Done, Done, Done!

I haven't posted in quite a while.  This is a good thing in my mind because, as the title of this blog says, "Life is boring and this is good!" 

I have been receiving my Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks, with the last one on September 6th. That evening I flew down to Alabama to help my wonderful sister, Nancy, celebrate her 50th birthday.  She also kept telling people that we were also celebrating the end of the chemo!!  It actually felt odd leaving Dr. Andrew's office without an appointment for another treatment.  The nurses in the infusion area cheered for me and hugged me as I left that day!  Really wonderful people!

This past Monday, September 24th, I had a minor surgical procedure to remove the MediPort that had become so important to me for the last year.  All went well with this simple surgery - Mike and I were home from the hospital before noon.  But to me it was a truly milestone day - the official end of my cancer treatment!!!  I am done!!! Except for my twice yearly visits to the oncologist for followups, I am no longer a cancer patient.  It is now behind me!!!  Cancer is not part of my daily life anymore and there isn't even the physical port left anymore to remind me of it.  True - I obviously am not the same person physically that I was before the cancer diagnosis but I love the feeling of not being a cancer patient anymore.  I am now officially (at least to me) a cancer survivor.  I have survived the diagnosis, surgery and treatment!!! Yeah!!!  It is nice to really start making plans again for the future, both near and far.

And I really am looking forward to my "boring life."  I love that boring life - a little fun is always good but I don't want or need any more big curve balls thrown at me. 

The constants for the past year have been Mike, of course. - my "rock!"  Also my entire wonderful family - whether sending cards, calling me or Mike for an update, keeping me in their prayers or just listening to me talk when I needed it.  And of course my Father in heaven, in whose grip I felt so safe.

Thanks to all who have read my blog and followed my "ramblings" for the last year.  Writing this has been really good for me and it allowed me to get my thoughts out on "paper" (or computer screen) and save them.  As I have said, I don't journal and have never kept a diary.  But it is interesting and theraputic to be able to go back and read where I was at at various points throughout this journey.  And I am so looking forward to a long and healthy future!

"Normal" Feels So Good!

It has been over a month since I have written anything.  January was a tough month.  My last TCH chemo infusion was on December 27th.  As expected the side effects were the worst, especially the weakness and fatigue.  Even walking from room to room in the house was difficult.  This lasted for several weeks - causing me to have to postpone my return to my job at St. Tims.  I didn't even know if I would even be going back at all.  I saw the doctor, was told I was very dehydrated and received 2 bags of fluids IV.  I was feeling better, but not great, by the time of my next infusion, this time only the H - Herceptin.  Herceptin alone doesn't have the severe side effects of the T and the C. During  the routine blood work prior to this infusion, they discovered that I was severely anemic.  My hemoglobin was 7.4 and it should be over 12 - 14.  Dr. Andrews felt that this was a result of the chemo and that we should wait a few days to see if it would come up on its own, which it didn't so on January 24th I had my third transfusion.  I don't know if it was the transfusion or just the passing of time but I finally started to feel normal.  I'm not back to my full strength and stamina but for the first time in 5 months I can say that I feel somewhat "normal" and that is wonderful! 

After talking to Mike and praying about it, I decided to go back to my job at St. Tims.  I started back this past Tuesday and am really happy about it.  I have felt good at work, but am tired when I get home.  It is a "good" tired though , and even that feels better.  And it is so good to get off the couch and back to the world with other people.

I have my next Herceptin infusion next week but it should be fine.  I will still have MUGA scans to monitor my heart for damage and will need to see the oncologist for years to come.  But the worst of the treatment  is hopefully behind me.  The support and prayers of family and friends has been so important to me and really helped me.  Thanks to everyone!!    And thanks be to God!