CHEMO IS OVER!!!

I can't believe it but it's true...chemo is over and we pray it is over FOREVER!! Wednesday was the last treatment and today I got my last neulasta shot (that boosts my counts). At the end of chemo yesterday the nurses blew bubbles (they called them champagne bubbles) and played "Celebrate Good Times" and all signed a certificate (including the Dr) which was nice--I was hoping to be incognito and just escape but they wouldn't let me! So now its onto the next stage...surgery.

We had our appt with the breast surgeon on Tuesday and my dear friend from work, Jaylynne, came with us. The surgeon made me justify to her why I wanted both sides removed and she kind of played devils advocate a bit and when I was firm then said that she was in agreement but that the decision needs to be mine, not hers or anyone else's. So surgery is scheduled for June 24th and I am hoping to be home the same day. The surgeon was fine with that and Jaylynne will be here to help Jr as needed. I will have 4 drains that stay in up to 20 days and the BIG thing is that for 3 weeks I have to walk around with my hands in my pockets! No lifting, pushing, pulling, housework, etc. YIKES! I can't be sedentary for 3 weeks but will be forced to. The more you do, the more the drains fill up and the longer they will be in. UGH! JR is hoping to be off with me for at least 2 of the weeks so that will be helpful. I may need help from all of my dear support system out there with meals and getting the kids out of the house and of course visits to remind me there is life beyond the 4 walls of my house!

The full body scan is supposed to be scheduled for June 15th so we are awaiting insurance approval. The Doctors fully anticipate NOTHING else to show up...no spots on the lungs or liver so please pray to that end. It will be nice to see how much the tumor has responded to chemo as we can't feel anything at all...everything looks normal which is just such an answer to prayer and God's graciousness. I am not nervous about the scan, just thankful that it will put our minds at ease and affirm to us God's goodness in our lives.

A big thank you to all of you who continue to email and send notes of support via facebook. There have been two friends who have provided great blessings with every chemo. My dear friend Brenda shows up at my door every chemo with a little gift that just brightens my day. And my friend Michelle from work sends a card with beautiful inspirational words after every chemo. Without all the support and prayers from all of you I'm not sure we could have made it this far in our journey. JR said that surgery for him marks the halfway point....chemo and surgery followed by radiation and then reconstruction at some point. We continue to write in our blessings journal and it is a great reminder of the good friends God has given us and the many blessings he has bestowed on us.

We are excited for June...to be done with chemo first off and for me to gain my strength for surgery. AND...we are going camping to Priest Lake the 6th to the 11th. After the bad weather than cancelled our Farragut trip I don't think JR is going to let anything get in the way of Priest Lake as it will probably be our only camping trip this summer. We were there last year in the snow but it was ok because we have a trailer and we just boosted the heat but we are praying for better weather this year! JR thinks it will be a great family time. We have been busy with doctor appts, chemo, scans, and just feeling yucky and worn out that the kids have kind of been on their own. This time together for almost a week without those distractions will be great! And then we are SOOOOOO EXCITED because my sister and her family will be coming from California on the 13th for a week. She has 2 girls and Katie is beyond jubilant to have some "girl time."

I know summer gets busy for everyone but please don't forget us...we love to hear from you! And don't forget to check our blog every once in awhile as I will update it as often as I can.