Today they disconnected me from that horrible pump and I am through with chemo!
The doctor said she was proud of me, that not many people make it through the full 12 sessions and that I had done very well. The nurses all hugged me and one thanked me for being "precious." I asked her what she meant and she said that I always had something nice to say, I was considerate, and never complained and she wished all their patients were like that. My husband was with me and he thanked all of them for taking such good care of me.
I will see them again, now and then. I have to see the oncologist every three months for the first year, then every six months for a while. They'll test my blood for markers that colon cancer puts out and as long as none of them show up, I'm okay. I do have to have another CT scan in a month, and if the scan shows nothing then I can schedule the removal of my port. I'll be glad to get that off my chest. Literally!
The doctor was considerate enough to ask about my school schedule and promised we'd get all of the tests done before I start school in August. Then she looked at my husband and said "I think this young lady deserves a night out to celebrate the end of chemo, don't you?" He said yes, of course, then she said "But not until next week, let her get over the sickness from this last treatment first."
I love my doctor. She is the best.
I cannot express how happy I am to be through with all this. It's just an amazing feeling.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Yay, Belle! I'll continue to pray that everything goes well, but for now, Yaaaaaay!
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
YAY BELLE! *HUG!*
Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
YAY!!!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Oh, forgot to mention. I've lost four more pounds, which makes 12 total since I began trying to monitor my eating better. I'm really excited, because if I'm already losing weight when I'm too weak to exercise much, then I expect to be able to keep it going when I hit the gym this fall after school starts back.
Posted by Demonstrocity (Member # 9579) on :
awesome. Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Oh, Belle, that is FANTASTIC!!!! Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
WOO HOO! That is really great to hear.
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
Great work, Belle. Excellent news!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Yay! Posted by amira tharani (Member # 182) on :
Yay! Excellent news, Belle!
Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
Hooray! I hope you continue doing well. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Yay! Yay! Yay for Belle!
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
It's about time! I know how you've been waiting for this. Congrats. Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
Belle, Just YAY!!!! I am so happy for you. I am so glad you are doing well. I am so happy for your family. Woohoo!
{{{{Belle and Family}}}}
Yay for great doctors and nurses and health workers all around!
Stay healthy. Stay happy.
Posted by BaoQingTian (Member # 8775) on :
Belle, that is amazing and great news! Good job you and good job your doctors!
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
What great news, Belle! That's fantastic!
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
YIPEEEEEEEEE! I pray that the rest of the journey goes smoothly with no setbacks.
Enjoy your celebration You deserve it!! Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Congratz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
How wonderful!!!
When our patients had finished their last treatment we used to gather the office and nursing staff together and do the chicken dance for them (with the assistance of a musical toy chicken).
*does chicken dance for Belle*
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO Belle!!!!!!! This is the most awesome news ever! Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Yay! *happy for you*
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
That's great!!!
x a million!
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Congratulations on accomplishing such a feat, may this disease ever remain behind you Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Great news Belle!
Posted by ssasse (Member # 9516) on :
Yay Belle, you steel-spined woman, you! What an awesome feat!
*dances
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Wonderful!!!!!!
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I am SO happy for you! And proud of you too!
It's been a while since we've had such a sincere outpouring of smiley icons in a thread. I love it!
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Awesome, Belle! Here's hoping the follow-ups are all fabulous. Enjoy your night out next week!
Posted by Chanie (Member # 9544) on :
I've been following your story, and am very happy that it was such a success.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Thanks everybody.
You know, I really am floored when I think about all my many blessings. I was blessed in the doctors I had, every one was wonderful and caring and I truly feel like they all did their best for me. I could not have asked for better nurses. NOt only were they great at their job they were compassionate, friendly, and made those long hours at chemo, if not enjoyable, bearable. My family has been right by my side ready to help me with anything. My friends, and I include all you guys in this, have supported me and lifted my spirits when I was down.
I can't say I'm glad I got cancer, but I do think this last year has been an important time in my life. I've learned a lot about myself, my faith, and what true friendship and love is all about. I do think I'm a stronger person, and one that appreciates life and all the wonderful gifts I have a bit more than I used to.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Yay!
That is wonderful news Belle. You are an amazing and gracious woman and I wish you all the best with the rest of your recovery. Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Dang, that makes me get almost weepy... A beautiful thing to say
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I am so happy for you!
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Go girl! That is great news!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Posted by Sharpie (Member # 482) on :
That's great news .
Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
You know how you have those days where you're blah till something unexpected makes you feel wonderfully good all over? Your post just did that for me. I'm so happy for you, Belle.
space opera
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
I don't know if I'd be strong enough to go through a full course of chemo. I'm glad you were.
Congratulations, Belle. To a poison-free life. *clink* Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
I'm so happy for you, Belle, and I hope you look forward to many long years ahead.
(((((Belle)))))
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!
woo woo!!! way to go!!!!
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
I think she deserves a gigantic cake !
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
Yay!!
I'm like Space Opera, a very blah day for me. It's nice to hear great news at the end of it!
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Belle, I know it wasn't easy. I am very glad for you and your family, and I wish you the best.
Not everyone finds such nice things to say about the people who gave her the chemo. It just shows what a special lady you are. Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
this is wonderful Belle Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
YES!
My girlfriend's uncle just came through chemo, too, recovering from stage three cancer. This is GREAT, Belle! Congratulations!
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Great news, Belle! Here's hoping this whole mess stays behind you! (((Belle)))
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
<~ My severely understated congrats!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Well the doctor's office called and they did manage to get the scan and everything scheduled before my first day of school. I will have the scan on the 14th and see her on the 16th.
I know it may seem weird, after all I've been through, but that scan is really, really important to me. It's as if I need to hear the confirmation "Hey, the scan is clean there's nothing there" before I can really start believing this is going to be over. Not that it will ever be truly over, I'll always have to be watched closely by a gastroenterologist (and yes, a colonoscopy is in my future and one a year probably from now on.) But it was the scan that first found the tumor, so having a a clean scan will really let the relief sink in.
I know that might sound a little silly, but it's true. As if the words of my wonderful doctors and my own rational brain aren't enough (no jokes please about how irrational I can be at times, please ) I need this test to really confirm things for me.
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
I can't believe I missed that - yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! I'm so glad for you Belle! *hugs*
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Congratulations. I lived with a relative who went through chemo and I know how tough it can be to face those sessions.
Here's hoping for a clean scan, Belle.
Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :
Belle, I'm so glad for you. You are an amazing woman.
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He said yes, of course, then she said "But not until next week, let her get over the sickness from this last treatment first."![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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