I have had the song, Sixteen Candles Chemos, running through my head all week. My 16th, and final, round of chemo is today! When I get home there should be cake and champagne! Of course I won’t feel like partaking until sometime this weekend, but still.. it should be there. Naturally the only #16 candle I can find is pink (and very big.. sorry) 
On the home and health front, these last few rounds have kicked my ass. Not enough to require any kind of medical intervention in between visits, just really exhausted. I feel like I am moving through thick mud most of the time. And my “achy joints” have morphed into some pretty severe bone pain at times. I have one finger on one hand that keeps blistering and peeling. It was the whole hand last week, steroid cream cleared up 4 digits, but the index finger is being difficult. It is also twice as big as it’s counterpart at the moment and on my surgical side. I’m hoping it’s not a sign of lymphadema, though I only had one lymph node removed. We’ll see.
On the blog front, I haven’t had a whole lot to say, but I’ve been reading the blogs I follow daily. I see a lot of writing “assignments” or challenges and lots of awards. I think it would be fun to participate and then I have nothing to say. Which is not like me at all. I’ll keep reading, though, and maybe inspiration will come.
Today I find out what comes next. I know I will be spending the better part of my summer vacationing in Chernobyl. Other than that, not sure when I see my surgeon to have the port removed or when I start Tamoxifen, what scans I have when, etc. etc. I have been kind of coasting along during chemo and as long as I am “doing something” I feel okay with this whole cancer business. Ending chemo feels like a milestone, but for some reason it’s also making me feel a little uneasy. My genetics appointment is coming up soon. I have very mixed feelings about that. Obviously, it’s important. On the other hand, I’m not ready to hear my whole treatment plan should have been different based on the results or my 20 something daughters have to start making tough decisions about their own future health. But, for them, my sister and cousins I will go.
While googling 16 Candles I saw this funny. For you Molly Ringwald fans
mainelyhopeful 
Woo hoo congrats on completing this phase of your treatment. It’s all good from here on in 🙂
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I’m counting on it, Susan!
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So happy you’re to this point. Can’t wait for you to have cancer completely on your back side. :Hugs
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❤ Sandy
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Congratulations…..I wish you the best. You’ve certainly earned it.
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Thank you
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So happy to hear from you. You have been in my thoughts. Celebrating today with you! You are amazing.
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Thanks for thinking of me 🙂
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Thank God you are at the end of this phase…the road up from this last one can be hard, but you can do it – after all, you have made it this far. Walking thru mud is a great analogy and the bone pain part is something I can relate to because I had horrible bone pain from round one of chemo. It is something that is hard to describe and have someone understand unless they have been through it. I am so sorry you have this going on at all. It just sucks. I must not follow enough blogs cause I haven’t seen challenges or awards but would like to ! Good luck on your sides passing this week and becoming a distant memory. Hang tough as I know you will !
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It is hard to explain isn’t it? I thought the joint pains I was experiencing earlier were it. Not so much
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Congrats! So happy you’ve made it…now comes the next chapter…one baby step at a time! You can do this!
xo
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Yes I can!
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I’m happy for you that this part is over. Your strength is an inspiration to cancer patients following in our footsteps. I hope your meeting with genetics goes well and that radiation doesn’t take too much out of you.
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Thank you! After chemo, I expect radiation to be a cake walk. We shall see!
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So glad you are entering the final phase of chemo. Gear up for radiation, it’s not as easy as you think it could be. Positive thoughts and white light heading your way.
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Congrats on being done with the chemo, it’s such a relief, soon you will be feeling a whole lot better.
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Congratulations, it is such a relief ….I know xxgood luch
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or even good luck
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Thanks 🙂
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That is great news! I am so happy for you and will continue checking in xoxo ~sherry
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Dear Mainelyhopeful,
You are such an inspiration! I couldn’t string words together to type cogent thoughts while in the midst of chemo. You’re amazing! Congratulations for climbing mountains with such grace! Hugs, L.
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You’re a amazing, and an inspriration.
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Congratulations Susan. Finishing is such a great feeling. Thanks for your wonderful post!–Susan
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