CHEMOTHERAPY IS OFFICIALLY OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i just got my last dose around 2pm today...and went over two hours....it was glorious.
I thought I'd be a lot more emotional but I'm not. That just meant, I was ready and it was my time for it to be over. I asked about my picc line and they weren't sure but the response I got was that even though chemo drugs itself is done, for about two weeks I still have to get labs done, I'll still feel awful some days, and probably still need blood transfusions. So unless I want to be stuck with a needle every M,W, F and whenever I need blood......I'll just keep it in. What's another couple days. So really, I don't think of myself being totally done YET.....even though I am.....It'll be more "real" to me once I get this thing out of my arm and I'm feeling normal on my own. :)
Anyways, today was totally uneventful. I'm SOOOOOOOO tired because no one lets me sleep around here and when I try to...i have to use the restroom or I'm cold or I get hot or I'm hungry or I get a text message....SOMETHING. I was hoping to get out today but the attending doctor was out today and they had a cover...aka someone who knows nothing about whats REALLY going on right now. So I'll bother the attending doctor tomorrow....I like this doctor and he usually works with me so we'll see what happens.
I'm hoping that I actually get sleep tonight since chemo is OVER but we'll see. they always have me doing something.
Well that's all I got for today. I wish it was more exciting but I can't help that.
It's been a LOOOOOOOONNNNGGGGGG hard road for me but I survived....and have a pretty good blog (from what I've been told) to tell the story. Right now I can't believe I just went through this whole thing. It literally seems like just a few days ago I was sitting in Mercy Hospital wondering what was wrong with me and how I thought I'd be going back to work in a week or something. Well.....219 days later, we have arrived at the light at the end of the tunnel and all I can do right now is smile. :)
I can't wait for my hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows to grow back....i sure have missed them....and for these god awful skin rashes to go away. I still have about a month of recovery and all that but....I'm never going to have to spend nights in the hospital for chemo again. and that my friends....is awesome.
I want to thank everyone one of my loyal readers who has followed me since diagnosis. I feel like I had a lot of people follow my journey because of this blog. There were days that seemed impossible to get through and somewhere in there I gained the strength to make it....and i credit all that positive energy towards those who read and followed my blog religiously.Because through my blog I know I got daily prayers, positive thoughts, and overall positive energy sent my way when I needed it the most...and even when I thought I didn't.
Even people I don't know who have probably creeped on my blog or stumbled on my blog because they became fascinated with this random girls life....I'm glad there was something that kept them coming back because in the future, you just never know if this could help you or someone you know get through a rough time.
And for my students and loving coworkers....not even co-workers, friends, at the best school in the world.....thank you. I cannot even begin to say how much of my drive and positive energy should be credited to you. Students....it makes me tear up that I had to miss some of your most important 8th grade events because I was sick. I tried my hardest to stay in touch because I didn't want you all to have the negative perception that comes with the scary word "cancer." I wanted to teach (go figure!) you to turn something bad into something good and that happiness is really about your attitude and not necessarily a destination. Some of the best advice and words of encouragement came from you all through your cards, letters, pictures, and even hospital visits. It made me realize how much of a family we really were (fights, arguments, jokes, and all) inside the best purple classroom ever. All the stories that I hear from the teachers about your concern for me made my hospital days worth it because I knew with every hospital visit....I was that much closer to getting back into the classroom and continuing my lesson. I hope you all have taken something away from this and will remember it for a lifetime....I mean, how many other students can say that their 8th grade teacher was SO awesome that she beat cancer at 24? :)
And last but never least....my backbone through this ENTIRE thing. Emily, Debbie, Sarah, Sara, Krystina, Heather, and Lisa. You ladies have been my absolute rock. From the late night runs to the Emergency Room, the long hospital nights & early mornings we had together, the random chemo cravings you all had to put up with (we probably ate a thousand wings), the long talks that either ended in tears or laughter, the decorations for my room when I needed it the most, the birthday party, kim out of the hospital, kim going into the hospital celebrations and everything in between....I could never have done it without you. I literally owe you my life.
I could seriously go on for days about all the people who have helped me get through this journey....but I'm tired. I'll continue more tomorrow but for now, I'm barely keeping my eyes open and dry (yeah, i started to tear up....so what??) So for now....I'm going to look at chemo and cancer as something else on my list of life accomplishments and simply check it off....and move on. Next stop.....Maui Marathon!! :)
We did it....
219 days later....
I can say....I'm a survivor.
:)
Have a good day...be thankful..
love,
kim
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