going to beat this. He also said that the chemo treatment was a great success as far as he was concerned. The tumor had shrunk significantly and the skin was no longer hardening. When I asked him if he thought I should just get a lumpectomy, he said he felt that the mastectomy was the best way to go. I agreed with that. His only concern was that it showed I was a little anemic. I've been that way my entire life. I guess I should start taking the iron pills I bought after my last stay in the hospital. He was a very happy man with the results which made me happy.

The chemo treatment itself went off without any problems. I asked the chemo nurse when I would start feeling my old self again. She said about two months after the surgery, I should have more energy and feel like I used to. The chemo effects would have worn off by then and I should be fully recovered from the surgery barring any complications.

Afterwards, BDHA and I went down to the second floor to my surgical oncologist to make an appointment to see him and to get any tests scheduled he would need. When I spoke with his assistant, she told me that surgery had just been scheduled. It's going to be on July 20th and fairly early in the morning. I may have to enter the hospital the night before. She also scheduled me for a mammogram on June 30th. I'm to schedule the breast MRI up at Kittaning as soon as possible. I see Dr. Z, the surgeon, on July 2nd. Hopefully I can get the MRI in before I see him. Things are falling into place.

After we finished at the hospital, we went to lunch at a place called "Big Jim's on the Run". BDHA said it has been featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives". Don't ask me where it was located but the rueben was good. I couldn't finish it and took half home. After that, we went to Whole Foods and picked up some items. We then met MFD for her final dress fitting so that BDHA could see the dress. We pick up the dress on July 2nd.

I have been feeling pretty good today. The steroids really help. It's 11:00 p.m. and I don't think I could fall asleep any time soon. I have to be careful. I checked my blood sugar before dinner and the meter actually said "HI" and no number. I need to look up what that means. It doesn't sound good. The steroids raise it through the roof. I need to make sure I take all my pills and shots each day to control it. I'm not very good at remembering to do that. I want to make sure I'm in the best health possible when I go for the pre-op testing. I don't want anything to delay the surgery.

Another reason it's a good day. The claim check came in from AFLAC. I still have to provide paperwork to get the rest of it but the first check was a goodly amount. If you have AFLAC available to you, check into it. I'm so glad I did and signed up for it. (I wonder if I can get paid for endorsing them?)

I wanted to thank Ruth and Bob Ward for the beautiful note cards with their original photography on the front. I look forward to using them. They also sent me a bouquet of flowers today to celebrate my last chemo. They were orange and yellow roses with yarrow and thyme.

June 10th was BDHA's and my 31st wedding anniversary. He was out of town so we went out to dinner on June 11th. We went out for 6 years before we were married. I was 15, he was 17. If you ask him how long he's been married, he says (and imagine whiny voice) "I've been married my ENTIRE life". Poor guy.

I'm dreading the pains starting this week. I don't think I'll feel as bad as the last time as I'm no longer suffering from the upper respiratory thing. Plus, since this is the last time, I can make it through. I just need to keep telling myself that.

All in all, this has been a GOOD day. Hope it has been one for you too.

Good night ....hope I can sleep.